Linda Bell

Exploring various aspects of social work from an anthropological perspective, this original book uses an ‘outsider’ position to develop a reflexive dialogue with social workers from England and elsewhere in Europe. Bell, an anthropologist, worked alongside social work educators and social workers for many years. She widens our insights into social work by offering thought-provoking examples suggesting how social work practitioners view their occupation and their practice, and how wider society views them. Blending research and personal reflection to critically examine social workers’ preoccupations and contributions to society, the author explores identities and definitions in social work, making this book refreshing reading for academics, researchers, students and practitioners.

Exploring various aspects of social work from an anthropological perspective, this original book uses an ‘outsider’ position to develop a reflexive dialogue with social workers from England and elsewhere in Europe. Bell, an anthropologist, worked alongside social work educators and social workers for many years. She widens our insights into social work by offering thought-provoking examples suggesting how social work practitioners view their occupation and their practice, and how wider society views them. Blending research and personal reflection to critically examine social workers’ preoccupations and contributions to society, the author explores identities and definitions in social work, making this book refreshing reading for academics, researchers, students and practitioners.

Dr. Bell reports findings from a 40-year project studying marriages and families. The book provides a snapshot of long term marriages in the "Greatest Generation." These are couples who grew up during the depression and married after World War II. The book is primarily about more and less healthy long-term marriages. The research focuses on affection and respect in couples. Healthier couples demonstrate both affection and validation, both love, and respect for individuality. Couples say in their own words what it was like growing up during the depression, the importance of their relationships with they own parents, and how they met and married. Also what kinds of supports and challenges they faced living together and raising children. Finally, couples talk about what they think is important in a successful long-term marriage. They cover topics like commitment, integrity, and trust; similarity and complementarity, communication, compromise and humor. They also talk about friends, family, faith and finances.

Creating Love and Respect in Families reports findings from a 40-year research project which involved studying families in the U. S. and Japan; a total of 247 families were involved. This book is about the author's journey to learn about more and less healthy families, how those families affect the development of children, and the degree to which those influences persist into adulthood. The research focuses on affection and respect in families and how family patterns are reflected in the lives of family members, particularly children. Cultural similarities and differences between the U. S. and Japan are explored. Healthy families demonstrate both affection and validation, both love, and respect for individuality. Children are allowed to express their own ideas and feelings. Love doesn't have to mean agreement. Family patterns affect friendship patterns. The influence of family health during adolescence can be seen in the personal maturity of the adolescents. Family influence is still apparent in the lives and personal well-being of the grown children, in their relationships with their elder parents, and even in the families they create as parents. The book also includes a study of the parents' marriages through time, an overview of family systems, and a projective exercise for describing family systems.

This handy book is a one-stop introduction to research and evaluation for social workers. Including unique project examples, exercises, discussion points and extensive signposting to further reading, and drawing on the author's many years of teaching experience, it is essential reading for students who may be unfamiliar with research methods.

A framework of ethics and values forms the foundation of social workers' professional identities. Ethics and values should shape the way that social workers practice and how they impact upon the lives of the service users they work to support. In a fast-moving world influenced by shifting policy, tight budgets and changing practice standards, students and practitioners need to anchor their understanding of themselves to clear principles for ethical practice. Ethics, Values and Social Work Practice is a brand new text offering students and social work practitioners a contemporary and relevant introduction to the central role of ethics and values in their work. In addition to a grounding in the major trends in ethics applied to social work, this book also provides perspectives on:How to situate ethics and values in social work practiceHow to understand ethics as part of reflective practice as both student and practitionerHow ethics and values link to concepts of power, diversity and social justiceThe role of ethics and values in interprofessional and partnership working The guiding principles and ethics inherent in relationship-based social work. The book supports student learning by providing:Discussion points to allow time for individual reflection or ethical debates Case studies based on likely scenarios from practice, with reflection points to help social workers engage with the issues raisedChapter summaries and key points for social work practice to reinforce the relevance of your learning to real social work practiceA glossary of key terms as a reference for key ethics terms and concepts. Contributors: Pat Cartney, Jean Dillon, Souzy Dracopoulou, Ann Flynn, Alison Higgs, Mina Hyare , Colin Whittington, Margaret Whittington and Tom Wilks." This is an excellent edited reader providing students and practitioners with a grounding in ethics and values whilst linking these to specific practice and the development of professional identity, inclusion and reflective practice. This book will be an essential reader for those in qualifying social work programmes, ASYE staff, practitioners and academics." Hugh McLaughlin, Professor of Social Work, Manchester Metropolitan University, UK"This book provides an exceptional exposé of ethics and values in social work practice. Conceptual clarity and critical presentations of contemporary debates are presented in a systematic text. It is written in an accessible style and the content will prove valuable to social work students, practitioners and researchers alike. This is one of the most comprehensive books on ethics and values in social work practice available in the market." Professor Lambert Engelbrecht, Department of Social Work, Stellenbosch University, South Africa