Developing practice guidelines for social work intervention;issues, methods and research agenda

The book draws upon recent developments in intervention research and evidence based practice to demonstrate how such guidelines can be constructed. Enables the practitioner to both draw from and contribute to the growing body of effective practice with a variety of problems and populations. Addresses some of the challenges the social work profession currently faces. Bridges the gap between social work knowledge and empirically based practice. Although there is a significant need for the use of empirically tested and verified knowledge in social work practice, the empirical basis of support is nearly absent from practitioners’ considerations as they make clinical decisions in routine practice. Advocates the development of readily available, accessible, and professionally sanctioned practice guidelines for use by practitioners, a necessity in the age of managed care and demands for greater accountability, effectiveness, and efficiency in practice. Also features a much-needed discussion of racial and ethnic differentials in relation to practice guidelines and on the relationship between practice guidelines and different aspects of service delivery.