Modern Social Work Theory, 5th Edition

Now in its fifth edition, this international best-selling textbook is a classic in its field. Written by one of the leading names in social work, it provides a comprehensive and critical overview of the main practice theories that will act as a companion for students throughout their course and their career as a practitioner. In this substantially reworked and updated edition of his best-selling text, Malcolm Payne presents clear and concise evaluations of the pros and cons of major theories that inform social work practice, and comparisons between them. This is the ideal text for theory, methods and practice modules on qualifying social work courses at undergraduate and postgraduate level, as well qualified social work practitioners taking post-qualifying and CPD courses.

Malcolm Payne is a writer, academic and consultant on social work, social care management and multiprofessional teamwork. Currently Policy and Development Adviser at St Christopher's Hospice, London, he was previously Director of Psychosocial and Spiritual Care at the Hospice. He has held academic posts at the University of Bristol, UK, Manchester Metropolitan University, UK and Opole University, Poland. He has honorary appointments at the Department of Social Policy, Helsinki University, Finland and the School of Social Care Sciences, Kingston University, UK.

Modern Social Work Theory is a worldwide best-seller renowned for its masterly overview and measured critique which come together to offer a complete and authoritative introduction to theories of social work practice. It draws on literature from across the world to trace the origins of social work ideas and how they develop, as well assessing their role and value based on scholarly debate and research. Compact and clearly structured, the book breaks down key issues in a way that is easy for students to grasp. As with the previous edition, the book is composed of two parts: Part I presents a general discussion about the place of social work theory in practice, while Part II reviews groups of related theories, from psychodynamic perspectives to ideas about humanism, existentialism and spirituality. Within Part II, each chapter has been significantly developed to follow a common structure which supports navigability and reflects the likely manner in which students will approach the text.

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