1st Edition
Strengths-Based Practice in Adult Social Work and Social Care
Chapter One – Introduction to Strengths-Based Practice
Robin Miller
Chapter Two – International Developments in Strengths-based Practice
Robin Miller
Chapter Three – Evidence and Strengths-based Practice
Sharanya Mahesh
Chapter Four – Agency, Assets and Relationality - Conceptual underpinnings for strengths-based practice
Jerry Tew
Chapter Five – Strengths-based practice: Lived experience perspectives
Kar-Man Au and Sharanya Mahesh
Chapter Six – Local Area Co-ordination
Robin Miller
Chapter Seven – Social Prescribing
Robin Miller
Chapter Eight – Family and Group Conferencing with Adults
Sharanya Mahesh
Chapter Nine – Community Led Support
Sharanya Mahesh
Chapter Ten – Asset based community development
Robin Miller and Hanna Nel
Chapter Eleven – Three Conversations
Sharanya Mahesh and Naomi Russell
Chapter Twelve – A strengths-based approach to post-disaster practice and research
Louise Harms, Lauren Kosta and Lisa Gibbs
Chapter Thirteen – Strengths-based community development in South Africa
Hanna Nel
Chapter Fourteen – Tackling Homelessness: The strengths of the Housing First Approach
Marcus Knutagård
Chapter Fifteen – Strengths-Based Support for Pregnant, Birthing and Parenting Individuals who use Drugs
Rochelle Maurice, Mary Vaccaro, Saara Greene and Gabrielle Griffith
Chapter Sixteen – Restorative Practice with Children and Families
Hannah Bedford
Chapter Seventeen – Systemic Practice with Children and Families
Daniel Machin
Chapter Eighteen - Conclusion: Current Strengths and Future Opportunities
Robin Miller and Sharanya Mahesh
Biography
Robin Miller is Professor of Collaborative Learning in Health and Social Care at the University of Birmingham, UK. An applied academic who builds on his previous roles in practice and strategic management, Robin has an interest in integrated care, co-production, leadership, and how to better use evidence to inform health and social care practice and policy.
Sharanya Mahesh is a Research Fellow in Social Work and Social Care at the University of Birmingham, UK. She is a social worker with a practice background in community development and research interests including strengths-based approaches and innovations in adult 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
