In much of the West the concerns of rural people are marginalised and rural issues neglected.This stimulating book draws upon a rich variety of material to show why rural social work is such a challenging field of practice. It incorporates research from different disciplines and places to provide an accessible and comprehensive introduction to rural practice. The first part of the book focuses upon the experience of rurality. The second part of the book turns to the development of rural practice, reviewing different ways of working from casework through to community development. This book is relevant to planners, managers and practitioners not only in social work but also in other welfare services such as health and youth work, who are likely to face similar challenges.

Richard Pugh is Professor of Social Work at Keele University, UK, and has written on a range of rural issues including rural racism, professional and personal boundaries, and the theoretical development of rural social work.

Brian Cheers is Adjunct Professor at the Centre for Rural Health and Community Development at the University of South Australia and Adjunct Professor in the Arts and Social Sciences Department at James Cook University, Queensland, Australia.

Introduction; Contexts of practice; The social dynamics of small communities; Indigenous peoples: dispossession, colonisation and discrimination; The experience of other minorities; Problems and possibilities in rural practice; Models for practice 1: personal social services; Models for practice 2: community social work; Workforce issues; Conclusion.