Throughout its history, social work has been seeking a means to state its purposes and methodology as a unity that transcends the purposes and methodology applicable in particular fields of practice, or sanctioned by particular legislation, or practised by a particular kind of worker. Recent changes in society, developments in social work practice, new additions to the knowledge base of social work and current reorganisation of the social services had led to an intensified interest in this 'integrated' approach.

Originally published in 1977, Integrating Social Work Methods introduces the reader to the main developments in the conceptualisation of a unitary method. It clarifies what it is that is being unified, identifies issues involved in the attempt to unify, and discusses their implications for social work practice and training. As such it represented the first substantial British text in the field, and was widely welcomed by social work practitioners, administrators and educators at the time.