Modern Social Work Practice: Teaching and Learning in Practice Settings

Modern Social Work Practice is an interactive book designed to provide readers with an opportunity to engage with key aspects of current social work practice. It also provides an excellent digest of the significant literature. Each chapter is introduced with an activity or exercise designed to aid student learning in discrete aspects of practice, building up to a complete curriculum for practice learning. The book builds upon the success and style of Social Work Practice (1993) and The New Social Work Practice (1998). Mark Doel and Steven M. Shardlow have shaped the book to take account of the National Occupational Standards for Social Work, aiming to provide a creative, practical and up-to-date resource for teaching and learning in line with current practices.

Table of Contents:
Contents: Introduction. Part I Foundations of practice: new opportunities for practice learning: Knowing the service user and carer; Knowing your self; Knowing the role. Part II Direct practice: inter-professional learning and practice: Preparation; Generating options; Making assessments in partnership; Working in and with groups; Working in difficult situations. Part III Agency practice: creative practice and procedural requirements; Making priorities; Managing resources; Accountability; Whistleblowing. Part IV Themes of practice: evidence-based practice; Working with risk; Anti-oppressive practice; Law-informed practice; Generalist and specialist practice; Comparative practice; Appendix: National Occupational Standards; Glossaries; Bibliography; Index.

About the Author :
Mark Doel is Research Professor of Social Work at Sheffield Hallam University, England. He is co-editor of Groupwork Journal and author of many books on practice teaching and learning, groupwork and task-centred practice. He has directed a university undergraduate social work programme, and has fourteen years’ experience as a practice teacher (student supervisor), working in a variety of social work settings, including the United States. Steven M. Shardlow is Professor of Social Work at the University of Salford, England and is Professor II at Bodø University College, Norway. He is Director of Salford Centre for Social Work Research and edits the Journal of Social Work. Previously, he has directed a university postgraduate social work programme; managed a multi-disciplinary team of health and social care practitioners, and practised as a field and residential social worker.

Review :
’Modern Social Work Practice is an enormously valuable and practical text and essential reading for students, practice assessors and social work practitioners. It is well written, accessible, interactive and scholarly, providing a comprehensive link to key texts in this field.’ Pamela Trevithick, University of Bristol, UK ’Continuing in the activity-based tradition of a practice learning text, the authors of this new and improved edition offer social work teachers and learners a comprehensive guide to the complexity and nuance of the modern practice of social work. This is a do not miss opportunity to engage fundamental concepts with experiential activities in a single volume reflecting the interface of theory and practice so core to the caring professions.’ Professor Gayla Rogers, University of Calgary, Canada ’...a practical and user-friendly manual...although focused on social care, this book can be used for students in other disciplines...this comprehensive and well-referenced digest is an absolute boon for the busy practitioner and student.’ Learning in Health and Social Care ’This is an excellent book that will prove to be an invaluable resource for all involved in practice teaching and learning. It is clearly written in an engaging style that succeeds in blending theory and practice in a way that does justice to both elements - and that is certainly no mean feat...’ Community Care ’Since their first edition...the authors have made significant changes...the nature of social work and how it is taught and practised has undergone major changes. [This] book provides an excellent and concise summary of these changes...’ British Journal of Social Work