Resultaten voor 'david n thomas'

The Boundaries of Change in Community Work

Since the late 1960s, community work had emerged in its own right as an occupation with an increasingly important contribution to make both to ways of thinking within the field of social policy, and to day-to-day social work practice and the resolution of pressing community issues. Its practitioners had grown in numbers and experience, while community work ideas and methods continued to influence developments in a variety of other 'neighbouring' occupations. Originally published in 1980, the editors of this NISW collection suggest that if community workers are to remain effective, then they must stay on the boundaries of the agencies that employ them and of the groups with whom they work. This theme of the 'boundary nature' of community work is examined in detail in the Introduction and is subsequently taken up by the other contributors to the book.This title is organised under three main headings - a survey section on the history, philosophy and theories of community work in the United Kingdom; a series of case studies that suggest the diversity of the interests of community work; and an analysis of the growth of community work as an occupation and the spread of its influence through related professions and disciplines. This mix of theory, practice and analysis made the book of special importance both to practising community workers and to community work teachers and students at the time. In addition, the book would have been of direct interest to community oriented administrators, professionals, teachers and students in other human service fields such as health, education, housing, planning and the personal social services, as well as to elected members and administrators in central and local government more generally. It will now be welcomed by anyone who seeks a critical account of the historical activities of community work, written by experienced practitioners and teachers.

Community Work

The growth of interest in community work during the seventies was very marked. But while much had been written on the actual practice of community work, there was for too long a lack of British material on the vital subjects of useful theory, training and the development of skills. In this title, originally published in 1977, the authors brought together for the National Institute for Social Work experienced teachers and practitioners of community work in an integrated and carefully structured textbook which would further understanding of the means through which community workers develop their knowledge and skills; it would be widely welcomed by all those involved in aspects of community work - as teachers, students, practitioners, supervisors and as local authority training officers. The first part of the book has four chapters on the principle means through which community workers develop their skills within their employing agencies. Part two deals with theories and the contribution made to community work by the social sciences, group work, research methods and management and planning studies. The last part of the book contains three papers which examine the major problems and issues in the placement, learning experiences and assessment of students on field work.

1. David N. , Thomas

Organising for Social Change

Originally published in 1976, the aim of this book was to understand the contribution of community work to meeting some of the problems to be found in many of Britain's inner city neighbourhoods. It describes the community work process and the tasks, roles and skills of the professional community worker as he interacts with neighbourhood groups and service agencies. The author also indicates some of the strengths of collective action and its likely benefits and costs to those who participate. The book includes an examination of how to effect changes in the delivery of services from statutory and voluntary agencies, as well as an assessment of the community project of which the author was a staff member. The book is a contribution to the theory of community work and practice, and it is based upon the experience of those who worked in, and used, the Southwark Community Project, established by the National Institute for Social Work. It was written for practitioners, teachers and students of community work, as well as for other closely involved in community affairs such as teachers, playground workers, planners and social workers.

1. Paul , Henderson
2. David N. , Thomas

Skills in Neighbourhood Work

Skills in Neighbourhood Work is a practice textbook. It explains the skills, knowledge and techniques needed by community workers and other practitioners to work effectively in and with communities. While the principles and methods it describes have stood the test of time, the political, economic and social changes which have taken place since the book was first published have made new editions essential. Rewritten and updated to include new practice examples, this fifth edition retains all the practical information needed by the student or practitioner but sets it in the contemporary context. Including a European perspective and views from North America and Australia, it covers:Starting, supporting and ending work with community groupsEvaluationData collectionGoals and prioritiesMaking contactsGroup work Helping groups work with other organisations.This invaluable textbook is essential reading for students and practitioners of community work.

Arctic Ecology

Arctic Ecology The Arctic is often portrayed as being isolated, but the reality is that the connectivity with the rest of the planet is huge, be it through weather patterns, global ocean circulation, and large-scale migration patterns to name but a few. There is a huge amount of public interest in the 'changing Arctic,' especially in terms of the rapid changes taking place in ecosystems and exploitation of resources. There can be no doubt that the Arctic is at the forefront of the international environmental science agenda, both from a scientific aspect, and also from a policy/environmental management perspective. This book aims to stimulate a wide audience to think about the Arctic by highlighting the remarkable breadth of what it means to study its ecology. Arctic Ecology seeks to systematically introduce the diverse array of ecologies within the Arctic region. As the Arctic rapidly changes, understanding the fundamental ecology underpinning the Arctic is paramount to understanding the consequences of what such change will inevitably bring about. Arctic Ecology is designed to provide graduate students of environmental science, ecology and climate change with a source where Arctic ecology is addressed specifically, with issues due to climate change clearly discussed. It will also be of use to policy-makers, researchers and international agencies who are focusing on ecological issues and effects of global climate change in the Arctic.

Public Policy in Asia

Drawing upon experts in Asian economics, public management, law, and the physical and political sciences from leading universities around the world, the editors of this unusual volume examine the critical challenges now facing this important sector of the world: growth, income security, and fiscal reform; governance and public management; and technological innovation and the environment. The contributors address these policy questions from a variety of perspectives, recognizing their complexity and multidisciplinary implications. The result is a balanced mix of theory, applications, and case studies, providing depth and substance in a readable manner. Specialists in public policy and international commerce in fields of government and business will find this wide-ranging book, with its many challenging conclusions, to have broad, useful relevance to their studies and applications to their work.For thirty years, Asia has been experiencing rapid economic growth and transformation. Higher standards of living, social and demographic transitions, and rising expectations have had a profound impact on many aspects of public policies in the region. Policy makers have found some issues, such as government finance and poverty reduction, easier to address, while issues such as the need for social safety nets, economic competition, and corporate governance have been relatively neglected. The 1997 economic crisis, the causes and implications of which are still being debated, complicated matters significantly and raised the stakes in the task of solving public problems. It is in this context that comparative public policy with an Asian focus has emerged as a subject of study in its own right. And it is that which the volume editors and their contributors explore now. In doing so they help to set an agenda for the worldwide policy debate already looming.