Knowledge Employability Social Works

Work-Related Learning and the Social Sciences provides a clear and accessible introduction to the theory and practice of work. Written in a student friendly style, it makes use of the following: Theoretical Perspectives: The theoretical foundations of identity, power, community, citizenship, experiential learning and a range of employability skills provide frameworks for the chapters. Key issues: The book addresses such issues as: How are people socialised at work? Why does conflict occur at work? What types of control are exerted at work? What can we learn about our communities from the work we do? How can we develop our employability skills? Sector examples: Extensive use is made of examples of the working practices of teachers, social workers, police officers, civil servants, third sector workers as well as from people engaged in low skilled work. The student voice: The student voice draws upon the relationship between their own experiences of work and the key issues covered in the book. Written as an introductory text for students studying the social sciences, it deals with the ways in which students can appreciate the sociology and politics of work and develop an understanding of their own skills and employability. This book is particularly relevant to students studying work-related learning as part of their social science degrees and to those who wish to enhance their employability and prospects in graduate level employment.

Excellent social work education and training is vital for ensuring best practice, and it is important to understand the key approaches and methods in order to provide the best teaching and ensure effective learning. This volume provides an overview of social work education, including the background and current context. It covers the key debates surrounding social work education, such as the evaluation of social work education, the use of IT, research-mindedness, and the effectiveness of interdisciplinary education. The book also offers guidance on effective teaching and learning approaches tailored to the needs of social work educators, covering teaching within a higher education institution, on student practice placements, and in post-qualifying settings. This will be an indispensable text for educators and trainers in the field of social work.

This much-needed volume presents the state of the art in the field of occupational social work. The seven chapters provide an in-depth discussion of the essential skills needed and current issues that are encountered by occupational social workers in diversified occupational settings including private industry, union based programs, human resource management, career consultation, managed health care, and occupational health and safety. The book also provides a historical context and a conceptualization of the still evolving field of occupational social work. Occupational Social Work Today is a timely and informative volume for social work students as well as experienced social work practitioners who are interested in moving into the arena of occupational social work. BACKCOVER COPY Social workers have expanded their interest and presence in the past two decades in response to the enormous changes in the world of work. Whether as counselors, advocates, mediators, consultants, teachers, trainers, or program planners, their roles are essential for tackling the complex needs of today's workplace. This much-needed volume presents the state of the art in the field of occupational social work. Experts address the essential skills needed and current issues that are encountered by occupational social workers in diversified occupational settings including private industry, union-based programs, human resource management, career consultation, managed health care, and occupational health and safety. Occupational Social Work Today explores the various services provided by occupational social workers, focusing on their valuable skills and their roles in the workplace. Employees of today must often overcome a number of obstacles in their personal and family life to be effective and productive on the job. In addition, rapidly changing economic, political, social, demographic, and legal forces have compelled employers to provide a growing number of programs and services for those who are or have been employed, as well as for employees'family members. Occupational Social Work Today illustrates how social workers use their specialized knowledge, skills, and values to provide services, programs, and policy directions for workers and work organizations in many capacities--particularly employee assistance programs, health promotion, and affirmative action; and briefly focusing on child and elder care, career development and training, pre- and post-retirement planning, and relocation assistance. Occupational Social Work Today is a timely and informative volume for social work students as well as experienced social work practitioners who are interested in moving into the arena of occupational social work.

The knowledge economy conjures a world of smart people, in smart jobs, doing smart things, in smart ways, for smart money, a world increasingly open to all rather than a few. Glossy corporate brochures present a future in challenging, exciting and financially rewarding jobs for the winners in the competition for fast track management appointments. They also convey an image of enlightened employers actively seeking to diversify their talent pool, reflected in their approach toidentifying, hiring and retaining outstanding talent.We are told that the challenge confronting governments around the world is to enhance the employability of the workforce. Every effort must be made to expand access to higher education, dismantle barriers to talent regardless of social circumstances, gender, or skin colour, and to harness human creativity and enterprise to meet the demands of the new economy.The Mismanagement of Talent comes to a different conclusion. Those leaving the world of mass higher education find themselves in a scramble for jobs with rising stakes for the winners and losers. The Mismanagement of Talent examines what determines the outcome of this race when a degree loses its badge of distinction. It shows how some graduates are playing 'the game' to win a competitive advantage and what really happens in the selection events of leading-edge employers. It also argues thattalent is being mismanaged by employers that have yet to come to terms with the realities and possibilities of mass higher education.The Mismanagement of Talent will be thought-provoking and controversial reading for those involved in the recruitment of graduates, and those concerned with the way knowledge-based firms recruit and the impact of higher education policy:Professionals working in university careers services, HRM, training, or recruitment generally; Researchers, academics, or students of Business and Management, Human Resource Management, Public Policy, Education, or Sociology; and Job candidates themselves - the 'players' and 'purists' described in the book.

