The authors bring more than 40 years’ experience in rural social work and community development to the challenge of providing good social care to the more than 6 million people who live in rural Australia, some in very remote locations.
Their book emphasises the importance of a developmental approach encompassing proper planning, evidence-based policy, and the influence which practitioners can have. The first part explains the processes for developing, implementing and evaluating policies and social plans, including achieving impact through networking, formal consultations, community development, and lobbying.
Part two of the book looks at types of social care and the challenges each present. Those covered include:
- Community-embedded, where practitioners view themselves as part of the community
- Specialised, where the focus is on a particular target group or methodology
- Statutory, where the provision of social care comes with legislative responsibility
- Visiting, where the practitioner doesn’t live in the community but provides services on a visiting basis
The authors devote specific attention to Indigenous communities and, through case studies, provide examples of social care programs in action.
This is an invaluable book for practitioners and students of social work, nursing, education, psychology, community development, and social policy, as well as others who care for the social needs of rural communities on a voluntary basis.
