How to Survive in Social Work
With a Foreword by Dr Ruth Allen, An Afterword by David Jones and illustrations by Harry Venning
When the general secretary of a trade union and an author with a background in workplace well-being come together and they are both highly critical of austerity and the neoliberal ideology that gave rise to it, then it is perhaps inevitable that the book they decide to co-write will be on surviving in the modern workplace.
When you add to this the fact that they are both highly experienced social work professionals with a strong commitment to its value, it is no surprise that the title of the book should be How to Survive in Social Work.
Social work by its very nature is challenging and demanding work. But, in the current social, economic and political climate, it can prove extraordinarily difficult to keep your head above water.
Written by two highly experienced social work professionals, this important book explores the significance of that context, offers guidance on how to survive despite it and even to aim for thriving within it.
There are no easy answers, but there is much we can do to make sure that we are able to fulfil the potential and value of social work as a force for making our society a humane one without sacrificing our own health and well-being.
How to Survive in Social Work, is published by Avenue Media Solutions. It is available at £15.99 directly from the publisher or via Amazon Books.
Book Review:
‘This book provides an excellent exposition of how every social worker can take personal, professional and collective action – and not be alone. It clearly summarises key areas of theory and knowledge that will help social workers contextualise and understand their situations, why they may feel they way they do about work, and overcome feelings of powerlessness to connect and stay connected with their motivation and agency, and with each other.’
Dr Ruth Allen – Chief Executive Officer, British Association of Social Workers
