Designed as a practical guide, The Handbook of Residential Care presents a unique combination of real examples and case studies, analysis, guidance and reflective discussion. It brings together all areas of residential work and all levels of involvement in it, with an emphasis of direct personal work and everyday experiences. With checklists and action plans, the Handbook will promote effectiveness among residential workers - through self-management, building relationships, creating helpful organisation, and resisting bureaucratic and impersonal organisation.
Invaluable to all practitioners, team leaders and managers in residential care, the Handbook provides a wealth of new ideas and many challenges to established policy and practice.
Biography
John Burton
'This Handbook is refreshingly frank...It offers simple, practical advice to practitioners without ever becoming patronizing...perhaps the most important text to date produced on this subject. It will be a great help in training and in staff development but elected members, Directors of Social Services and other alumni of praxis would benefit from visiting this refreshing and energising text.' - British Journal of Social Work
`The wisdom of experience is the essence of this book. It conveys the living, feeling experience of being cared for and of trying to care in residential settings... there is much useful discusssion and training material for managers and workers in health, educational and social services ... offers an optimistic way forward.' - British Medical Journal
`I do not doubt that if residential care is to fulfil its liberating potential we will need more champions like John Burton. [The Handbook] captures superbly the complexities and potential of the demanding and difficult aspects of the residential task. Should be essential reading for all those with an interest in the subject.' - Des Kelly, Social Care Association
