LAUSR

many practitioners understood why the changes were necessary? Hughes and Wearing believe that political and legislative changes can be welcomed with the correct briefings and dissemination of information from senior managers to case workers. There was good use of case study examples of how practice can flourish in an organisation, especially when other professions create competing demands. A significant issue raised was ensuring that social workers know who they are accountable to and their responsibilities in any given situation. Also having a clear action plan drawn up with their supervisor to prevent conflict or disagreement with other agencies or service users. There was good use of research in the book to look at how this has informed organisational structures and makes the reader aware of the constant political and often media fuelled tribulations of the profession. This is the third edition of this book, which developed the theme of leadership in contemporary social work. I found it helpful to explore such a complex issue further as a number of serious case reviews into child deaths have highlighted concerns around how supervision can be offered to front line staff in a productive and supportive manner. This has led to many local authorities adopting a policy that all managers have to undertake a management and leadership course. Hughes and Wearing argue that such shifts are reassuring, however, need to be monitored and reviewed to ensure that such changes do indeed develop practice. It is a difficult time to be a social worker with change being a constant factor in the role. I therefore feel that this book should be brought into team meetings and explored by senior managers of organisations to reflect on many of the key themes to ensure these topics are kept alive. From newly qualified to senior social workers I feel this book should be compulsory reading to understand how social care truly functions. Students would also benefit from understanding the organisations that they are embarking a career with.