Assessment & Intervention in Social Work

This book provides an interesting insight into the key issues facing social work practitioners involved in assessment. In particular I liked the approaches to thresholds and the competing issues which social workers face when assessing and intervening in the private life of individuals. Overall an accessible read and a book which achieves its goal of being easy to read from cover to cover or as individual chapters. Its readablity makes it a particularly good text for students or front line practitioners wanting to reflect on and improve their practice. -- Dr Ann Hodson * drupal *
Beckett′s text will prove invaluable to students at all levels of qualifying education in social work. Clear and accessible, this book will be invaluable in both class and practice settings. -- Dr Murray Simpson * drupal *
Well written and accessible introduction to the subjects. Will inform preparation for practice. -- Mr Colin Watt * drupal *
An ideal book for Social Workers returning to the profession, after a period out of practice. It compliments the teaching, and supports the shadowing placement element of the course. -- Mr Dave Mason * drupal *
An ideal book for Social Workers returning to the profession, after a period out of practice. It compliments the teaching, and supports the shadowing placement element of the course. -- Mr Dave Mason * drupal *
Superb book for all levels of study on the course and will be adopted as core text -- Mr David Bosworth * drupal *
Another great text by Chris Beckett which focuses upon key concepts of SW practice.

This text has diverse appeal that will make it desireable for undergraduates & post-qualifying practitioners / practice assessors. I particularly enjoyed the chapters on Assessment, Need, Judgement & Risk.

Chris′s writing style makes it both accessible & easy to read for students & SW educators alike.

Similar to Beckett′s previous text it has a broad teaching applications (across numerous BA & MA modules) with it′s contemporary case examples / studies, well crafted exercises, placement questions & useful comments.
I just wish I′d written it!

David Gaylard

-- Mr David Gaylard * drupal *
An essential introduction for qualifying students -- Mr Joe Smeeton * drupal *
Great book for examining assessment, which is core to social work practice.
-- Mr Justin Rogers * drupal *
I am not sure this is at Masters level. However, I will be strongly recommending it to undergraduate students on Risk and Protection. -- Mr Martin Kettle * drupal *
I found Chris Beckett′s book generally thorough and comprehensive and enjoyed reading it. It is well laid out, divided into core topics covering how we make judgements and then intervene. It is particularly useful I would think for newly qualified social workers who are starting out on their professional career, although the thoughtful, questioning style adopted throughout by Beckett could also be useful for experienced social workers in reconsidering their values and assumptions. As noted on the cover it is also useful for students in reflecting on their practice placements.
-- Mr Nigel Hall * drupal *
A good introductory text on assessment -- Mr Nigel Lempriere * drupal *
The focus on the placement setting (agency realities, role tensions, resource constraints) will make this book particularly appealing to students on placement. I would have liked the author to say a little more about the applicability of theory and research evidence, but this is available elsewhere and I feel the book is making a useful pitch as a ′real world perspective′ contribution. -- Mr Paul Mansfield * drupal *
Working in local authority and academia in the last few years has highlighted the challenges students face when embarking on a degree programme in social work, given the ever changing and ever uncertain environment we face.

Assessment & Intervention in Social Work -Preparing for Practice fills a specific need in systemically addressing the themes that runs through social work programmes.

The most important topics are covered here; the context [and history] of social work; the assessment process, and what underpins assessments; the nature of social work intervention, and what constitutes judgement. A chapter is, correctly, dedicated the concept of need. Beckett explores this nebulous and controversial area in depth.

Risk is covered and analyzed well, and Beckett argues, that it has serious political connotations. Even non-definable areas, such as seeing change in the service user or circumstance, after social work engagement and intervention, are explored.

Throughout Beckett makes use of realistic case scenarios and recommended literature to stimulate students to develop their knowledge base and broaden their academic and professional horizons.

What makes this book interesting is the fact whilst highlighting the multiple issues that social work students have to address; the author is realistically pragmatic throughout.

