Out of the Shadows

"Over my last forty years in Social Work I have had the privilege of working with colleagues who worked in some of the events described in this book, including the Lockerbie and Kegworth air disasters, Hillsborough, Manchester arena and of course countless colleagues during Covid 19...This book is both timely and required reading as little has been researched and written about social workers in Disasters in the UK. Social workers go about their “messier science” with no Hi-Viz coats and their arrival on the scene is not announced by “blues & twos,” but what they do is STAY, often long after others have left and when the shouting has died down..." 

-- Colin Pettigrew * Corporate Director, Children, Families and Cultural Services, Nottinghamshire County Council *

"It is hard to imagine a more appropriate time to reflect on the role of social workers in dealing with disaster, the unique contribution they can make and the challenges the professional faces in responding...Drawing on experiences of the pandemic, but also Hillsborough, Grenfell and the Manchester Arena bombing, this is not an easy read. But it is a very important read. The authors attend to issues of self-care throughout – as well as offering points for reflection and further reading. A book that ought to be on many reading lists and read widely throughout the profession. Highly recommended."

-- Aidan Worsley * Professor of Social Work, University of Central Lancashire, *

"One of the striking features of this excellent book is that it is wrapped around the personally-told stories of people who have been directly involved in disasters. These stories were an eye-opener for me, particularly in thinking about social work as ’the fifth emergency service’; and reading the book put me in touch with my own role as a social worker in the aftermath of Hillsborough in my home city, Sheffield. A must read for all social workers."

-- Dr Mark Doel * Emeritus Professor of Social Work, Sheffield Hallam University *

"As a social work student nearing completion of an MA undertaken throughout the COVID pandemic, this book couldn’t be more relevant or topical.... It shows that social workers have the problem-solving skills to add value to multi-disciplinary responses, as well as a commitment to social justice, continuing to work with those affected long after the dust has settled and the media interest has waned...The selfless, sometimes raw and always emotional first-hand accounts of social work in disaster from survivors and professionals are invaluable. They show what a difference social workers can make, from quiet determination to good old fashioned, vocal activism..."

-- Social Work Stu