Sarah Matthews – författare

Social work practice in the twenty-first century is continually changing. Contemporary practitioners work in complex areas and have to do so quickly and competently. This text helps qualified social workers, as well as those about to qualify, to build on their initial studies in order to develop professionally.

The volume considers not just what you need to know to practice, but how you develop in criticality and capability – in particular, how you can respond effectively in times of uncertainty and change to become more effective. It examines new roles, identities and contexts, including some international perspectives and the impact of globalisation. Each chapter discusses the contexts of practice (such as law, policies and theories); the contributions made both by those who practice social work and those who use its services; and the capabilities and skills that social workers need to develop in order to deal with complexity in social work.

Making use of The Open University’s expertise in providing cutting edge but accessible course materials and its distinct approach to social work practice, this textbook includes underpinning knowledge, practical applications and critical reflexivity. It includes questions for further reflection and application , plentiful examples and suggestions for further reading.

Aimed at the newly qualified practitioner and the developing professional, Professional Development in Social Work is written by a team of authors with extensive practice and teaching experience. It will be particularly useful to students undertaking post-qualifying training or in the final year of their qualifying studies.

Social work practice in the twenty-first century is continually changing. Contemporary practitioners work in complex areas and have to do so quickly and competently. This text helps qualified social workers, as well as those about to qualify, to build on their initial studies in order to develop professionally.

The volume considers not just what you need to know to practice, but how you develop in criticality and capability – in particular, how you can respond effectively in times of uncertainty and change to become more effective. It examines new roles, identities and contexts, including some international perspectives and the impact of globalisation. Each chapter discusses the contexts of practice (such as law, policies and theories); the contributions made both by those who practice social work and those who use its services; and the capabilities and skills that social workers need to develop in order to deal with complexity in social work.

Making use of The Open University’s expertise in providing cutting edge but accessible course materials and its distinct approach to social work practice, this textbook includes underpinning knowledge, practical applications and critical reflexivity. It includes questions for further reflection and application , plentiful examples and suggestions for further reading.

Aimed at the newly qualified practitioner and the developing professional, Professional Development in Social Work is written by a team of authors with extensive practice and teaching experience. It will be particularly useful to students undertaking post-qualifying training or in the final year of their qualifying studies.

"Thousands have trodden the path through the boughs, just as we tread it now. They trod it by day, and they trod it by night; in silken slippers, in fine leather boots, and in their bare, grass-stained feet. They all trod it, and they were all hunched over and creeping as we are now."

-In "Jubilation Grove", a trip through a deceitful forest path leads to Trevor''s worst nightmare.

-A home tour with an unreliable realtor takes a turn for the bizarre in "Alternate Realty".

-And in the quaint town of Charme Cove, Celia must make a choice between the men she loves at the ancient Winter Festival.

These stories and more lurk between the pages of Jubilation Grove and Other Nightmares. Read them and discover that often the line between nightmares and reality is thin, and a single misstep is all it takes to plunge into the depths of horror.

Key features of the book include:

"a multiprofessional approach, incorporating examples from health, social work, and social care

"an integrated approach to theory and practice

"a range of case studies to illustrate key themes and issues

"coverage of core topics such as: ethics, management, supervision, teamwork, interprofessional working, practice with service-users, research, policy issues, accountability

"strongly supports underpinning knowledge for the National Occupational Standards and subject benchmarks.

The book encourages the reader to develop the confidence and analytic skills to achieve best practice across all areas of their work. It will be required reading for all those studying social work, nursing, and allied caring professions. It will also be of great help to practitioners wishing to reflect on and develop their own practice.

This Reader includes revised and updated material from Brechin et al's Critical Practice in Health and Social Care also published by SAGE (2000).

Sandy Fraser is a Lecturer in Social Work, Faculty of Health and Social Care at The Open University. He co-edited Doing Research with Children and Young People and The Reality of Research with Children and Young People (both 2004) published by SAGE Publications in association with The Open University.

Sarah Matthews is a Staff Tutor in The Open University regional office in Manchester. She is also a Mental Health Act Commissioner and runs a training and consultancy business. She worked for 20 years as a qualified social worker, latterly as a senior manager.