The Post-Qualifying Handbook for Social Workers

This is a much needed book on this increasingly important area of social work education and practice. It provides essential material for those studying on post-qualifying programmes, highlighting a wide range of practice areas, written in an engaging and accessible format by leading academics and experiences practitioners. The critically reflective approach is an important feature of the book, supporting the development of understanding and skills for transforming practice.'- Anne Quinney, Senior Lecturer, Bournemouth University; co-editor of Practice JournalIn 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.The book serves as an authoritative introduction to the PQ framework and outlines how the revised post-qualification accreditation and professional registration requirements will affect social workers. By explaining the links between theory and practice, the book provides a set of tools and resources that enable social workers to respond to changes while coping with the demands of operational duties. The book looks at practice across a range of service user groups such as children, people with learning disabilities and young offenders, and examines the typical complexities that social workers may encounter, such as inter-agency work, 'needs-led' assessments, and issues related to the protection of vulnerable adults. 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 will be an invaluable resource for all practising qualified social workers, BA Social Work students and Social Services Departments.General Introduction, Wade Tovey. Part One: Contexts. Introduction. 1. Engaging with Continuing Professional Development: With or Without Qualification? Michael Preston-Shoot, University of Bedfordshire. 2. Reflective, Critical and Transformational Practice, Robert Adams, University of Teesside. 3. Ethics and Values in Theory and in Practice, Mary Rayner, University of Teesside. 4. The Social Context of Post-Qualifying Practice, Nigel Leech, University of Teesside. 5. Integrating Theory and Practice at Post-Qualifying Level, Ian Duncan, University of Teesside. 6. Post-Qualifying Studies - European and International Contexts, Malcolm Payne, St Christopher's Hospice.7. Researching Practice, Terry Murphy, University of Teesside, and David Nulty, NW PQ Consultancy. Part Two: Practice. Introduction. 8. Developing Inclusive Practice in Children and Families Social Work, James Reid, University of Teesside. 9. Community Care and Care Management, Martin Leveridge, University of Teesside. 10. Mental Health Social Work, Linda de Chenu, University of Hertfordshire.11. Learning Disabilities Today: Integrated Working, Michael Wren, University of Teesside. 12. Working with Young Offenders, Denis Hart, University of Teesside. Part Three: Issues. Introduction. 13. Assessment, Brian Littlechild, University of Hertfordshire, and James Reid. 14. 'I Just Don't Want to Go There' - Sexuality in Social Work Education and Practice, Joy Trotter, Mary Crawley, Lesley Duggan ,and Jo Levie, University of Teesside.15. Thinking about Loss to Make Sense of Our Self, Maggie Jackson, University of Teesside. 16. The Challenges of Practice Learning Today, Jackie Gilchrist, University of Teesside.17. Users' and Carers' Involvement in Education and Service Delivery, Wade Tovey, University of Teesside. Part Four: Doing PQ. Introduction. 18. The PQ Framework in England from 2007, Vicki Lawson-Brown, Sunderland University and the Open University. 19. Adopting a Strategic Approach to Post-Qualifying Learning, Paula Sobiechowska, Anglia Ruskin University. 20. The Use of Portfolios in Social Work Education, Maire Maisch, Anglia Ruskin University. Afterword. Appendix 1: Supporting Roles in PQ, Geoff Owens, NEPQ Consortium. Appendix 2: Useful Websites. Appendix 3: Why Employers Should Engage with the Revised PQ Framework, Amanda Hatton, Skills for Care. Appendix 4: Post-Qualifying Education and Training for Social Workers. References. Contributors. Subject index. Author index.