Lesley Chenoweth

Daniela Stehlik

How do social workers navigate the unique challenges of serving rural and remote communities?

Facing the Challenges of Social Work in Australian Rural and Remote Communities explores the unique experiences of living and working in rural and remote areas of Australia. This book delves into the difficulties posed by long distances, limited services, and insufficient support for vulnerable people and families within government policies and services that are developed in urban contexts. Social workers in these areas face similar struggles in accessing services, compounded by recruitment and retention challenges, practice limitations, and ethical dilemmas as they navigate being both part of and outside the community. While set in the Australian context, the book is relevant for other rural and remote settings.

Despite these challenges, small communities often demonstrate collective resilience during crises, such as natural disasters. This resilience provides opportunities for social workers to strengthen and build community capacity through a deeper appreciation of place, identity, and strengths-based practice. This book draws on decades of the authors’ experiences and first-hand accounts of strength-focused practices that go beyond enhancing resilience to fostering flourishing communities.

Ideal for educators and students in social work programs, disability studies, social work practitioners, community development programs, and rural and remote education courses.

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