b'Annual Report 2023/24Major New Social Care Book Contribut ionsA Praxis Care team of researchers has contributed to a major new book which will guide UK social care professionals through a rapidly changing care landscape. The Sage Handbook of DecisionPaul Webb says fully involving people Making, Assessment and Risk in Socialin the assessment and care planning Work provides a comprehensiveprocess is an important and ongoing overview of key strands of research. challenge.in this increasingly important field. Engagement with adults has to be The four Belfast authors who wrote themeaningful and sensitive, says Mr chapter entitled Engaging Adults in theWebb. Social workers must engage Assessment Process include Gavinwith those in their care and provide Davidson, Professor of Social Care atthe foundations of a two-way QUB, a post part-funded by Praxisrelationship if quality of life is to be Care; Katherine Greer and Aodnimproved. This means providing Mulholland, both co-researchers withinformation when requested, practical Praxis Care; and Paul Webb, Head ofand emotional support, the Research for Praxis Care who leadsopportunity to talk and guidance when our research programme includingasked. None of this is new but as our recruitment and training of people withresearch deepens we become more lived experience as co-researchers. aware of impacting factors such as The Belfast contribution focuses onissues of class, variances in engaging adults in the assessmentcommunications skills and process through a combination ofcompassion.academic rigour and theoreticalThe book is already being distributed perspective coupled to the valuableto commissioners and social care experience of people who, likeproviders throughout the UK, Ireland, Katherine Greer and Aodnthe US and other English speaking Mulholland, have lived parts of theirnations.lives with support from care services.66 67'