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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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'I'M NOT sure whether there are already a number of books written on this subject but no matter, at least there is one. If there is on topic about which there requires to be a forensic inquiry into its origins, then it is stress in the social work profession... This is a readable and worthy book which should be core reading for students, experienced workers and managers.'

- Rostrum

'... this is the first book that I have come across that explores the emotional stresses and pressures of social work as a main topic or issue.
In Social Work Under pressure Dr van Heugten presents issues of workplace stress in social work in the context of theories of "stress" and stress management in an easily understood and very readable way... This book will be of interest to managers, practitioners and social work students alike. Social Work Under Pressure introduces and explores in an accessible manner a number of the elements that are fundamental to a successful and long career in social work.'

- IASW (Irish Association of Social Workers)

'van Heugten('s)... discussion of the increased stressors relating to bureaucratic tasks and a lack of control seem to have put a lot of my personal experiences of working as a frontline social worker into a context that made me able to understand better where my own reactions were 'coming from'... I'd definitely recommend this book to managers, practitioners and social work students as it introduces a lot of elements that are fundamental to a successful and long career in social work and social care as well as health services... It is easy to read and there is a good use of quotations and personal experiences, including the authors' own experiences of personal stresses.'

- Fighting Monsters' blog

'This book highlights the stressful situations confronted by those at the frontline of society's problems. It is a must read for those concerned about the health and wellbeing of practitioners of this most important occupation, social work.'

- Professor Cary L. Cooper, CBE, Distinguished Professor of Organizational Psychology and Health at Lancaster University Management School, UK

'This is an important book: social workers have to deal with increased stress in society - the fallout from the "financial tsunami of 2008". Kate van Heugten brings a sophisticated understanding of the challenge and immediacy of stresses that are experienced by social workers. Building on this expertise she locates the idea of stress theoretically at the interplay of the personal and professional to explore modes of stress management.'

- Professor Steven M. Shardlow, Chair of Social Work, University of Salford, UK