Whilst each of the chapters can stand alone, it is when one explores the themes as an integrated whole that makes it recommended reading to students to prepare for practice, and to meet the upcoming proficiencies and capabilities as practitioners.
-- Mr Rohan Burke * drupal *
This book provides a clear and authoritative approach to a difficult area of social work -- Mr Samuel Baeza * drupal *
Whilst I enjoyed this book, I felt that it could have covered some areas in greater depth but overall it was a useful resource. -- Mr Sean Brockbank * drupal *
A useful book with good solid concepts and practical guidance for student social workers. Will be adopted for our preparation for practice course. -- Mr Stefan Brown * drupal *
This book is a useful tool for students on placement, the writing is clear and uncomplicated, so is accessible for all students. Within each chapter are specific sections with questions to encourage students to reflect on how the practice within the organisation relates to the text and encourages further reflection of the student’s own practice, at an organisational level and also incorporating social work values and ethics.
The chapter on assessment is set out into stages, breaking down the process of assessment, and the thought processes workers use both consciously and unconsciously. Beckett acknowledges that different organisations may have differing requirements when it comes to the ‘paperwork’ aspect of assessment but points out that the thought processes and judgements made from them will require workers to go through a similar process in order to identify needs and subsequent methods of intervention effectively.
Beckett allows students to recognise the relevance of referring to social work theory within their work and how to apply this to their practice, while acknowledging that this process can be difficult in terms of actually pinpointing which theoretical approach is being used. Beckett suggests that assessment may be based on factual evidence, but any resulting intervention may require the use of theory and research to evidence why such decisions are reached and justify workers′ thinking and actions surrounding this.
Throughout the book Beckett stresses the importance of using assessment as a tool for making decisions regarding a course of action, and not to use it as a way of avoiding having to do this. In the chapter about judgement he highlights the difference between jumping to conclusions based on a small amount of information as opposed to prolongin,g the assessment process in order to put off having to make a difficult or painful judgement. He uses case studies to demonstrate how delaying decision making can have positive or detrimental effects in practice.
Beckett looks at a whole range of factors for students to consider when carrying out assessment and planning intervention, he covers issues such as judgement, risk and need in a thought provoking way, challenging views and encouraging students to reflect on their practice and the thought processes surrounding decisions they make. The book may be useful for both students and practice educators to inform their work and relate experience gained in placement to their academic studies. (reviewed by Sarah Farr, final year student)
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-- Mrs Dale Van Graan * drupal *
Highly recommend. Well written, good book -- Mrs Fiona Wilkes * drupal *
This text offers clear guidance on the practical application of assessment to support decision making. Although it is targeting social work practitioners, it has relevance to nursing course, especially ones focused on community nursing. -- Mrs Jillian Taylor * drupal *
A very comprehensive and insightful book which we are happy to recommend to students. Several students have used the book for their end of module assignment -- Mrs Julie Crawshaw * drupal *
Clewrly laid out book- useful for all levels on BA Social Work -- Mrs Marilyn Frost * drupal *
An excellent text for our social work students on practice placement modules -- Ms Alison Lamont * drupal *
This is an excellent text for students and practitioners in the field . Concisely and intelligently written, it is an accessible and helpful guide to social work process. -- Ms Anne Ritchie * drupal *
A useful practical approach. -- Ms Barbara Coulson * drupal *
The use of case examples is particularly useful in enabling students to link theory to practice -- Ms Jackie Hughes * drupal *
A good base book for students, also recommended to those on PQ course -- Ms Jenny Peddar * drupal *
Clearly structures, accessible intorductory text -- Ms Joan Fletcher * drupal *
Clearly structured, accessible introductory text on assessment and intervention i social work -- Ms Joan Fletcher * drupal *
I liked the very approachable, engaing style that encourages the reader to think through the areas presented. Themes are clearly explored - more suited to undergraduates and will use with these students primarily. Particualry liked the chapter on risk - for this alone I might well suggest that non SW AMHP trainees suplement their reading with this text -- Ms Judith Matthews * drupal *
Chris Beckett is always a good read and will undoubtedly be accessible to the students who are finding assessment abstract at the moment. -- Ms Noreen Maguinness * drupal *
Another well written text, informative when preparing lectures and clearly written so students feel able to read and reference it with confidence. -- Ms Rebecca Thorley * drupal *
A key text for this module. Very clear presentation of the issues. -- Ms Sally Stubbings * drupal *
User friendly guide to the world of assessment that covers key social work issues. -- Ms Sue West * drupal *
This is a clearly laid out book, with the crucial areas of assessment and intervention covered in an easily accessible manner for students. It includes case studies to help them apply their understanding to pratice situations. -- Ms Tracey Price * drupal *
Clear,highly readable - a great introduction for students as always with Chris Beckett′s books. -- Ms Val Howden * drupal *
A very helpful source for preparing students for practice -- Philip Gilligan * drupal *