The promotion of wellbeing has come to form a core principle of contemporary health and social care policy, and is a value at the heart of social work mandates and service user standpoints. Wellbeing, defined originally by the World Health Organisation, can be broadly understood as a positive, holistic state in which people can flourish in relation to their bodies and minds, and their social and environmental contexts. As such, wellbeing has been established as intrinsic both to health and to quality of life and it inhabits a central place in the health and social care dimensions of adult service users’ lives.

Taking a person-centred approach, this book focuses on service user standpoints and the shared experiences central to understanding the health, wellbeing, psychosocial and social concerns faced by these service users. Exploring these concerns, this book discusses:

Theory and definitions of wellbeing

The social and historical context of wellbeing in adult social work

The needs, outcomes and perspectives of service users

Contemporary wellbeing debates

Contemporary wellbeing policy

Wellbeing assessment

Risk enablement, protection and safeguarding

Social Work with Adults: Theory and Practice with Wellbeing, Health and Social Care takes full account of the range of important debates, perspectives and practice dilemmas arising in the field, drawing out their significance for holistic, person-centred and truly responsive wellbeing practice. Aimed at students working towards a qualification in social work, this book would also act as a useful resource for social work professionals concerned with the promotion of wellbeing in adult service users.