PRAISE FOR THE FIRST EDITION: "This is a vital and necessary guide to the social work profession. This book clarifies the social work mission, goals, and objectives, and strengthens and promotes them as well." óCarmen Ortiz Hendricks, MSW, DSW, ACSW, LCSW Professor & Dean, Wurzweiler School of Social Work, Yeshiva University "The authors do an excellent job of illustrating the uniqueness, diversity, and richness of the profession. I strongly recommend this book for use in social work orientation, advising, and education." óSaundra Starks, EdD, LCSW, Professor, Western Kentucky University What do documentary filmmakers, conflict mediators, forensic social workers, researchers, mental health practitioners, human services administrators, medical social workers, and policy advocates have in common? They are all potential careers for social workers. The second edition of this popular guide to social work careers has been completely updated and expanded to reflect current trends in social work education and social work practice, including the employment outlook in various fields of practice, current accreditation standards, core competencies, and licensing requirements, along with new opportunities for social workers resulting from health care reform and the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act. With a focus on the interdisciplinary nature of social work, the book describes both traditional careers and those that are off the beaten path in such arenas as forensic social work, social entrepreneurship, working in political systems, international careers, and community practice. Well organized and written in a conversational tone, each chapter describes a particular social work domain, illustrating specific careers within that field including best features, challenges, required core competencies and skills, and educational and licensing requirements needed to succeed. For each career the book also discusses employment outlook and includes recommended references for more in-depth information. Vivid stories from social workers across the country further help readers to choose a career that is a good fit. Additionally, the book includes updated job-hunting tools and websites, including international opportunities, and ways to offset the high cost of higher education. Questionnaires and self-assessment checklists provide additional fodder to help readers choose a social work career tailored to their unique talents, interests, and passions. New to the Second Edition: Presents updated accreditation standards, core competencies, and licensing requirements Describes new opportunities for social workers resulting from health care reform and the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act Discusses the impact of our current social, economic, and political climate on the profession Includes new career-planning and job-hunting tools Addresses how students can offset the high cost of higher education

Work-related learning can be broadly seen to be concerned with all forms of education and training closely related to the daily work of (new) employees, and is increasingly playing a central role in the lives of individuals, groups or teams and the agenda’s of organizations. However, as this area of study becomes more prominent, debates have opened about the nature of the field, as well as about its configurations and effects. For example, some authors have a broad definition of WRL and define it as learning for work, at work and through work, ranging from formal, through semi-structured to informal learning. Others prefer to use the concept of WRL mainly in connection to informal, incidental learning processes during work, leading to competent workplace learners. Formal and informal learning are distinguished from each other with respect to the level of intention (implicit/non-intentional/incidental versus deliberative/intentional/structured). Another point of discussion originates from the different ‘theoretical backgrounds’ of the authors: the ‘learning theorists’ versus the ‘organizational theorists’. The first group is mainly interested in the question of how learning comes about; the second group is predominantly interested in the search for factors affecting learning.

This book will provide you with the initial developing knowledge and skills needed to practice ethically and effectively with children and families. It will take you on a journey, introducing you to all the relevant theory, legislation and skills for practice, using case studies, activities and research summaries to help you navigate the complexities and challenges along the way. Since launching in 2003, Transforming Social Work Practice has become the market-leading series for social work students. These books use activities and case studies to build critical thinking and reflection skills and will help social work students to develop good practice through learning. This best-selling student series is: · Affordable · Written to the Professional Capabilities Framework · Mapped to the social work curriculum · Practical with clear links between theory and practice

′Comprehensive and user-friendly. The book is helpfully constructed around a number of key themes, starting with a good attempt to define social work from historical and international perspectives and moving on to address key issues concerning the practice, knowledge, values and skills required from contemporary social work in the UK. I believe social work students, newly qualified and experienced social workers will find ths a valuable resource, especially when one is confronted by challenges in practice′ - Professional Social Work ′Social Work is a good overview that should refresh learner and tutor alike. Pratice assessors may find this book a useful update for their work with students and also a neat refresher. It is a well-written and up-to-date text, with a good sense of where future challenges lie for the social work profession in the UK. Higham is confident enough to voice the profession′s uncertainties as well as mapping the changing organisational landscape that social workers might populate. [This book] is likely to appear on many social work reading lists. [It has] the potential to provide good learning opportunities for post-qualifying as well as pre-qualifying training′ - Health and Social Care in the Community `The unique aspect of this book which distinguishes it from other competitors is that it is constructed explicitly around the key roles and benchmark statements... this book will offer something new and interesting to the growing field of social work education literature and is likely to be relevant to both students and practitioners in the UK and elsewhere′ - Dr Caroline Skehill, Queens University Belfast What is the role of social work? What does it mean to be a social worker? What are the changes affecting social work training? Social Work: Introducing Professional Practice addresses these questions and provides an understanding of the knowledge, values, and skills requirements of professional social work. The author has played a key role in constructing the subject benchmarks for the social work degree and offers a reflective and thoughtful commentary upon training, education and practice. Written in a lively and readable style, the book captures the essence of the changes sweeping through social work and engages the reader in these debates. Key features of this book include: - Comprehensive content structured around the guidelines for training and practice - Bridges the gap between theory and real-life practice - Student-friendly features such as case-studies, discussion questions, further reading and a glossary This exciting publication will be a core textbook for trainee social workers as they progress through the qualifying social work degree, or as they begin their practice as newly qualified workers seeking to consolidate their learning.