Overview

The authors bring more than 40 years’ experience in rural social work and community development to the challenge of providing good social care to the more than 6 million people who live in rural Australia, some in very remote locations. \nTheir book emphasises the importance of a developmental approach encompassing proper planning, evidence-based policy, and the influence which practitioners can have. The first part explains the processes for developing, implementing and evaluating policies and social plans, including achieving impact through networking, formal consultations, community development, and lobbying. \nPart two of the book looks at types of social care and the challenges each present. Those covered include: \n \n Community-embedded, where practitioners view themselves as part of the community \n Specialised, where the focus is on a particular target group or methodology \n Statutory, where the provision of social care comes with legislative responsibility \n Visiting, where the practitioner doesn’t live in the community but provides services on a visiting basis \nThe authors devote specific attention to Indigenous communities and, through case studies, provide examples of social care programs in action. \nThis is an invaluable book for practitioners and students of social work, nursing, education, psychology, community development, and social policy, as well as others who care for the social needs of rural communities on a voluntary basis.

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9781862876361

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Reviews

In this book, the authors take a broad approach to the notion of social care. They argue it is much broader than those services provided by professionals (such as counselling, or providing material/financial aid), and rather that social care is something that everyone participates in: professionals, service providers, organisations and individuals. Part One, social care development, looks at social policy (its development, implementation and evaluation); social planning at the local level; and community development. Part Two covers social care services and practice. Individual chapters discuss: individualised services and generalist practice; visiting services; specialised services; statutory services and mandated practice; and the benefits and challenges faced by practitioners who both live and work in the same community. Specific attention in the book is given to Indigenous communities and case studies are also discussed. This book would be of value to both practitioners who already work in rural communities, and students. - Family Matters (Australian Institute of Family Studies), 2007 No 77

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