Messy Social Work

Richard brilliantly encapsulates child protection practice, from both a personal and academically informed perspective, making this book a ‘must-read’ for social work students and practitioners. Richard’s story of his journey into social work, and his passion for the job, illustrated through episodes from practice, provide deep insights into this challenging and complex work. – Dr Tessa Godfrey, University Lecturer, University of GreenwichAs a Principal Social Worker, ‘Messy Social Work: Learning from Frontline Practice with Children and Families’ by Richard Devine resonated with some of my own practice experiences. This book enables us to reflect on our social Graces-gender, geography, race, religion, age, ability, culture, ethnicity, and sexuality-highlighting their impact on our work with children and families. Devine’s emphasis on social work integrity, particularly in balancing the rights of children and parents, mirrors the ethical dilemmas we face daily. His practical advice on assessment and decision-making, grounded in real-world scenarios, is invaluable. Overall, the book provides a realistic and insightful look into some of the daily realities and challenges faced by social workers, emphasising the importance of empathy, ethics, and effective case management. – Tapiwa Julius, Children’s Principal Social Worker

A vivid account of the challenges and rewards of social work. This should be read by all in social work management and civil service positions so they better understand the reality of practice.

Richard Devine is a qualified social worker with over 10 years’ experience, with an MSc in Attachment Studies, and is Visiting Researcher at Cambridge University.