In much of the Western world, the concerns of rural people are marginalized and rural issues are neglected. Indeed, most social work literature implicitly assumes an urban context. Increasing political, academic, and professional interest in rural policy and rural services is beginning to demonstrate that the 'urban' models of practice may be unworkable in the countryside. This stimulating book addresses the gap in evidence-based material on modes of rural social work practice. The book draws upon a rich variety of material to show why rural social work is such a challenging and absorbing field of practice. It uses studies from the US, Canada, Australia, and the UK to explore the problems and possibilities of rural practice. It addresses key issues in the recruitment, education, training, and support of rural social workers. Additionally, it shows how working in rural areas requires a more ambitious and socially engaged approach to practice that is both demanding and rewarding for prac