Abstract

This book is a guide to understanding the important issue of stigma - `associated disadvantage' - which affects not only those who are excluded from society, but also family members and friends.

Social Work and Disadvantage explains the impact of stigmatization on siblings, families and workers in the caring professions and its consequences for the people it affects and for society as a whole. Contributors provide evidence from research and professional practice on transferability of health and social problems in, for example, dementia care patients, drug users and looked after children. Providing key messages for practice, they outline a range of protection measures to reduce the risk of stigma and victimization.

Social Work and Disadvantage provides valuable advice and guidance for social work and health care practitioners, educators and students.

`Social work and disadvantage is both educative and enlightening. The level of sensitivity needed, combined with a dogged determination to continue improving the service, is impressive. A useful read for therapists.'
Therapy Today, March 2007, Vol.18, No.2
`This book is intended for social workers and students of the subject, but really would be beneficial for anyone in the caring professions'.
Therapy Today, March 2007, Vol.18, No.2
`…it contains a wealth of information and much that is extremely thought-provoking. As one who has more than once urged colleagues to be more aware of the socio-political aspects of our work with vulnerable people, I would commend it.'
Accord Magazine (association of Christian counsellors)

`Particularly interesting was the chapter focusing on how stigma affects children in care. It was pleasing to discover that it covered a breadth of groups who are discriminated against, including drug users, and people living with HIV and Aids.

This book would be best used in social care education, as it offers a chance to think about why individuals work in social care and how negative attitudes may impact on the very people we are meant to be serving.'

Children and Young People Now, October 2007
`This is a very enjoyable, readable and theoretically sound book whose scope goes beyond social work. I recommended it to anyone involved in the delivery of health and social care, whether that person is a practitioner or an academic.'
Faculty of Health & Social Care