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Social Work Under Pressure

Social Work Under Pressure

How to Overcome Stress, Fatigue and Burnout in the Workplace

Kate van Heugten

Paperback: £19.99 / $32.95

2011, 234mm x 156mm / 9.25in x 6in, 224pp
ISBN: 978-1-84905-116-3, BIC 2: JKSN JKS

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Stress, fatigue and burnout are serious problems in the social work profession. High case loads, staff shortages, budget cuts and the challenging nature of the job contribute to high levels of stress, and social workers can crack under the pressure.

This accessible book demonstrates how managers and practitioners can overcome workplace distress, fatigue and burnout by understanding the causes and implementing practical strategies. Part 1 outlines how stress, fatigue, burnout and trauma can be identified, how they impact upon social workers, and what strategies can help. Part 2 explores stress in particular settings, covering frontline practice, working with trauma, working with aggressive service users, bullying and violence in the workplace, and making mistakes. The book is rooted in the reality of everyday social work, incorporating the views and experiences of practising social workers.

This book is full of techniques and tips that will be invaluable to all social work managers and practitioners seeking to beat workplace stress overload and burnout.

Blog posts

Social Work Under Pressure – Fighting Monsters Blogger interviews JKP author Kate van Heugten

12 August 2011

"It is possible that social workers may be somewhat more prone to stress and burnout because their relationship with clients is so central to their work. Their work efforts revolve around empathy and understanding of service users’ situations and this can be draining. They may not have been assisted to know how to handle this inherent stress in their training, and they may not be aware that setting boundaries is critical to self-care."