Bachelor of Social Work: Books & e-books
e-books
The library purchases and provides access to electronic books (e-books) for VU students and staff. You can link through to these from the library website and read them online. You will also be able to download some books for a set time to read.
These e-books are accessed through different companies and each will have different restrictions about downloading and printing. Follow this link to the library website and view the videos below for further information about accessing e-books, help guides and downloading.
Using e-books
You can read books online with any secure internet connection using the "Read Online" link.
Downloading to your computer requires the free software Adobe Digital Editions while downloading to a device requires a free app - Bluefire Reader or Aldiko Book Reader (for android only).
There are sometimes limits on the number of concurrent users for an eBook and often limits on how much you can print and copy. If you get a message saying the eBook is already in use, try accessing it later.
# For more assistance with finding and using eBooks, see our eBooks Guide.
Key Social Work Readings
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Our Voices : Aboriginal Social Work by The second edition of Our Voices is a ground-breaking collection of writings from Aboriginal social work educators who have collaborated to develop a toolkit of appropriate behaviours, interactions, networks, and intervention. The the text explores a range of current and emerging social work practice issues such as cultural supervision, working with communities, understanding trauma, collaboration and relationship building, and the ubiquity of whiteness in Australian social work. It covers these issues with new and innovative approaches and provides valuable insights into how social work practice can be developed, taught and practiced in ways that more effectively engage Indigenous communities.Publication Date: 2019 2nd ed. -
The road to social work and human service practice by The 5th edition of the Road to Social Work and Human Service Practice provides a comprehensive introduction to all aspects of practice in the professions of social work and the human services. It lays out the journey and expertly signposts the key areas of knowledge, skills, values, ethics, practice contexts and contemporary debates. Client and practitioner perspectives offer reflections on real-life social work and human services interventions, while new case studies show how theory can be applied to practice.Publication Date: 2021 -
Engaging with Social Work by This book provides a comprehensive introduction to the diverse and contested world of social work. It explores the key concepts and theoretical frameworks underpinning contemporary social work practice, as well as relevant professional skills and strategies from a critical perspective. In a rapidly changing world, it locates critical social work as a part of broader and ongoing struggles for social justice and human rights. Readers are encouraged to think about what social work is or should be, and what sort of social worker they would like to become. The book covers a broad range of topics, including the history and development of social work as a profession, values and ethics, theories for practice, and the fields and context of practice. Definitions of key terms, reflective exercises and case studies are integrated throughout the text. Written by a diverse team of experienced educators, this is a stimulating, rigorous and student-friendly resource.Call Number: ebookPublication Date: 2014 -
Working with Human Service Organisations by Working with Organisations teaches students to find a balance between working with clients and their employing agency. It will show students how to constructively, collaboratively and ethically engage within the organisational structure by providing them with the tools to advocate for professional values.The second edition uses an interdisciplinary introduction to working effectively with employing agencies appropriate for students across the human services industry.NEW TO THIS EDITIONNew and updated case scenarios and examples help students visualise restraints and opportunities they may encounter when working with organisationsImproved navigation includes signposting, chapter aims and an expanded table of contentsNew chapters on structure for Supervision and Management, Leading and Managing, and Collaborative and Integrated PracticeUpdated 'Stop and Think' questions encourage students to reflect on the implications for effective practiceCritically Reflective Practice encourages students to use critical thinking to understand and explain the implications for effective practice.Call Number: ebookPublication Date: 2016 -
Counselling Skills for Social Workers by Counselling skills are very powerful. Really listening and providing compassionate empathy without judging is a core part of social work practice with service users. This book provides a theoretically informed understanding of the core skills required to provide counselling interventions that work. It provides detailed discussion of three core skills which are identified as: talking and responding, listening and observing and thinking. Over 11 chapters these core skills are described in terms of what they mean, how they can be learned and developed, how they can be used and misused and, most importantly, how specific skills can be employed in a coherent and evidence-informed counselling approach. Loughran also looks in detail at the skills required to deliver interventions consistent with three approaches: Motivational Interviewing, Solution-Focused Work and Group work. Illustrative case examples and exercises offer further opportunities for reflection and exploration of self-awareness as well as for practising and enhancing skills development, thus making the book required reading for all social work students, professionals looking to develop their counselling skills and those working in the helping professions more generally. Terms such as social worker, therapist and counsellor will be included as they inform counselling skills in social work. Publication Date: 2018 -
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An Introduction to Group Work Practice by Widely used by professionals, educators, and students in undergraduate and graduate courses in schools of social work , this text presents a comprehensive, coherent, organized overview of group work practice from a generalist practice perspective. The new Eighth Edition continues to include typologies illustrating group work practice with task and treatment groups at the micro-, meso-, and macro-levels. Thoroughly updated throughout, the new edition of An Introduction to Group Work Practice includes research on virtual groups, updated and deeper content on practice with treatment and task groups, the most current literature on working with reluctant and resistant group members, updated and expanded sections on working with individuals who have difficulty engaging in and sustaining work in groups, updated material on leadership and diversity, and thoroughly updated reference material and new content from evidence-based practice sources. The Enhanced Pearson eText features embedded assessments. Improve mastery and retention with the Enhanced Pearson eText* The Enhanced Pearson eText provides a rich, interactive learning environment designed to improve student mastery of content. The Enhanced Pearson eText is: Engaging. The new interactive, multimedia learning features were developed by the authors and other subject-matter experts to deepen and enrich the learning experience. Convenient. Enjoy instant online access from your computer or download the Pearson eText App to read on or offline on your iPad#65533; and Android#65533; tablet.* Affordable. The Enhanced Pearson eText may be purchased stand-alone for 50-60% less than a print bound book. * The Enhanced eText features are only available in the Pearson eText format. They are not available in third-party eTexts or downloads. *The Pearson eText App is available on Google Play and in the App Store. It requires Android OS 3.1-4, a 7" or 10" tablet, or iPad iOS 5.0 or later. Call Number: ebookPublication Date: 2017 - 8th edn. -
Social Research by From question development and research design to data collection and statistical analysis, this text guides the reader through every aspect of social research. Encouraging a critical approach in each chapter, this 4th edition includes enhanced coverage of internet sampling, mixed methods, conversation analysis and feminist research.Call Number: ebookPublication Date: 2013 -
