This book explains different types of advocacy and the various ways in which advocacy is used in social work, making links with core social work concepts such as empowerment, safeguarding and rights.

Peter Scourfield has practised social work in a variety of settings with diverse service user groups since qualifying as a social worker in 1984. Before moving full time into social work education his most recent social work practice was in a team for older people and people with physical disabilities. Since being in social work education Peter has been a course leader on a MA Social Work programme; practice educator and lecturer and tutor on different undergraduate, post-qualifying and fast track courses. Peter's PhD was focused on older people's experiences in the social care system. However, he has diverse research and writing interests in both social work and social policy and has written on subjects ranging from professional leadership in social work to older people's experiences of Tai Chi. Peter is currently a Visiting Fellow at Anglia Ruskin University. He has previously published two social work textbooks.

Introduction. 1. What is Advocacy? 2. Advocacy in the Context of Social Work. 3. Independent Advocacy. 4. Advocacy in Social Work: Values, Ethics and Skills. 5. Advocacy and Social Work: some final thoughts.