"In addressing the issue of conflict in a range of social work settings, this accessible text will have a broad appeal. It will be of particular interest to social workers during their education and training and in the early stages of their careers. Clearly written, with the inclusion throughout of reflective exercises and signposts to a broad range of additional material, this book will also be a very valuable resource for social work educators and managers."- Dr Martin Kettle, Senior Lecturer and Programme Lead, Glasgow Caledonian University, UK"This is a welcome and valuable contribution to the social work library. It draws on years of accumulated wisdom and practice knowledge to help social work practitioners negotiate the contentious territory of conflict and challenge. These are inevitable features of practice, and the wise and expert guidance that this book offers is only too welcome."- Roger Smith, Professor of Social Work, Durham University, UK"This is a well organised book, written in a clear style. It contains much helpful material to assist social work students, social workers and their managers when dealing with an important aspect of social work practice - conflict as experienced in a wide variety of settings and situations. Sound attention is given to the structural, legal, organisational and individual aspects of conflict in social work, with the helpful provision of extensive references, many key learning points, numerous reflective exercises and constructive recommendations for the use of additional resources."- Stewart Collins, Honorary Research Fellow, Bangor University, UK"In this well written and carefully crafted book the authors have sought to help readers to contextualise conflict, offering advice and guidance about how to respond in ways which are likely to be constructive. The book is a wonderful resource, underpinned by a clear set of values, with helpful exercises to support reflection and learning."- Professor John Devaney, Centenary Chair of Social Work, University of Edinburgh, UK"Social workers practice in a liminal place between their employers and people on the margins of society. Littlechild and his colleagues offer sage and practical advice for dealing with challenges across a range of social work fields. Whilst conflict often arouses fear it can be used positively to engender new, emergent ways of being. This positively framed book provides welcome insights and presents these accessibly and confidently. A must for the beginning social worker."- Dr Jonathan Parker, Professor of Society and Social Welfare, Bournemouth University, UKThis book offers guidance and practice development strategies for social workers on the causes of, and effective responses to, the many different types of conflicts that they may experience from the classroom to the workplace. In addition, the text sets out the complex, multi-layered and sometimes conflicting roles within social work settings, with the balancing of care and control functions, and safeguarding and empowering approaches.Based on evidence of the range, extent and effects of behaviour, the book offers advice on how you can best recognize and work with issues that can cause conflict. These include:Reluctant service user engagement, resistance, and oppositional behaviours.Aggression, threats, abuse, and physical violence.Safeguarding responsibilities for vulnerable people, including in domestic violence and vulnerable adults and children work.Sexist, disablist, and racist behaviours, or where someone is being negatively targeted, bullied or harassed because of LGBTQ+ status.Situations where there is poten
