Communication skills are fundamental to effective social work practice.

Accessible and easy-to-read, Mastering Communication in Social Work is designed to help you develop these essential skills. It explores the basics of how communication works, the factors that influence how effectively you attend to and convey information, and how you can improve your communication. Particular attention is given to the challenges posed by difficult clients and the cultural dimensions of communication. Gast and Bailey put forward a reflective model for practice designed help you break bad habits and develop a wider repertoire of communication behaviours. Practice vignettes and exercises for the reader are included throughout.

This book is essential reading for social work students, practitioners, managers, practice teachers and assessors, and trainers, as well as those in allied professions.

Linda Gast is an independent trainer and consultant in the social care and criminal justice fields, and is an Associate of In-Trac Training and Consultancy. She provides training on diversity, equal opportunities, gender issues and staff supervision skills.
Martin Bailey is a trainer and consultant with a background in social care. He is an Associate of In-Trac Training and Consultancy. His special interest areas include communication with children and parents, staff well-being and behaviour change.

Introduction. 1. The Principles of Social Work Communication. 2. How Communication Works. 3. Diversity in Communication. 4. Communication where there is resistance or reluctance. 5. 'Doing' communication: a new approach to changing how we improve practice. References. Index.