The Assertive Social Worker


Book Description

Would you like to feel more in control of yourself and your work? To cope comfortably with any demands the day throws at you? Deal easily with situations without guilt or worry? If so, this is the book for you! Social work is a stimulating and exciting career - but it can also be frustrating and exhausting. It’s easy to get so caught up in the challenges of work that it becomes difficult to see the wood from the trees. If only you were able to step back. The Assertive Social Worker will provide you with the tools to do just that and, as a result, will empower you to do your job better. By treating assertiveness as a set of skills which can be learned, practised and refined, the author opens the door to a way of thinking and behaving which can turn your whole life around. Although assertiveness may not traditionally have been associated with social work or the broader range of caring professions, it is based upon respect for yourself and others - a clear parallel with the underlying principles of your chosen career.




The Assertiveness Guide for Women


Book Description

Isn’t it time you took a stand? Many women struggle with assertiveness, but if you’re prone to anxiety and avoidance, it is especially difficult. Grounded in attachment theory, this essential guide will help you identify your thoughts and feelings, balance your emotions, communicate your needs, and set healthy boundaries to improve your life. When you’re assertive, you’re able to communicate your needs and wishes clearly while respecting yourself and anyone else involved in the interaction. But when you aren’t assertive, you may stop yourself from saying anything when your needs aren’t being met, or end up lashing out in hostile or hurtful ways. People with different attachment styles struggle with being assertive for different reasons, and even women with a secure attachment style may have difficulty expressing emotion when faced with challenging circumstances. Using strategies based in mindfulness, cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT), and dialectical behavior therapy (DBT), The Assertiveness Guide for Women can help you understand the attachment styles that keep you from asserting yourself. You’ll learn about the three communication stances—from the passive Doormat to the aggressive (or passive-aggressive) Sword to the assertive Lantern—and find practical examples that show you how to apply your new communication and emotional awareness skills in your own life. Rather than being caught in a cycle of rumination and regret when you’re unable to express yourself or even acknowledge your own needs, you’ll be ready to assert yourself and get what you want. Whether you’re anxious and overwhelmed by the intensity of your emotions, avoidant and struggle to identify your emotions, or otherwise have difficulty expressing yourself, this book will help you become more aware of your own thoughts and feelings, and empower you to ask for what you need, set boundaries, and speak your truth for a more fulfilling life.




Social Work Licensing Advanced Generalist Exam Guide, Third Edition


Book Description

Features improved ASWB exam prep strategies, expanded analysis of exam content, and proven test-taking tips! The third edition of the bestselling acclaimed exam guide for the ASWB Social Work Advanced Generalist Exam has been thoroughly updated to reflect current practice and core knowledge tested on the exam. Recognized for its unique test-taking tips and strategies, Dawn Apgar’s complete review of the Knowledge Skills and Abilities (KSAs) across the core social work content areas helps readers discover gaps in their knowledge so they can identify strengths and target weak areas. Included with every print purchase is a bonus 170-question practice test that mirrors the actual exam in length and structure, plus explains correct answers. KSAs are identified for each question so test-takers can easily locate relevant source material for further study. Dawn Apgar’s guide for the Social Work Licensing Advanced Generalist Exam is the best test-taking package available, ensuring success by providing invaluable tips on how to parse the questions, overcome test anxiety, avoid common pitfalls, and assess your own learning style -; all of which help to foster exam confidence. The new updated third edition not only reflects the 2018 test blueprint, but is significantly revised and reformatted to help test-takers pass the exam on the first try. Revised content includes content on racial/cultural groups, NASW Code of Ethics, including the ethical use of technology, and gender diversity. New to the Third Edition: How to Use This Guide - brand new chapter focused on how the book’s content structure links to the ASWB blueprint and how to use for more efficient study Examination Overview - expanded discussion and analysis of exam content Exam Preparation Strategies -; new content focused on essential strategies for success, how to deal with test anxiety, and how to maximize content retention based on learning styles Test Taking Tips -; a favorite with test takers, this feature has been updated to be more even more helpful New Content -; revised content on race, ethnicity, and culture, and macro practice Key Features: Authoritative -; developed and written by a renowned social work educator who has helped thousands of test takers pass the exam through her workshops and books Blueprints - provides a thorough content review of the ASWB exam core content areas, perfectly weighted to match licensing blueprints Self-assessment - begins with a self-assessment to help identify areas of strength and weakness Practice Test - includes a 170-question full practice test mirroring the actual exam with detailed explanations of correct answers




