In the global emergencies our world faces, the strengths approach is needed now more than ever. Commonly misunderstood, its true power as a whole systems approach to release the potential of individuals, communities and their environments has been neglected. For those brave enough to embrace it, this book offers theoretical and practical encouragement. The authors use a case study of their work with a unique non-governmental organisation in the United Kingdom that combines student placements with support for refugees. They illustrate what it really means to adopt a strengths approach in practice. Chapters include the strengths approach to funding, organisational development, management and governance as well as immigration law, student learning and research. This book will give readers grounds for optimism as well as transferable practices for challenging social injustice.

Involved in educating social work professionals? Overwhelmed and demoralised by the current climate of cuts to services and over-regulation? This unique book written by practice educators, students and academics offers hope. This collection of innovative approaches to social work placements addresses subjects including sustainability, student-led services, overseas placements, the value of the third-sector, supporting students from minority groups and the visual arts. The international and diverse contributions offer practical guidance and challenge conventional approaches to placement finding, teaching and assessment in field education. Written from a global social work perspective this is essential reading for anyone responsible for ensuring quality placements for future professionals.

At a time of acute student placement shortages for all professions, this book proposes original solutions to creating and maintaining high quality opportunities for students. Chapters will explore key concerns including sustainability, food security and preparing social workers for global challenges; supporting students to undertake international placements; working with service users and carers as placement supervisors; developing support for students from minority ethnic groups; raising the profile of men in social work; and service provision through student labour; as well as the pedagogy informing practice learning.Doing fieldwork education will be essential reading for all those responsible for fieldwork education, both in social work worldwide and other professions where practical learning in the workplace is a requirement. With an emphasis on creativity and innovation the book will also appeal to educators charged with developing work-based learning opportunities in wider disciplines such as Health and Social Care studies.