This series of books from Learning Matters is aimed at busy social work and health care practitioners, particularly in the context of integrated health and social care, who are looking to enhance their skills and extend their knowledge. Written from a practical point of view, they have clear links to both qualifying training as well as CPD. They are up-to-date, accessible and totally skills focused.   Practice education has never had a more important role in the development and delivery of quality social work practice. Updated to include the BASW (2022) Practice Educator Professional Standards, this Sixth Edition provides step-by-step guidance and support to those undertaking practice educator awards and to those new to the practice education role.  

Critical thinking can appear formal and academic, far removed from everyday life where decisions have to be taken quickly in less than ideal conditions. It is, however, a vital part of social work, and indeed any healthcare and leadership practice. Taking a pragmatic look at the range of ideas associated with critical thinking, this Fifth Edition continues to focus on learning and development for practice. The authors discuss the importance of sound, moral judgement based on critical thinking and practical reasoning, and its application to different workplace situations; critical reflection, and its importance to academic work and practice; and the connection between critical thinking ideas and professionalism.

This series of books from Learning Matters is aimed at busy social work and health care practitioners, particularly in the context of integrated health and social care, who are looking to enhance their skills and extend their knowledge. Written from a practical point of view, they have clear links to both qualifying training as well as CPD. They are up-to-date, accessible and totally skills focused.   Practice education has never had a more important role in the development and delivery of quality social work practice. Updated to include the BASW (2022) Practice Educator Professional Standards, this Sixth Edition provides step-by-step guidance and support to those undertaking practice educator awards and to those new to the practice education role.  

Critical thinking can appear formal and academic, far removed from everyday life where decisions have to be taken quickly in less than ideal conditions. It is, however, a vital part of social work, and indeed any healthcare and leadership practice. Taking a pragmatic look at the range of ideas associated with critical thinking, this Fifth Edition continues to focus on learning and development for practice. The authors discuss the importance of sound, moral judgement based on critical thinking and practical reasoning, and its application to different workplace situations; critical reflection, and its importance to academic work and practice; and the connection between critical thinking ideas and professionalism.

There has been a recent focus on how practitioners can engage with continuing professional learning and development. This book is written to support and help busy social workers in front line practice, as well as those in leadership and management roles, to achieve the key aims of continuing professional development (CPD) in a post-qualifying social work context.

There are sections on how to engage with CPD at an appropriate level, understanding complex thinking and practices and developing professional reasoning and judgement that can be appropriately recognised and evaluated.

In today's performance driven environment, maintaining service quality in social work is more important than ever. This book will help social work leaders and managers to understand the role that personal and organisational learning plays in the provision of services that are effective and responsive to the needs of service users, carers and the communities. Recent national policy drivers such as the Munro Review into Child Protection (2011) and the recommendations of the Social Work Reform Board (2010) have strengthened the need to embed and enable learning within the workplace. This book is part of a Leadership and Management series which enables managers to understand this need, and respond in a timely and effective way.