Practice educators, as social workers are used to being creative and innovative in their demanding roles in practice. But often they can struggle to find the time to integrate this creativity in the teaching and learning with students. To support a student’s ability to develop their critical thinking, practice educators need to possess and demonstrate a range of different skills and knowledge around models and strategies of teaching, supervision, and assessment. This concise guide enables practice educators to be more creative in the teaching, supervision and assessment of students. Containing stand-alone, but inter-linked chapters that each cover an innovative or creative approach in social work practice education, provide accessible material and practice guidance to enable practice educators to cultivate a creative approach to learning. This includes contemporary and diverse ideas around the teaching, supervision and assessment of social work students who are undertaking their practice learning placements. Each chapter is written by a qualified practice educator enabling them to draw upon their experiences of effectively supporting the development of students and the building of a learning relationship. The book bridges theory and practice, providing a straightforward and useful resource for practice educators to draw upon, thus supporting their research-mindedness to inform their practice and contribute to their knowledge-base. Both of which are indicative skills within their expert specialist roles. In short, the book provides a range of creative approaches, demonstrates their application in practice and helps to build a “creative toolbox” to use within practice.

Now fully updated to reflect the changing social work placement landscape and the BASW refreshed (2022) Practice Educator Professional Standards (PEPS), this best-selling book is an invaluable guide for social workers undertaking learning and assessment to gain and maintain Stage 1 or 2 qualified practice educator status and for those involved in facilitating the mentoring, learning, support, assessment and CPD of practice educators. It covers all key areas within Practice Educator training and offers guidance on the application of key skills and knowledge in supporting, assessing and teaching social work students and managing the placement. It will particularly assist Practice Educators to: Understand, prepare for and provide appropriate learning opportunities Understand and implement effective supervision of social work students, including development of reflection, knowledge, skills and values Understand holistic assessment of practice; assessing in line with capability levels expected at the end of first and final placement Deal with weaker or failing students Prepare the reader for the PEPS qualification process.

The Routledge Handbook of Social Work Practice Research is the first international handbook to focus on practice research for social work. Bringing together leading scholars in the field from Europe, the USA and the Asia Pacific region, it provides an up-to-the minute overview of the latest thinking in practice research whilst also providing practical advice on how to undertake practice research in the field. It is divided into five sections: State of the art Methodologies Pedagogies Applications Expanding the frontiers The range of topics discussed will enhance student development as well as increase the capacity of practitioners to conduct research; develop coordinating and leadership roles; and liaise with multiple stakeholders who will strengthen the context base for practice research. As such, this handbook will be essential reading for all social work students, practitioners and academics as well as those working in other health and social care settings.

This is the first book ever to be published on arts use in social work. Bringing together theoretical connections between arts and social work, and with practice examples of arts in micro and macro social work practice from around the world, the book aims to inspire the reader with new ideas. It provides specific skills, defines what is social rather than fine or projective art use, and explains the theoretical connection between art and social work. It has chapters from all over the world, showing how arts are adjusted to different cultural contexts. Section I explores the theoretical connections between art and social work, including theories of resilience, empowerment, inclusion and creativity as they relate to art use in social work. Section II describes specific interventions with different populations. Each chapter also summarizes the skills and hands-on knowledge needed for social workers to use the practical elements of using arts for social workers not trained in these fields. The third section does the same for arts use in community work and as social change and policy. Using Art in Social Work Practice provides theoretical but also hands-on knowledge about using arts in social work. It extends the fields of both social work and arts therapy and serves as a key resource for students, academics and practitioners interested in gaining the theoretical understanding and specific skills for using social arts in social work, and for arts therapists interested in using social theories.

