The Department of Health requires students on the social work degree to undertake at least 200 days in direct practice learning during their course. Practice learning often raises great anxieties for students, agencies and those who supervise and assess it. This book tackles those anxieties, explaining the ways the experience can deliver a unique learning opportunity for the student. It is ideal for students undertaking or about to undertake practice learning, student supervisors and practice assessors, as well as trainers and policymakers within social care agencies and healthcare professions where practice learning is also undertaken.

This fully updated and expanded third edition of a classic text provides a comprehensive introduction to key theory, knowledge, research and evidence relating to practice learning in social work and social care. It outlines the theories that underpin social care practice, the main assessment models and interventions, and also offers guidance on the effective implementation of assessment across a range of professional contexts. Contributors from research, policy-making and practice backgrounds offer guidance on how to apply policy and research findings in everyday practice while ensuring that the complex needs of each individual service user are met. This third edition also features new chapters on group work, social pedagogy and personalisation. The Handbook for Practice Learning in Social Work and Social Care is an essential resource for ensuring effective evidence-based practice which will be valued by students, educators and practitioners alike.

Ruben Martin is an Honorary Senior Lecturer in Social Work at the University of Kent, where he was previously Director of Studies for the BA (Hons) Social Work programme for seven years. Since his retirement from his full-time post, he has continued work as a part-time lecturer, consultant, freelance practice educator and writer. What is your optimal role in a team environment? How do teamworking skills differ between various contexts and groups? Written by a highly-experienced lecturer and practitioner of social work, this book explores the dynamics of teamworking in the context of social work, whether in collaboration with colleagues or professionals from other fields. It provides a practical and applied overview of the different types of teams that social workers encounter and outlines in an accessible format the core teamworking skills social workers must develop in order to practice effectively. This is achieved by way of specific links to the Professional Capabilities Framework, checklists for self-evaluation and reflective social work practice, activities and case examples. Together, these resources make this guide to teamworking a must-have for students of social work and practitioners involved in continuous professional development. Topics covered include: The characteristics of individuals within a team, including the formal and informal roles they play and leadership. Emotional intelligence and resilience. The application of teamworking skills to working in organisations, multidisciplinary teams, and interagency collaboration and partnership. *** This book forms part of the Social Work Skills in Practice series. The series focuses on key social work skills required for working with children and adult service users, families and carers. The books offer both theoretical and evidence-informed knowledge, alongside the application of skills relevant for day-to-day social work practice. They are an invaluable resource for pre-qualifying students, newly-qualified social workers, academics teaching and researching in the field, as well as social work practitioners, including practice educators, pursuing continuous professional development. *** 'At a time when social workers are being castigated for failures in team-working in recent child abuse enquiries, this book is extremely timely. I am not aware of a similar book which is able to convey the basic tenets of team-working as well as the necessary skills to do team working well. It is an important book which should be on the course lists of all early stage social workers. The book brings together social work theory relating to team work within an ecological framework. Students are given activities to reflect on their current level of skills. Excellent case studies illustrate the issues. The book is totally up-to-date, linking into recent material from the College of Social Work. I strongly recommend this book. I think students will find the material engaging and accessible, but they will also learn much about the essential team working skills for social work.' Ann Buchanan, Emeritus Professor of Social Work, University of Oxford, UK

Learning through practice lies at the heart of social work education, providing the opportunity for students to develop and employ the skills, experience and knowledge they need to become effective social workers. This exciting new addition to Palgrave's Practical Social Work series provides an integrated and user-friendly approach to practice learning by putting placements within a broader learning framework. Rather than treating placements as an isolated aspect of the social work degree, Practice Learning in Social Work shows how they are relevant to all aspects of the social work experience. Divided in to three parts, this book's pragmatic approach mirrors students' own journey as they progress from preparation for practice, through to actual experience, and then beyond this to support personal and professional development right up to qualification as a Newly Qualified Social Worker. With a strong emphasis on service users and carers as central stake holders, Practice Learning in Social Work illustrates the practical nature of the profession with realistic case scenarios based on real life learning experiences, reflective learning exercises and practice led research references throughout. Progress checklists, linked to the Professional Capabilities Framework, also provide readers with the opportunity to assess their own strengths and learning needs.

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.

"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.

An invaluable guide for Practice Educators and Practice Supervisors undertaking learning and assessment to gain and maintain Stage 1 or 2 status under the Practice Educator Professional Standards for Social Work (2013) and for those involved in facilitating the learning, support, assessment and CPD of Practice Educators. Now fully updated to reflect the changing social work landscape and with an expanded section on improving emotional resilience, this book is an invaluable guide for Practice Educators and Practice Supervisors undertaking learning and assessment to gain and maintain Stage 1 or 2 status under the Practice Educator Professional Standards for Social Work (2013) and for those involved in facilitating the learning, support, assessment and CPD of Practice Educators. Intended to enhance the learning and assessment 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 and implement effective supervision of social work students 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.

"This book is well written and inclusive with a realistic approachto problems encountered in schools today. Practical and useableinterventions are included which makes this text a valuableresource to the school social worker." -Terry Housteau-Hill, LSCW, Lead Consultant, Knox County SchoolSocial Services "An invaluable resource . . . [and] extremelyreader-friendly." -Michelle Alvarez, MSW, LCSW, Assistant Professor, School of SocialWork University of Southern Indiana School Social Work thoroughly covers all aspects of this burgeoningfield, from the history and function of school social workers andup-to-date, empirically and developmentally supported interventionsto effective methods for implementing and evaluating school socialwork programs. Educational policy and legislation, community-basedinterventions, and prevention programs are also covered. Supported by case vignettes and discussion questions that engagethe reader in every chapter, this book: * Provides proven and promising programs for change in classrooms,schools, families, neighborhoods, and communities * Equips you with the knowledge and skills necessary to functioneffectively in the unique political environment of the school * Outlines the school social worker's essential role as aconsultant to faculty and administrators as well as creator andmediator of school and community collaborations that enhance theacademic success of at-risk students In addition, this book provides current assessment methods forevaluating the effectiveness of interventions; recently developedstandardized measures designed to assess change at the classroom,school, family, neighborhood, and community levels; guidelines forsuccessfully planning, implementing, and evaluating new programsbased on Comprehensive Quality Programming (CQP) strategies; anddetailed information on the most current student-focused violenceprevention programs. Complete with lists of Internet resources and other references atthe end of each chapter, School Social Work is a valuable tool forstudents and a hands-on resource for school social workers,psychologists, counselors, and administrators.