Experiencing Social Work


Book Description

′Experiencing Social Work provides a refreshing change in the expanse of social work education texts. Its focus on learning from people who had received a good service from social workers drew out many of the foundation blocks of practice that can so easily be minimised in favour of ′deeper academic theories′. In short, it reminded me of my own passion for practice and the privilege it is to be part of the social work profession′ - Kay Wall, Lecturer in Social Work In this book people tell their stories of positive social work and the difference it has made to their lives. The book was inspired by the belief that we can learn more from what goes right than what goes wrong. Follow the stories in each chapter to read about good practice, to reflect on the lessons learned, and to feel uplifted by social work′s potential for positive change and social justice. Other key features include: " Case examples from a wide range of service user groups, including people with mental health problems, disabilities, parenting difficulties, those living in care, those experiencing loss and other life transitions. " Commentaries that unpack the core themes and issues from each example in order to understand the experience and learn from it. " Examples of how social work students have contributed to positive change in the lives of service users. " A strong grounding in the ethical guidelines and skills base required of all social work practice. This important book will be valuable reading for all undergraduate social work students and will also be useful for qualified social workers, service users and carers. Mark Doel is based at the Centre for Health and Social Care Research, Sheffield Hallam University. Lesley Best is based at the School of Health, University of Northampton.




Courtroom Skills for Social Workers


Book Description

This book throws light on legal and courtroom processes and procedures, encouraging readers to see involvement with the courts as a positive element of their practice, rather than something to be afraid of. By encouraging social workers to develop the skills to perform confidently in the court environment, they will be better able to support service users faced with court involvement. This guide is presented within an integrated framework of law and social work and gives a unique opportunity to demystify courtroom and legal procedures and to identify the skills required of social workers involved in court work.




Keeping Safe and Working Effectively For Social Workers and Health Professionals


Book Description

Social workers and health professionals are often placed in situations where they are verbally or physically threatened by service users and others. This book helps them recognise potential risks in situations, when to avoid involvement, and how best to manage these risks, giving them the confidence to work effectively. Suitable for practitioners, students, leaders and supervisors, this book covers topics such as managing risks, improving safety awareness, teamwork and organisational support within the modern-day context. Specifically, this second edition includes: Interviews from current senior and first line managers in children’s and adult social care and health services, front line staff and more. A new chapter on managing online and digital issues including managing the transition of back to work after Covid-19. Greater emphasis on the responsibilities of employers and their duty of care to staff. Further elaboration on the impairment of decision-making under stress caused by imitation and threat. The use of new therapeutic approaches in reducing threat from service users and better responding to their needs. This book helps students to become aware of the factors which may affect judgement in child protection cases and assist in managing cases on placement. It helps professional practitioners in managing the anxieties associated with their current case load and provides strategies to manage these unfortunately common workplace experiences.




Personal Safety for Social Workers and Health Professionals


Book Description

Social workers and health professionals are often placed in situations where they are verbally or physically threatened by service users and others.This book helps you recognise potential risk in situations, when to avoid involvement, and how best to manage these risks. The book will give professionals confidence in working effectively in such conditions. The book covers the theoretical understanding of the impact of threats on professional safety and decision-making, including: the reality of the experience of social workers and other professionals – statistics and case examples the impact of physical and psychological threat hostage theory as it applies to social work It also addresses actions that workers can take to greatly reduce risk such as: improving safety awareness teamwork support supervision organisational responses and the duty of care of employers Practical steps that workers can take to protect themselves are explained including: conflict management, diffusion and de-escalation techniques basic self-protection –very simple defence mechanisms This book will appeal to both practitioners and students. It helps students to become aware of the factors which may affect judgement in child protection cases and assist in managing cases on placement. It helps professional practitioners in managing the anxieties associated with their current case load and provides strategies to manage these unfortunately common workplace experiences.




Courtroom and Report Writing Skills for Social Workers


Book Description

This new text will build on Courtroom Skills for Social Workers, by updating the legal and research content and strengthening the material on recording. There will also be additional contributions from service users and more practice examples, so as to make the book interesting and relevant for qualified social workers. It will assist social workers in meeting their CPD requirements for continuing registration and also offer a framework for short in-service training courses on court skills and recording, both areas in which social workers′ performance comes under the scrutiny of other professionals.




Generalist Social Work Practice


Book Description

"Generalist Social Work Practice is designed for use in practice courses in social work at the undergraduate level. This text provides the theoretical and practical knowledge needed for entry-level social work. Material is presented covering generalist practice, social work values, confidentiality, principles of interviewing, skills required for social work with individuals, groups, families, organizations and community practice. It also covers assessment, evaluation, evidence-based practice, general systems theory, diversity, self-care, and the frustrations and satisfactions of being a social worker. The text describes a variety of approaches to social work practice including cognitive therapy, reality therapy, rational therapy, and behavior therapy. Case examples are included to illustrate the theories that are presented. A large number of skill building exercises are included so that readers can practice applying theoretical concepts"--




A Contemporary History of Social Work


Book Description

In this book, Terry Bamford challenges social work students and professionals to understand why social work has failed to maintain its position as a driver of social reform. Drawing lessons from the recent history of social work to identify how and why it has lost influence, Bamford looks forward to a new model of practice that places a commitment to social justice at the heart of the profession. The book also contributes to topical debates about social work education and the identity of the profession, encouraging critical thinking about organization models, practice content, and the meaning of professionalism in social work.