Strengths-Based Practice in Adult Social Work and Social Care

A beautifully clear and much needed book, exploring many facets of strengths-based practice in adult social care from the underpinning theoretical concepts, to international developments through to practical application in a variety of contexts. Though pitched as a key text for student social workers, this book would be invaluable to any practitioner or senior leader who is interested in and passionate about this way of working

Dez Holmes, Director, Research in Practice

I found it an excellent overview of strengths based practice, including the origins of Strengths Based approaches , contemporary developments in UK and internationally and the promising indications of the positive impact of strengths based practice with individuals , families and communities both in adult social care and also children’s social care. This book provides a significant contribution to building the evidence base for strengths based practice and also helpfully highlights where further research , testing , learning and adaptation of the approach is needed.

Lyn Romeo, Chief Social Worker for Adults (2014-2024), England

This new book, which comprises a collection of articles from leading practitioners and academics in the field of strengths-based practice and social care reform, addresses for me two big questions for practitioners.

Firstly, how do you move beyond theory and apply strengths-based practice in the messy real-world of social work in financially straightened times? Through clear explanations, good examples, and tangible pointers, this book helps you think through how to apply strengths-based practice in the day-to-day practice.

The second question is ‘how do you change the leadership, culture and systems which surround the practitioner’? The authors of this book rightly grasp that strengths-based practice can only thrive, where there are strong supporting conditions and context.’

I recommend strongly that leaders, practitioners and people with an interest in social care reform read this book.

Ewan King, Chief Executive, Shared Lives Plus

This excellent book fully explores strengths based practice as a concept, what it means to people who draw on support and importantly, how it works in practice. Drawing on national and international examples and those from work with children and young people, it provides a much needed overview of contemporary practice models (with examples that bring them to life) and the strengths, challenges and evidence base for each. As such, it is a valuable resource for students of social work as well as practitioners, leaders and commissioners looking for an objective, thoughtful exploration of this fundamental approach to how we provide compassionate, holistic support and how organisations can nurture approaches that put people and what matters to them at the heart of practice.

Jenny Pitts, Programme Director, NDTI