Social workers work under increasing pressure and amounts of paperwork, but they still need the skills, knowledge and confidence to engage with people to form effective, meaningful and fruitful relationships. This is a 'how to' practical guide to Relationship Based Practice for children and families social workers. It delves into the theory behind the approach and effectively applies this to different social work contexts through the use of case studies and exercises.

Whilst acknowledging the tensions that can arise when applying Relationship Based Practice in a pressurized working environment, the author inspires and encourages the reader to persevere with the approach.

Key topics include:

• Emotional development and resilience
• Understanding relationship with oneself, including the conscious ‘use of the self’
• Relationship with others including the process of 'othering'
• Barriers to relationship based practice with children and families
• Tensions and dilemmas implicit in practicing in a relationship based way

This is an essential reading for all social work students studying children and families social work and on placement in these settings.