Placements can be one of the most exciting parts of your social work training but also one of the most daunting. This Guide will help you to make the most of your practice learning opportunities. The guide highlights how you can make the most of your placement, as well as anticipating some of the problem areas and pitfalls to avoid. It covers: preparing for your placement getting to grips with placement documentation understanding how and what you might learn on placement integrating theory with practice non-traditional placements anticipating difficulties and dealing with them getting the best from assessment and evaluation. Using a cast of ‘fellow travellers’ – students, work-based supervisors, practice educators and college tutors – to illustrate issues raised, the Guide is accessible and contains plenty of case studies. It is the ideal book for anyone wanting to make sure their placement goes as well as possible, whether they are a student or a supervisor.

This clear and concise textbook is an invaluable guide for students embarking on their social work placements. Packed with tips, quotes, activities and illustrations, it offers coherent advice on how to get the best out of practice learning opportunities, as well as an insight into students' perspectives for practice assessors, lecturers and practitioners. Following the process of placement, the book guides students through their preparation for practice placement modules by presenting helpful ideas and practical advice on how to overcome potential challenges and make the most of the opportunities offered to students on their placements. Written by experienced academics, this is an essential companion for students at any stage in their social work course, as well as those studying other areas of health and social care practice.

Accessible and hands on guidebook for social work students on how to navigate through their placement. Packed with case studies and activities.

Embarking on a first practice placement can be an anxious experience for social work students. This textbook takes them step-by-step through the process, holding their hand through preparation for practice modules and during the course of the placement itself. Focusing on practicalities, knowledge, values and skills, the authors guide students through the challenges they may face. Chapters include numerous real-life case examples which reflect a range of varying placement contexts including different settings, service-user groups, locations and areas of practice. The book will help students become confident on placement and lead to rich placement experiences which will benefit them throughout the rest of their degree and upon entry to the profession. Your Social Work Practice Placements is essential reading for all social care students.

Creating a practice portfolio is a challenging but essential part of every social work student’s placement experience. This book shows students how to get the best results from their practice portfolio, by demonstrating their learning and evidencing areas of practice such as meeting the National Occupational Standards, reflective practice and the involvement of service users and carers in their practice. Packed with practical tips, case studies, action points, activities and diagrams, the book is an indispensible guide for social work students on placement.

Embarking on a first practice placement can be an anxious experience for social work students. This textbook takes them step-by-step through the process, holding their hand through preparation for practice modules and during the course of the placement itself. Focusing on practicalities, knowledge, values and skills, the authors guide students through the challenges they may face. Chapters include numerous real-life case examples which reflect a range of varying placement contexts including different settings, service-user groups, locations and areas of practice. The book will help students become confident on placement and lead to rich placement experiences which will benefit them throughout the rest of their degree and upon entry to the profession. Your Social Work Practice Placements is essential reading for all social care students.

Involved in educating social work professionals? Overwhelmed and demoralised by the current climate of cuts to services and over-regulation? This unique book written by practice educators, students and academics offers hope. This collection of innovative approaches to social work placements addresses subjects including sustainability, student-led services, overseas placements, the value of the third-sector, supporting students from minority groups and the visual arts. The international and diverse contributions offer practical guidance and challenge conventional approaches to placement finding, teaching and assessment in field education. Written from a global social work perspective this is essential reading for anyone responsible for ensuring quality placements for future professionals.

This fully-revised new edition looks at how students can make the most from their time studying on the social work degree. Focusing on each of the three years of study, the author skilfully unpicks the critical thinking, reflection and study skills essential for the completion of the degree. There are sections on autonomous learning, writing academically, communication skills and developing critical analysis and argument. This second edition has more information on how students learn, what makes for excellence in social work research, and how students can successfully integrate their skills with their practice.