Professional Development in Social Work: Complex Issues in Practice

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.

Janet Seden is Senior Lecturer with the Faculty of Health and Social Care at The Open University, UK.
Sarah Matthews is Staff Tutor at The Open University. She was a Mental Health Act Commissioner and also runs a training and consultancy business.
Mick McCormick is Lecturer in social work with the Faculty of Health and Social Care at The Open University, UK.
Alun Morgan is Lecturer in social work with the Faculty of Health and Social Care at The Open University, UK.

Part 1: Complex contexts 1. Effective multi-agency work in children’s services, Wendy Rose 2. Policy swings and roundabouts: social work in shifting social and economic contexts, Ian Buchanan 3. Criticality and reflexivity: best practice in uncertain environments, Barry Cooper 4. Reflections on values and ethics in social work practice, Mick McCormick and Sandy Fraser 5. A social worker 'in work and outside work': the benefits and dilemmas of registration, Fran Wiles 6. Diverse service users and diverse workers: the impact of globalization, Alun Morgan 7. Professional identity and international social work: the view from afar, Sandy Fraser Part 2: Complex roles, responsibilities and relationships 8. The use of self and relationship: swimming against the tide? Janet Seden 9. Refugees and asylum seekers: the social work role, Monica Dowling and Parissa Sextone 10. Youth justice: children in trouble or children in need? Barry Cooper and Richard Hester 11. Children with disabilities: international perspectives for developing practice, Monica Dowling 12. The changing role of social workers in developing contexts for mental health professionals, Sarah Matthews 13. With respect to old age, Caroline Holland 14. The well-being of people with learning disabilities, Sue Dumbleton 15. Policies and practice with ‘vulnerable’ adults, Mick McCormick 16. Untangling the web of service user involvement in social services work, Mo McPhail 17. Person-centred approaches to social work with older people: aspirations and contradictions, Sandy Sieminski 18. People who use services: finding a voice through ICT, Alun Morgan 19. Child and family focused work in children’s services, Jane Aldgate Part 3: Complex challenges in the workplace 20. Learning in practice: some reflections on the student's journey, Roger Davis, Jean Gordon and Gill Walker 21. Technology-enhanced learning for social work education and practice, Ingrid Nix 22. An innovative approach to the study and practice of social work values, Sandy Fraser 23. Reflections on writing in social work education and practice, Lucy Rai 24. Caring for yourself, being managed and professional development, Janet Seden and Mick McCormick 25. Careering through social work: metaphors of continuing professional development, Barry Cooper 26. Continuing professional development: enhancing high quality practice, James Blewett