Social workers have roles that require them to engage with clients and families who may be 'reluctant clients', ambivalent or resistant towards those seeking to help and protect. This includes safeguarding roles in relation to children and vulnerable adults, and work to engage with marginalised groups such as young offenders and those with mental health and substance misuse problems. The text addresses issues in relation to the main client groups, and specific chapters take an overview of issues such as understanding and defusing aggressive behavior and keeping yourself safe from assault.

Introduction
Defining Key Concepts: Aggression, Ambivalence and Resistance
Understanding Aggression and Resistance
Avoiding Assault and Defusing Aggression
Working in Situations of Domestic Violence
¿I Don¿t Want Your Help¿: Ambivalence and Resistance in Adult Protection
Assessing the Risk to Children Despite Parental Resistance
Working with Irrationality and Dangerousness in Mental Health
Coping, Challenge and Conflict in Groups
Managing Conflict in Maintaining Standards in Social Care Service Provision
Conclusion
Appendix: Subject Benchmark for Social Work
Glossary
References
Index