Social Work Theories in Action

Mary Nash is a Senior Lecturer in Social Work at Massey University in New Zealand. She is co-editor of Spirituality and Social Care, also published by Jessica Kingsley Publishers, and has published on social work fields of practice, social work history, and feminism and spirituality. Robyn Munford is Head of the School of Sociology, Social Work and Social Policy at Massey University. She has published widely on social and community work and disability studies, and her research on families has gained international recognition. Kieran O'Donoghue is a Lecturer in Social Work at Massey University, currently doing doctoral level research into supervision. He has worked in probation and community mental health services, and was Programme Coordinator for the Diploma of Social Work at the Waikato Institute of Technology, New Zealand.

• Foreword. Professor Jim Ife. Introduction: Integrating Theory and Practice. Part 1: People in their environments. 1. The Ecological Systems Metaphor in Australasia. Kieran O'Donoghue and Jane Maidment, Central Queensland University, Australia. 2. An Ecological Understanding of HIV Practice in South Africa. Christa Fouché, Massey University, New Zealand. 3. Complexity and Context: An Ecological Understanding of Trauma Practice. Carole Adamson, Massey University, New Zealand. 4. Integrated Practice in Mental Health Social Work. Mathew Keen, Psychiatric Social Worker, Palmerston North, New Zealand and Kieran O'Donoghue. Part 2: Developing Communities. 5. Community Development: Principles into Practice. Robyn Munford and Wheturangi Walsh Tapiata, Massey University, New Zealand. 6. Dreams are Free: Nga Moemoea a te Hapu Rachael Selby, Massey University, New Zealand. 7. Community Development: A Tongan Perspective. Tracie Mafile'o, Massey University, New Zealand. 8. Responding to Settlement Needs: Migrants and Refugees and Community Development. Mary Nash. Part 3: Working with Strengths. 9. Working with Families: Strengths-Based Approaches. Robyn Munford and Jackie Sanders, Massey University, New Zealand. 10. Strengths-based Practice in Statutory Care and Protection Work. Rodger Jack, Child, Youth and Family Services, Aotearoa New Zealand. 11. Bi-cultural Strengths-Based Supervision. Chris Thomas, Massey University and Sharlene Davis, Cultural Supervision Practitioner, New Zealand. Part 4: Attachment: Reworking Relationships. 12. Attachment Theory and Social Work. Sue Watson, Massey University, New Zealand. 13. Working with Adults who are Parenting. Nicola Attwool, University of Otago, New Zealand. 14. Attachment Issues and Work with Adolescents. Nikki Evans University of Canterbury, New Zealand, and Marie Connolly,Te Awatea Violence Research Centre, New Zealand. Conclusion: Integrated Theory in Action. Glossary of Maori and Pacific Words. Contributors. Index.

This edited collection from a New Zealand perspective makes an important contribution to understanding the complex issues involved in working with ethnic minority groups and indigenous First Nation people. Whist it draws on New Zealand and Australian case material, the themes and debates addressed in the book are relevant to all social workers. This is a text I will be drawing on in my teaching of social work interventions on an undergraduate social work degree programme, as it demonstrates in a clearly written and powerful way how social work theories and methods can be applied in practice settings in the promotion of anti-oppressive social work practice.