BOOKS Building blocks of modern social work I Building the clients relational base: A multidisciplinary handbook Mark Furlong, Policy Press, 2013 t may not have a particularly snappy title, but the interlocking nature of the Lego-style bricks on the front cover of this paperback gives a clue as to the subject matter inside. Very much a book for our times, this is theoretically sophisticated and well versed in the intricacies of everyday social work practice. If you are still not convinced, substitute developing strengths-based social work practice with clients/service users for the title and you get a sense of where this book is headed. The thrust of both the Care Act 2014 and the Barclay Report of 1982 very much concerns supporting and enabling adults to develop their own local and communitybased patterns and processes of support, with help from professionals including social workers. The talk and the action are around the formulation of goals or aspirations and outcomes as described and experienced by service users themselves but not as described or disguised by social workers. The author has wide practice experience in therapeutic and protective settings, and is a senior lecturer at Deakin University in Australia. The language, terminology and case examples may therefore appear unfamiliar to a British-English reader but rest assured he knows his subject and his audience both in adult social care and within children and families. This is a groundbreaking text that builds on a solid epidemiological base and offers a range of practical activities that professionals can use to help strengthen the skills of service users to devise their own solutions. The examples are complemented by more than 20 case vignettes that bring to life the theoretical ideas. It is not of course possible to start to build on any of these ideas without first reviewing our own values and priorities. Again, Furlong helps through exercises to guide reflection (as described in chapter 7, Attitudes determine practice). More than 20 case vignettes bring to life the theoretical ideas The remaining core chapters cover a range of themes, such as feminist and critical scholarship principles, understanding the importance of interpersonal relationships, interrupting the cycles of loneliness and isolation, and questioning our own professional norms, values, culture and organisational conflicts. Then they go on to cover relationshipbuilding, systemic work with individuals and others, and being an agent of cultural change. Examples of advanced relational work include the use of witnessing circles, family group conferences, and restorative justice programmes. Greg Slay is quality assurance lead, West Sussex council adults services A vantage point for human development T Social work perspectives on human behaviour Margarete Parrish, Open University Press/McGraw Hill Education, 2014 he first thing you notice when picking up this text is that, although it isnt a hugely weighty tome, the comprehensiveness of the theories that it covers is impressive. Social work theory is wide ranging, and Parrish has attempted to provide an overview of the major schools of thought on human development. She has achieved this aim without being ponderous in the way that such texts can be. The book is divided into three parts: the first considers the biological dimensions of human behaviour, the second the psychological dimensions, and part three the social dimensions. Each provides an overview of the different theories and identifies their relevance to social work practice. Each theory is presented in a standard way. Parrish sets out why it is important, its history and the key concepts before discussing criticisms and shortcomings. This format is particularly useful and marks out the book from comparable works. It is clear that the target audience is social workers. Although others will find the book useful, it specifically addresses what social workers will need to know in order to apply the theories covered. When you need to consider core theories attachment, systems, humanist and developmental models are just a few of those covered this book is well organised and pertinent to contemporary practice. Whether you work with children, adults or older people it will be relevant and helpful in thinking about how the various concepts and influences may have an impact on your work and your clients. Parrish provides a vantage point from which to consider behaviour and does it in an accessible way. Daisy Bogg is a member of The College of Social Work Professional Assembly. She has achieved this aim without being ponderous in the way texts can be "