Abstract

Practitioners in health and social care are often required to work with clients who do not want to work with them, and these 'reluctant' clients can often be the most challenging, but most rewarding, to work with.

This practical, jargon-free book covers all the issues that practitioners are likely to encounter in the course of working with reluctant clients. The emphasis is on making theory easy to use, and the book is written in an easily digestible and lively style. Topics covered include staying safe, verbal and non-verbal communication, making initial contact with a client, crisis situations, recording, and how to end work with a client. Activities to work through are included at the end of each topic and illustrations feature throughout.

This is an essential book for students, practitioners, voluntary sector workers and trainers in the fields of health, social care and social work.

This practical and very readable guide will be of great use to all those working with reluctant clients in health and social care. It covers a broad range of issues and offers sound advice which can easily be put into practice. I highly recommend it.
Chris Trotter, Associate Professor in Social Work, Monash University, Australia, and author of 'Working with Involuntary Clients: A Guide to Practice'.
Maggie Kindred has a lovely way of inviting the reader (perhaps reluctant?) to look at things from different angles and of allowing one to think things through... apparently in some sort of discussion with her.
Caring Times, John Burton
This easy-to-read text from retired social worker Maggie Kindred is a guide to essential communication with reluctant patients. It is relevant to nurses and nursing students, and is a useful starting point for mental health practitioners and those thinking of pursuing a career in mental health. The language and concepts are explained simply and clearly, and Kindred's language is non-judgemental and accepting in tone. Each of the book's 15 chapters has a summary outlining key learning points. It provides practical tips on personal boundaries and reading body language signals when working with complex patients. Situational risks for junior practitioners are explored, with examples of dilemmas such as accepting gifts.
Nursing Standard, Cathe Gaskell, Managing Director, The Result Company
Quite simply, this book focuses on what the title suggests, and deliveres for the reader. It is light-hearted, funny, useful and "on the money" in terms of what professionals in social and health care are often faced with in our respective work settings... Despite being a compact 140 pages in length, in my opinion it over-performs in all areas... A great little book, buy it and use it for training. I intend to.
Professional Social Work
This book"steps outside the mainstream and in so doing offers us nuggets of informed practice wisdom". It has an excellent chapter on non-verbal communication that should be essential reading for all staff as it reminds us of the process as well as the spoken word. Another strength is the use of practical examples that can be used for training as well as personal development work including supervision.
Martin Calder, Calder Training and Consultancy, UK
It provides useful points of critical reflection and exercises for the reader to question how they think and feel about issues. The years of experience of the author gleam through the wisdom within her writing.
Euro Vista: Probation & Community Justice Journal
Maggie Kindred is a retired qualified social worker and practice teacher with many years of experience. She spent several years as social worker and team manager for Westminster Social Services (as Maggie Cook) and a number of years as practice teacher and practitioner in Nottingham and Lincoln. Her particular interests lie in groupwork, communication skills and teamwork, and she has written several publications in these areas.