Effective Writing Skills For Social Work Students

This concise text is written specifically to help students and practitioners hone their techniques and develop their skills when it comes to writing in a clear, accessible and, above all, rigorous manner. There are sections on good essay writing and how to construct an argument, referencing and plagiarism, and reflective and critical writing. More than just another study skills book, Effective Writing Skills for Social Work is focused on real, day-to-day practice issues and the complex academic demands faced by social work students.

This concise text is written specifically to help students and practitioners hone their techniques and develop their skills when it comes to writing in a clear, accessible and, above all, rigorous manner. There are sections on good essay writing and how to construct an argument, referencing and plagiarism, and reflective and critical writing. More than just another study skills book, Effective Writing Skills for Social Work is focused on real, day-to-day practice issues and the complex academic demands faced by social work students.

Social workers are required to communicate in writing for a range of purposes and audiences. The new edition of this best-selling book aims to raise the profile of writing skills in social work practice. It encourages the development of writing techniques which will stand the reader in good stead throughout their professional career. Examples of the types of writing covered include: - Case-notes - Reports - Proposals - Literature reviews - Journal articles - Funding applications. Reflective exercises, hot tips for effective writing and further reading are included in each chapter. The book is also linked to the professional standards that structure training, practice and continuing professional development. It will be an essential study guide for all students, practitioners and managers in social work settings.

This accessible book aims to help social workers write clearly, accurately and objectively in all contexts, so that they can communicate effectively with multiple audiences. The book gives social workers practical guidance and advice on how to write unambiguously, efficiently and analytically, demonstrating how important writing skills are to the professional identity of social workers. Topics covered include: -Techniques for planning and organising your writing -A refresher on grammar rules to enable you to write with clarity -Viewing critical writing as part of the process of decision making and thinking -Guidance on using professional anti-oppressive language and vocabulary appropriate to different audiences -Advice on all communication types, including emails, letters, case notes, reports, funding applications, text messages and social media -Information on the legal frameworks you need to be aware of when recording events, conversations and recommendations Each chapter contains exercises and examples of good analytical writing, to help writers to develop their own competence. Case studies drawn from real scenarios relate the skills being discussed directly to practice. This book is an indispensable manual for all social work students, newly qualified social workers and experienced professionals who want a practical guide to improving their writing. Communication, including writing skills, is an essential aspect of effective social work practice. Taking a practical and reflective approach, this text covers the foundations of professional writing in social work. Writing matters, and this text serves as a useful resource to engage in and master effective writing skills for social work students all the way to seasoned social work practitioners. Barbra Teater, Professor of Social Work, College of Staten Island, City University of New York, USA This book forms part of the Social Work Skills in Practice series. The series focuses on key social work skills required for working with children and adult service users, families and carers. The books offer both theoretical and evidence-informed knowledge, alongside the application of skills relevant for day-to-day social work practice. They are an invaluable resource for pre-qualifying students, newly-qualified social workers, academics teaching and researching in the field, as well as social work practitioners, including practice educators, pursuing continuous professional development. Louise Frith is a Student Learning Advisor at the University of Kent, UK, specialising in writing skills and writing for academic purposes. She teaches across disciplines, including working with students on the BA and MA social work programmes. Ruben Martin is Honorary Senior Lecturer in Social Work at the University of Kent, UK and a freelance Practice Educator and Consultant. He has also authored Teamworking Skills for Social Workers, in this Social Work Skills in Practice series.

This accessible book aims to help social workers write clearly, accurately and objectively in all contexts, so that they can communicate effectively with multiple audiences. The book gives social workers practical guidance and advice on how to write unambiguously, efficiently and analytically, demonstrating how important writing skills are to the professional identity of social workers. Topics covered include: •Techniques for planning and organising your writing •A refresher on grammar rules to enable you to write with clarity •Viewing critical writing as part of the process of decision making and thinking •Guidance on using professional anti-oppressive language and vocabulary appropriate to different audiences •Advice on all communication types, including emails, letters, case notes, reports, funding applications, text messages and social media •Information on the legal frameworks you need to be aware of when recording events, conversations and recommendations Each chapter contains exercises and examples of good analytical writing, to help writers to develop their own competence. Case studies drawn from real scenarios relate the skills being discussed directly to practice. This book is an indispensable manual for all social work students, newly qualified social workers and experienced professionals who want a practical guide to improving their writing. Communication, including writing skills, is an essential aspect of effective social work practice. Taking a practical and reflective approach, this text covers the foundations of professional writing in social work. Writing matters, and this text serves as a useful resource to engage in and master effective writing skills for social work students all the way to seasoned social work practitioners. Barbra Teater, Professor of Social Work, College of Staten Island, City University of New York, USA This book forms part of the Social Work Skills in Practice series. The series focuses on key social work skills required for working with children and adult service users, families and carers. The books offer both theoretical and evidence-informed knowledge, alongside the application of skills relevant for day-to-day social work practice. They are an invaluable resource for pre-qualifying students, newly-qualified social workers, academics teaching and researching in the field, as well as social work practitioners, including practice educators, pursuing continuous professional development. Louise Frith is a Student Learning Advisor at the University of Kent, UK, specialising in writing skills and writing for academic purposes. She teaches across disciplines, including working with students on the BA and MA social work programmes. Ruben Martin is Honorary Senior Lecturer in Social Work at the University of Kent, UK and a freelance Practice Educator and Consultant. He has also authored Teamworking Skills for Social Workers, in this Social Work Skills in Practice series.

Based on original research, this book offers students an insight into the nature and challenges of writing in social work practice, enabling them to improve their writing skills. It explores the ways in which both students and qualified social workers can be more effective in their writing through an awareness of the purpose, context and audience. It makes explicit the connections and differences between learning to write in university and communicating through writing in practice and explores the impact that new technologies have on academic and professional writing. Drawing on both research and examples from practice, Effective writing for social work is a valuable tool for students, educators, practitioners and managers to critically examine ways in which writing could better support best practice in social work.

`This work provides some tools for sharpening thinking, writing and practice. It is a readable, accessible and highly relevant text, suitable for all social workers' - Professional Social Work `This book will become a key reference text for many social workers both while studying and as established professionals. A well -thumbed text on the bookshelf!' - Janice West, Glasgow Caledonian University Social workers are required to communicate in writing for a range of purposes, and to write effectively for a range of audiences, such as clients, team members, magistrates and policy makers. Writing Skills for Social Workers aims to raise the profile of writing skills in social work practice, and to enhance social workers' written communication skills. The book adopts a logical progression, and each chapter identifies and contextualises the practical skills needed at specific points in training and practice. Overall it will encourage the development of writing skills and techniques which will stand the reader in good stead throughout their professional career. Key features of the book include: " training in core professional writing tasks, particularly case-notes, report and proposal writing " guidance in advanced writing skills, such as writing literature reviews, journal articles, conference papers and funding applications. " a discussion of ethical issues and values, including client confidentiality, privacy and empowerment " advice on using these skills to contribute to the formal knowledge base of social work through the publication of research. By adopting a practical approach the authors have included a number of pedagogical features such as reflective exercises, writing tips for specific tasks, and guidelines for further reading. This engaging book satisfies statutory requirements for training and continuing professional development. It will therefore be an essential study guide for all students, practitioners and managers in social work settings.

Writing is an important skill, not just for a social work degree, but also as an integral part of practice. Social workers need to be able to write effectively in a range of formats for different contexts. Equipping students with guidance on both academic and assessed writing, and writing in social work practice, this book will use case studies and examples to develop their ability to plan and respond to the challenges of new and familiar writing tasks.