Professional Writing For Social Work Practice Second Edition

This invaluable guide helps social workers develop the writing skills necessary for a successful career. Actual examples drawn from all arenas of social work demonstrate strong and problematic writing. Organized around the core social work curriculum, the book’s examples are applicable to every foundation course. Each example begins with field notes and proceeds through drafts to the final version, with explanations about corrections. Readers learn by doing through exercises interspersed throughout. Written by a social work and an English professor, the book provides a fusion of writing and practice, covering all the tools necessary for developing professional social work writing skills. Key Features: Provides chapters for each of the BSW/MSW foundational courses (HBSE, Practice, Policy, Research, and Fieldwork) to exemplify writing expectations in each area. Juxtaposes original drafts and corrected final versions with explanations about corrections made to highlight common mistakes. Includes writing samples used in actual practice such as research reports, court documentation, grant applications, intake forms, progress notes, press releases, and case assessments that exemplify every day challenges. Provides self-assessments and exercises to help readers identify their strengths and challenges. Highlights typical writing challenges including sentence structure, punctuation, use of voice and excessive verbiage, and sample resumes and cover letters, providing a valuable lifetime resource. Encourages practice in writing in different contexts and with different audiences to prepare readers for working in any social work venue. Covers legal and ethical issues and writing to influence policy and transmit research findings. New to this edition: Emphasizes writing fundamentals (new Ch. 1) by breaking the process into steps from note taking, to rough drafts, to editing the final version, to help students master most writing tasks. Connects critical thinking (new Ch. 2) and cultural competency skills (new Ch. 3) to writing and infuses this information throughout the book. Addresses CSWE 2015 EPAS and competencies to better prepare readers for writing professional documentation. Discusses the use of the APA style used in social work practice. Provides instructor’s resources including Power Points, a sample syllabus, and assignments, tips, and activities for using the book in writing and foundational courses. Designed for writing-specific social work courses such as interviewing and documentation, professional seminars, as well as writing modules in all BSW and MSW foundation courses, this book is ideal for anyone interested in strengthening their social work writing skills.

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Social workers are required to communicate in writing for a range of purposes, and to write effectively for a range of audiences. This new edition of the best-selling Writing Skills for Social Workers 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

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 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.

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.

Skills lie at the heart of all actions of a social worker, and inform all aspects of practice – from drawing on vital theoretical and ethical frameworks to applying the law and research findings to particular situations. This user-friendly and logically organised text book brings together in one place all the vital skill sets which students need to acquire in order to qualify as social workers. It reflects current practice frameworks and addresses a wide range of skills including communication and relationship building, professional writing, ethical practice, assessment and reflection. his engaging and practical book is essential reading for social work students taking skills and practice modules as well as being a critical tool for practitioners looking to enhance their skills in social work practice.

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.