First published in 1972, The Social Worker in Family Situations sets out to provide a theoretical basis for the practice of the family casework approach. William Jordan studies those families whose members flee from emotional involvement with each other, stressing their individual autonomy and the dangers of close family ties. He concentrates on the problems of working with these 'centrifugal' families, examining the implications of their patterns of interaction not only within the nuclear family group, but also in the extended family, the neighbourhood and the community.

The book will be of great interest to all social workers, including those who have practised the family casework approach for many years but have hitherto lacked the benefit of any helpful written guidance.

William Jordan is Honorary Professor of Social Policy and Social Work at the University of Plymouth, UK.