Too often professional staff are thrust into the role of manager without preparation or subsequent guidance over what becoming a manager entails. On Becoming a Manager is written by managers from a range of personal social services settings. It describes the transition from practice into this new world of management and includes advice, guidance and tips on a range of issues, including managing risk, change, conflict and resources. Alongside these are tools for managers which are particularly relevant in the context of Community Care and the Children Act 1989, such as budgeting, evaluating and empowerment through contracts. It is an essential reader for about to be, new and existing managers wishing to improve and consolidate their practice.

Barbara Hearn is a management development adviser and author at the National Institute for Social Work. Giles Darvill is an independent trainer and consultant. Beth Morris is a social work journalist.