Introduction

This introduction presents an overview of the key concepts discussed in the subsequent chapters of this book. The book describes the social worker's toolkit, and deals with the technical and instrumental side of the social work professional: how can we as social workers proceed in an effective and efficient manner? It also describes the underlying social work theory, which is the person-interaction-with-the-environment-Empowerment Theory. The book focuses on making contact and maintaining contact and achieving careful closure after working with clients. It discusses the ethical foundations of social work; social work with all kind of client groups confronted with specific losses; and the social worker's own stress and self-care for social workers. The book focuses on technical and instrumental aspects could create the impression that individual methods are of paramount importance for effective assistance, quite separate from ethics and personal competence.