Cheaper options for social work books

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Argghhh I have been told I NEED these books and they are so expensive- any ideas on how to get them cheap anywhere other than amazon?

Any social work students able to tell me if I really need them? Library at campus is pretty rubbish! I did pick up a bargain on ebay for social work theory but other than that they are as expensive as amazon!

Ethics and Values in Social Work - Sarah Banks;

Law for Social Workers - Hugh Brayne;

Social Work: An Introduction to Contemporary Practice - Prof Kate Wilson;

Social Work Skills Pam Trevithick

Yes you will need them I am afraid.

I have three on your list and used them loads.

I nearly always bought mine new just to ensure I got the most recent additions.

Have you got a for sale board at your uni? I know sometimes the third years will sell books off when they have finished.

Thanks Wilts - Can I ask which three you have?

Not on the "For sale" notices at the moment......there is a Harlambos Sociology book which I dont know whether to get or not.

Think I may just bite the bullet and get them! Extra jackets and baked beans on the meal planner instead of caviar and champagne with the student finance

Any more you can recommend?

I have Banks, Brayne and Carr and Trevithick,
Now I think about it I have Wilson too.

If Dh wasn't still training I would send you them.

I would say no to Harlambos, I had it for my Access course, but got told off for referencing it on my degree course.

An introduction to applying social work theories and methods by Barbra Teater, I am somewhat biased as she was my tutor, but it is good

Anybook in the Learning Matters series tends to be good but basic and we were often asked not to reference them. I found they provided an initial overview of a subject that you could then read more indepth books on.

It is hard to recommend books as I know we all like different styles, and many will be subject specific. Horwarth- The Childs world is really good as is Butler- Social work with children and families.

I personally prefer the Brammer law book, but again, it is subjective.

Also worth checking out your local council run library, I found mine has a real random selection of social work books

I think if you can grin and bear it, buy the books on your list new, I am as certain as I can be that you will use them through the three years.

Oh also Thompson- anti- discriminatory practice.

I have tons of books here, so please yell if there is anything you need, If Dh is not using it, I can lend it to you.

Thank you Wilts- thats a really kind offer. Are both you and DH Social workers?

Excellent advice about the referencing and i already agree about the learning matters books - a good starting point but not much depth to them. Will give Harlambos a miss - have realised now there is a real difference between degree and access.

Im going to hold out for the new edition of Trevithick book and borrow it from library. She came and did a guest lecture last week and I found her inspirational.....it was day three of my first year and I was wavering on whether I had made the right choice. By the end of her lecture I knew I had.

My local library catalogue has hardly any social work books but did borrow the Social Work Companion by Neil thompson- easy to read and know I must get anti discriminatory practice.

Will look at your tutors book. One of our college lecturers has a new book out soon about communication skills so I suspect that will be a good book too......

I think I ought to clear the bookshelves of fiction.... think they will just be gathering dust for a long time to come!

I am an NQSW six weeks into my first job and Dh is a final year student.

Pamela Trevithick was a lecturer at Dh's uni until earlier this year and also really rated her.

I fear your fiction will indeed be gathering dust, at times with two of us training in the house I felt like we were drowning under social work books

I actually feel sad that I am no longer studying and went through a real low period of 'mourning' when I graduated

Don't forget journal articles are your friend, you should have online access to those through your uni library.

Good luck, tis exciting being at the start of your journey through social work!

Congratulations on being a NQSW and gaining your first job! I can imagine what you mean about mourning on graduation.

I have already had a nosey at the journals online. Hopefully I will become a pro at using them.

Im going to order those books on Amazon...I can always resell them if I bomb out