Rural Social Work: An International Perspective

In much of the Western world the concerns of rural people are marginalised and rural issues neglected. This stimulating book draws upon a rich variety of material to show why rural social work is such a challenging and absorbing field of practice. It incorporates research from different disciplines and places to provide an accessible and comprehensive introduction to rural practice. The first part of the book focuses upon the experience of rurality. It indicates how social workers can understand the variability of different rural places, the social dynamics of life in small communities, and the experiences of people who live there, using studies from Australia, Canada, the US and the UK. The second part of the book turns to the development of rural practice, reviewing different ways of working from casework through to community development. It shows how working in rural areas requires a more ambitious and socially engaged approach to practice that is both demanding and rewarding for practitioners. It then addresses key issues in the recruitment, education, training and support of rural workers. This book is relevant to planners, managers and practitioners, not only in social work but also in other welfare services such as health and youth work, who are likely to face similar challenges in providing effective services in circumstances where resources may be scarce and workers are relatively isolated from professional support.