Cognitive-Behavioural Social Work in Practice appears at an interesting time for social work and social services. More than ever, practitioners are required to provide evidence for the effectiveness of what they do, while the rights of service users to ethically competent practice in which they are partners is high on the agenda. Drawing on a wide area of research, as well as the practice experience of its 18 contributors, it covers a broad range of cognitive-behavioural intervention with different client groups in a variety of settings, including child care, family work, probation and offending behaviour, mental health, disability and issues concerning older people. The first chapter sets out lucidly the theoretical and research basis for cognitive-behavioural practice and is rich in case examples. Each subsequent chapter adopts a case study approach to its subject, either by providing a single case study or by the detailed exploration of an area of practice combined with case examples. The volume is unique in not only bringing together practitioners and academics but in presenting the work of the 'academic, reflective practitioner'. It is thus an accessible, informative guide for professionals, students and educators who, with all their working pressures and constraints, strive to provide help based on best evidence.