"Melanie Parris provides an excellent introduction to social work, dealing with important aspects of social work values, basic areas of knowledge and vital key skills. Her writing is clear and student-friendly with many examples from practice and encouragement for the reader to develop understanding using active learning." Robert Adams, Emeritus Professor of Social Work, Teesside University, UK "This practice focused text clearly draws upon the many years of experience the author has of social work education ... It will be of great help to students who need to integrate theoretical understanding with practical experience and develop core skills. The structure is inclusive and the language accessible. Each chapter has clear learning objectives enabling time pressed learners to focus on particular aspects of professional practice they will encounter in placement." Madeleine Howe, Faculty Head of Quality and Standards, University of Gloucestershire, UK "A very practical and accessible introduction to some of the key concepts and notions which are needed by practitioners in social work. This book helpfully explores the relationship between social work and social care, setting social work in a broader context ... It addresses a spectrum of relevant issues such as communication, collaboration and working with service users whilst encouraging more critical and analytical thinking with a wealth of 'Pause for Thought' exercises." Georgina Koubel, Senior Lecturer, Canterbury Christ Church University, UK This practical workbook is written for social work students and includes both theory and a range of exercises, providing a good foundation for the knowledge and skills you will need for successful practice learning. A variety of active learning features are integrated throughout the book. These are designed to be worked through in sequence, so that the knowledge and skills gained are steadily developed and consolidated. The four key sections cover: Skills for learning and studying in social work - including setting up study groups, developing a creative approach to learning, making the best use of time and key concepts such as reflection and critical thinking. Social work values - includes a unique personal narrative linking the experiences of disability with developments in the way society views disabled people, the development of the social model of disability and relevant legislation. Key social work values and codes of practice are also explored along with meaningful service user and carer participation. Communication and interpersonal skills - why they are important, what communication skills are and different forms of communication – with a look at the skills required for specific situations with service users. Professionalism in social work - explores the meaning of professionalism and how it applies to social work, plus the key elements of professional behaviour including how to behave professionally and handle emotions including stress. Importantly, the book also looks at working in teams and with other professions, how to use supervision effectively to enhance professional development, keeping safe and strategies for managing risk to self. An appreciation of the needs and views of service users is integrated throughout the book, with contributions from a carer, a student and a social work practitioner.

This collection of innovative approaches to social work placements offers hope in the current climate of cuts to services and over-regulation. The international contributions offer practical guidance and challenge conventional approaches to placement finding, teaching and assessment in field education.

This expanded third edition of a popular textbook provides a completely revised and updated overview of the theories, models, and therapies that inform direct social work practice. The text is grounded in generalist social work principles and values and promotes a problem-solving model of social work practice as a framework for the eclectic use of theory, as well as for integrating the artistic, reflective elements of practice. It provides in-depth coverage of select psychodynamic, cognitive-behavioral, humanistic, critical, and postmodern theories. The third edition features a new section on Critical Theories, where a new chapter on Empowerment Theory is included with a completely revised chapter on Feminist Theory. A new chapter on Strengths-based Social Work has been added to the section on meta-theories for social work practice. Other new chapters include Emotion-focused Therapy and Collaborative Therapy. These revisions are based on suggestions from an extensive survey of professors. New to the Third Edition: • A new section on Critical Theories • New chapters on Strengths-based Social Work, Emotion-focused Therapy, Empowerment Theory, and Collaborative Therapy • Updated research on the debate about the importance of theory/technique versus common (e.g., relationship) factors, and on the critique of the empirically supported treatment movement Key Features: • Grounds direct practice firmly in the principles and values of generalist social work • Promotes a problem-solving model of social work as a flexible structure for integrating the eclectic use of theory with the artistic, reflective elementsof practice • Organizes direct practice theories into like groupings and provides an overview of the main characteristics of each grouping • Provides in-depth coverage of topics in a clear, logical, and consistent format • Includes editors and contributors from the U.S. and Canada

This book offers unique interdisciplinary insights into developing connections between reflective practice and employability particularly through the lenses of the education and social work professions. It recognises the various meanings that can be applied to the notion of reflection and examines the challenges of using reflective practice in the workplace. The chapters explore the tensions that arise from preparing professionals to be agents of change and concerned with social justice and equity. Further, the book provides much needed perspective on how diverse positions can be identified and leveraged and shared meanings negotiated in the creation of meaningful professional learning resources for early career teachers and social workers and across the career continuum. Bringing together contributions from internationally renowned scholars, Reflective Practice in Education and Social Work is essential reading for early career and experienced professionals in education and social work, academics and practitioners seeking further professional development in reflective practice.

This substantially revised, expanded and updated edition of the popular Handbook of Theory for Practice Teachers is a comprehensive summary of the theory, knowledge, research and evidence relating to practice learning in social care. Focussing on knowledge-based practice with a focus on improving outcomes, the five sections of the book cover: * the reasons and circumstances in which people may become social work service users * a holistic consideration of assessment in general and specific contexts, including risk assessment and management * methods of intervention, including cognitive behavioural social work, task centred practice, advocacy, crisis intervention, family therapy and group care * the legal, policy, research and evidence context in which assessment and intervention occur, as well as interdisciplinary work and organisational aspects of social work practice * reflective practice, evaluation and evidence based practice as integral parts of social workers' engagement with the complex needs of individuals outside the existing parameters of policy or research findings. This key text is essential reading for students, practitioners and teachers in social work.