In October, 2007, the post-qualifying (PQ) framework for all social workers in England will be transformed, and this handbook will supply fundamental guidance for all practising social work professionals and the staff who support them.

This handbook provides guidance for all practising social work professionals, and the staff who support them, on the post-qualifying (PQ) framework for social workers. The book introduces the framework and outlines how post-qualification accreditation and professional registration affect social workers. Covering the theory and practice of social work, the Handbook provides a set of tools and resources that enable social workers to develop their practice while coping with the demands of operational duties. The book looks at working with a range of service user groups such as children, people with learning disabilities and young offenders, as well as examining common issues that social workers may encounter, such as inter-agency work, and issues such as loss and participation. Tackling the increased post-qualification training necessitated by the new framework, this handbook contains resources and materials to help practitioners continue their own professional development. This definitive guide is an invaluable resource for all practising qualified social workers, students and trainers, and educators. Consultant editor: Robert Adams is Professor of Social Work in the School of Health and Social Care at the University of Teesside, UK.

The first year of practice can be the most challenging for newly qualified social workers. This book takes a practical look at the transition from student to practitioner and covers applying for a first post and managing the first years of practice, including specific guidance on topics such as induction, supervision and Post-Qualifying awards. Also covered are court skills, team working, report writing and record keeping. Each of these sections within the book contains critical commentary from both an employer’s and newly qualified social worker’s perspective, bringing alive the importance of these issues.

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.

Positive Social Work will support and help you as a NQSW to understand your role within the context of a developing Social Work service. It will ensure that you are equipped with the knowledge and skills to do the job as best you can. Leaving university and entering the world of social work can be quite a daunting experience, though also exciting and challenging. Positive Social Work helps you as a NQSW to understand your role within the context of a constantly developing social work service. Now updated with the Knowledge and Skills statements, it ensures that you are equipped with everything you need to do the job as best you can. Positive Social Work is packed with information and resources to enable you as an NQSW to work in a professional manner, to protect yourself from the pressures of the role and to ensure you know where to look for support. This book also assists you with ongoing professional development by giving you tools you can adapt for your own area of Social Work. This book provides a unique tool designed to support your journey through the Assessed & Supported Year in Employment and is full of case studies and exercises designed to help your understanding and develop positive habits which will enhance your career.

Practice and legislation in child and family social work are always changing and have once again come under the spotlight. This text contextualises the bureaucratisation and managerialism of modern social work while also covering the advanced and complex skills necessary for competent social work practice in this area. The recent introduction of a new framework for Post-Qualifying social work practice provides an opportunity for the development of a robust text covering the basics at an advanced level.

Critical thinking as a process can appear formal and academic and far-removed from everyday practitioner experience. This second edition of enables post-qualifying students to develop their analytical skills in line with their everyday experiences. By placing emphasis on writing, communication and critical reflection, this book challenges the view that theory and critical awareness are the preserve of the classroom and instead gives the reader the confidence to better enhance their social work skills.

Social workers play a crucial part in contemporary society by ensuring that individuals are able to address, overcome, and manage obstacles in their daily lives. In an effort to better serve their clients, many practitioners have turned to evidence-based practice. Evidence Discovery and Assessment in Social Work Practice provides practitioners with the tools necessary to locate, analyze, and apply the latest empirical research findings in the field to their individual practice. This premier reference work provides insights and support to professionals and researchers working in the fields of social work, counseling, psychotherapy, case management, and psychology.

This title provides an overview of the post-qualifying awards in social work. Written in response to policy and training guidelines, the book will help social workers enhance their post-qualifying knowledge, skills and values within specialist areas of practice.

Social Work: Themes, Issues and Critical Debates, one of the most respected and widely used textbooks in social work, has now been completely revised and updated. With its accessible and clearly structured framework, the book offers expert discussion of the core topics in social work by top writers, teachers and practitioners in the field. It provides an essential grounding in the debates that shape the profession, as well as a clear insight into the issues at the heart of practice. What makes this highly regarded and bestselling book stand out from other texts? - Its range, authority and theoretical integrity - Its clear and effective structure, which reflects major shifts in teaching and makes it easy to use across modules - The importance it lays on practice-based learning and on developing core practice skills such as communication, assessment and intervention - Its value as a springboard to further reading (including extensive guidance on further print and electronic sources) - Its compact size – perfect for readers who are travelling between campus and practice settings. This is one of three interrelated books edited by the internationally renowned and widely published team, Robert Adams, Lena Dominelli and Malcolm Payne. The companion books are Critical Practice in Social Work (second edition) and Practising Social Work in a Complex World. Each book can be used alone or in combination with the other two as a uniquely flexible and comprehensive programme of study.