Social workers and other professionals working in the area of mental health often face complex and difficult practice dilemmas shaped by increasingly demanding policy and legal contexts across the U.K. Jim Campbell and Gavin Davidson focus on the post-qualifying role played by mental health social workers in this book. The authors draw on theoretical and research perspectives on the subject, before outlining how professionals can achieve best practice.
Mental health social workers work within multidisciplinary teams, often based in health settings. The variety of services they work within are shaped by mental health policy that is increasingly being influenced by research evidence of ′what works′. This fully-revised second edition has a new chapter on systematic reviews and greater coverage of the impact of the 2007 amendment to Mental Health Act 1983 on mental health practitioners and services.
In 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.
This new edition of Mental Health Social Work in Context continues to be an authoritative, evidence-based introduction to a core area of the social work curriculum. Grounded in the social models of mental health particularly relevant to qualifying social workers, but also intended to familiarise students with social aspects of medical perspectives, this core text helps to prepare students for practice and to develop their knowledge around: • promoting the social inclusion of people with mental health problems; • the changing context of multidisciplinary mental health services; • an integrated evidence base for practice; and • working with people with mental health problems across the life course. Including new material on proposed reforms to mental health and mental capacity legislation, this book also contains major revisions that focus on the statutory and policy contexts of social work practice as well as ongoing changes in the organisational frameworks for the delivery of services and implications for the social work role. This fully updated third edition is an essential textbook for all social work students taking undergraduate and postgraduate qualifying degrees, and it will also be invaluable for practitioners undertaking post-qualifying awards in mental health social work.
"A valuable resource for all those engaged in post-qualifying social work practice, ... It is impressive in its coverage of contemporary social work practice across the four countries of the UK" Professor Jackie Powell, University of Southampton "The PQ landscape is complex and changing fast, so the reader will be grateful to Pat Higham and her colleagues for this clear and comprehensive analysis of PQ" Professor Mark Doel, Sheffield Hallam University. " a comprehensive introduction to social work education at post-qualifying level. It identifies the key issues qualified social workers need to consider in contemporary practice and enables them to engage in critical reflection through the development of their post-qualifying expertise." Professor John Harris, University of Warwick This core textbook provides an authoritative overview of the post-qualifying awards in social work. Written in response to recent policy and training guidelines, the book will enhance social workers′ post-qualifying knowledge, skills and values within specialist areas of practice. The book will: - Use critical self-appraisal to construct different ways of thinking about and doing social work - Encourage reflection on their practice - Enable social workers to build confidence in their professional identity - Move from competence to increased capability and to expertise - Help social workers to explore values dilemmas - Increase social workers′ knowledge for practice - Promote learning and career development. This book examines core assumptions about post qualifying practice - that values and relationships (including partnerships with service users) are essential to good practice, that social workers will work in diverse organisational structures and that social workers in the United Kingdom should become aware of European models of social work.
This book draws on both the historical context and contemporary research evidence to present the roles of the Mental Health Social Worker, the Approved Mental Health Professional and Best Interest Assessor, within an ethical framework. Codes of practice and statutory legal requirements, such as the Mental Health Act, Mental Capacity Act and the Human Rights Act, are all considered and linked to a competency-based approach that will assist both those in training and those in practice to understand the dilemmas, complexities and conflicts that are evident in the practice environment.
"A valuable resource for all those engaged in post-qualifying social work practice, ... It is impressive in its coverage of contemporary social work practice across the four countries of the UK" Professor Jackie Powell, University of Southampton "The PQ landscape is complex and changing fast, so the reader will be grateful to Pat Higham and her colleagues for this clear and comprehensive analysis of PQ" Professor Mark Doel, Sheffield Hallam University. " a comprehensive introduction to social work education at post-qualifying level. It identifies the key issues qualified social workers need to consider in contemporary practice and enables them to engage in critical reflection through the development of their post-qualifying expertise." Professor John Harris, University of Warwick This core textbook provides an authoritative overview of the post-qualifying awards in social work. Written in response to recent policy and training guidelines, the book will enhance social workers′ post-qualifying knowledge, skills and values within specialist areas of practice. The book will: - Use critical self-appraisal to construct different ways of thinking about and doing social work - Encourage reflection on their practice - Enable social workers to build confidence in their professional identity - Move from competence to increased capability and to expertise - Help social workers to explore values dilemmas - Increase social workers′ knowledge for practice - Promote learning and career development. This book examines core assumptions about post qualifying practice - that values and relationships (including partnerships with service users) are essential to good practice, that social workers will work in diverse organisational structures and that social workers in the United Kingdom should become aware of European models of social work.
Mental health social workers work within multidisciplinary teams, often based in health settings. The variety of services they work within are shaped by mental health policy that is increasingly being influenced by research evidence of ‘what works’. This book provides an accessible, yet authoritative, guide to the evidence base that underpins contemporary mental health policy in the UK. It critically engages with the notion of evidence-based practice in mental health social work and provides a guide to becoming an evidence-based practitioner. It also provides an accessible guide to appraising quantitative and qualitative research relevant to mental health social work practice.
The first year of practice can be the most challenging for newly qualified social workers. This book takes a practical look at the transition from student to practitioner and covers applying for a first post and managing the first years of practice, including specific guidance on topics such as induction, supervision and Post-Qualifying awards. Also covered are court skills, team working, report writing and record keeping. Each of these sections within the book contains critical commentary from both an employer’s and newly qualified social worker’s perspective, bringing alive the importance of these issues.
Formal education has finally ended, you've passed your exams and you're getting started as a newly qualified social worker (NQSW). As you make the transition from student to fully fledged practitioner, you'll soon discover a whole host of challenges as you hit the ground running in your new career. This handbook will guide you through the initial hurdles you will face in this transitional phase, helping you to fully understand your role and how to meet the requirements of NQSW status. The book explores the practicalities of starting work in a new organisation and the professional demands particular to adult and mental health services, such as working jointly with other professions and maintaining your professional identity. A range of strategies are provided for staying motivated, managing stress and developing support networks. The authors also explore the role of supervision and critical reflection, and give advice on continuing professional development. This survival guide is an essential support to students, newly qualified social workers, practice educators and post-qualification practitioners specialising in adult and mental health services.
