[Review] Relationship-based social work with adults

The introduction of this book positions relationship-based social work as a fundamental and essential component of professional practice, acknowledging a greater historical literary focus on relationship-based social work with children and families. This book proposes to redress that imbalance with a focus on relationship-based social work with adults across different specialisms. With legislative and policy changes over time impacting on how social work is practiced, the editors validate a necessary resurgence of this approach in social work with adults.

The book is structured into two distinct ‘parts’ each comprising several chapters with content that is supported with an impressive range of references. The first two chapters in Part One encourage the reader to appreciate the importance of relationship-based practice with adults by focusing on the theoretical, legislative and policy frameworks that are relevant to this approach. References for further reading are helpfully suggested at the end of both chapters. The final chapter in Part One (chapter three) introduces a defined model created by the editors (Heidi Dix and Jennifer Meade) that offers a specific framework for effective relationship-based practice with adults. The application of the IDEAS model (Influence, Delivery, Expertise, Alliance, Support) to different adult service user groups is helpfully explained in each chapter in Part Two. Reference to this model encourages the reader to reacquaint themselves with the core principles of promoting and supporting relationship-based social work with adults. The model is a useful tool that aims to encourage practitioners to consciously engage in critical self-evaluation of individual practice styles and approaches.