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Professional Social Work
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Professional Social Work

Edited by:
  • Jonathan Parker - Bournemouth University, UK, University of Stavanger, Norway
  • Mark Doel - Sheffield Hallam University, UK


November 2013 | 232 pages | Learning Matters

If social work students are to flourish in their careers, and go beyond a basic sense of ‘competence’ in practice, it is essential to develop a sense of Professional Self. This book will help students develop critical understanding of their own social work practice, and the tools and skills required to become a professional social worker.

It includes:

  • Chapters on practising Reflexivity and the importance of Relationships in social work
  • Contributions from leading social work academics
  • A focus on building a professional identity through learning and practice

The emphasis is on developing your professionalism, and how that  journey translates into everyday practice. To help this growth there are further chapters on getting the best from continuing professional development, challenging poor practice and professionalism and ethics.

Professor Jonathan Parker is Deputy Dean for Research and Enterprise and Director of the Centre for Social Work and Social Policy at Bournemouth University. He is currently conducting cross cultural research on learning and practice with colleagues in Southeast Asia.

Professor Mark Doel is Professort Emeritus in the Centre for Health and Social Care Research at Sheffiled Hallam University, and a registered social worker. Mark's research experience is in the fields of practice education, social work practice methods, and service user involvement.

 
Professional social work and the professional social work identity
 
Being a social work professional
 
Practising reflexivity: nurturing human practice
 
Understanding contemporary social work: we need to talk about relationships
 
The emotionally competent professional
 
The new radical social work professional?
 
Ethical tensions in social work
 
Professionalism and practice-focused research
 
Understanding continuing professional development
 
Understanding and using supervision in social work
 
Working with the media
 
Fifty years of professional regulation in social work education
 
Professional social work in the future

...Each chapter takes a particular aspect of the professional social work role and explains what the contributor feels in the best way to approach it. This gives a rounded and professional approach instead of a specific directed one. It therefore encourages the student to understand that each of us are able to find our own way of showing professionalism, and this is an ongoing process, one which we need to continue to develop. Overall, I found the book useful and thought-provoking. 

Catrina Hall, Student Social Worker
Professional Social Work

Very good overview of professional social work.

Ms Juliet Diane Heaton
School of Applied Social Sciences, De Montfort University
September 16, 2016

We have a responsibility as SW educators to help our students understand that their SW degree goes far beyond the academic achievement that it represents; SW is a profession, and despite its criticism from all areas of media, it is a career to be proud of. Students are expected to demonstrate their competence against the PCF, one domain of which is 'professionalism. This text helps them on their way with this.

Ms Donna Price
Dept of Childhood, Social Work & Social Care, University of Chichester
September 1, 2015

An essential introductory text written by established authors ideal for any undergraduate or ASYE social work practitioner. All chapters cover key themes, professional practice dilemmas and tensions within contemporary SW practice in accessible style.

Mr David Gaylard
other, Chichester University
May 1, 2015

An essential introductory text written by established authors ideal for any undergraduate or ASYE social work practitioner.

All chapters cover key themes, professional practice dilemmas and tensions within contemporary SW practice in accessible style.

Mr David Gaylard
Social Work (Bishop Otter), Chichester University
May 1, 2015

An interesting general text that may have some pointers for social work students

Mr Michael Marriott
Faculty of Health & Social Care, The Open University
April 11, 2015

Good text for practitioners on CPD programmes.

Mr Robert Banks
Social Work, Advice Work & Soc Studies, Staffordshire University
February 20, 2015

An easy read. Perhaps more useful at BA level than MA but recommend at our Induction stage as an introductory text.

Mrs Kerry Fidler
School of Social Work, University of Leicester
February 16, 2015

this is a book that engages students with the real challenges

Judy Kerr
Department of Social Work, Stirling University
December 10, 2014

The information presented is very useful for skills development within the new TCSW requirements.

Ms JANE KEELER
Social Work , Canterbury Christ Church University
December 10, 2014

For instructors

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ISBN: 9781446260135
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