Forensic Social Work

Supporting Desistance

Jacqueline Bosker, Anneke Menger, Vivienne de Vogel

• Publisher: Routledge
• Year: 2025
• eBook ISBN: 9781040443255
• Topic: Psychology
• Subtopic: Criminology
• Index: Psychology

Providing an overview of the knowledge and methods required by professionals working in a mandated setting with adults who have committed offences, Forensic Social Work presents evidence-based knowledge in an accessible way that can be directly translated to application in daily practice.

Covering a wide range of topics, Part 1 of the book includes foundational theories that provide a solid basis for the development of practice-based methods and forensic social professionalism, the development of offending behaviour, desistance, professional reflection and resilience of professionals. Part 2 develops and organises the forensic social supervision process and deals with planning, assessment of risk and protective factors, cooperation with other professionals, volunteers, experts by experience and the social network. Part 3 contains essential practices for forensic social professionals, including the dynamics of involuntary interaction, the working alliance, motivating, strength-based and restorative practices and de-escalation strategies. Finally, Part 4 deals with unique client needs, such as debt, trauma, mild intellectual disability, substance use and mental disorders. There is also a focus on digital crimes and the online 'street identity' that becomes intertwined with offending behaviour in young adults.

Intended for use in either practical training or theoretical study, this book will be of value to professionals such as probation workers, forensic mental health professionals and prison staff, as well as students studying or training in areas related to forensic social work.

Table of contents

• Cover
• Half-Title
• Title
• Copyright
• Contents
• Contributors
• Preface
• 1 An Introduction to Forensic Social Work
• Part 1 Forensic Social Work: Frameworks and Foundations
• Part 2 Developing and Organizing the Forensic Social Supervision Process
• Part 3 Essential Practices for the Forensic Social Professional
• Part 4 Strategies Tailored to Unique Client Needs
• Index