Placements are a key part of social work training. They can be one of the most challenging things you do. But for many students they are also the most rewarding and invigorating aspect of learning. They are your chance to put academic learning into practice and actually 'do' some social work. They are also an opportunity to link up with other practitioners and learn from their wealth of experience. From the beginning of your first placement to the end of your final one, this book will: a- answer many of your questions and concerns a- provide practical tips, exercises and advice to build your confidence and enable you to take control of your learning a- support you in developing professionally, including dealing with difficult situations should these arise a- help to improve your critical thinking skills and your skill in practising reflectively. Surviving Your Social Work Placement is written in a straightforward, down-to-earth style, by authors with extensive experience of social work education and practice. It draws directly on the advice of past and present social work students. This is a book you will return to again and again as a rich source of ideas and guidance at any stage of your social work training.

Table of Contents

About the author team Introduction Getting Started Learning in Practice Using Theory in Practice Keeping Service Users Central to Your Learning and Practice Making the most of Supervision Being Assessed Managing Stress on Placement Troubleshooting Moving on From Your Placement Appendix A National Occupational Standards for Social Work (England, Wales and Northern Ireland) Appendix B Standards in Social Work Education (Scotland)

Author Biography

Robert Lomax is Staff Tutor, HSC South West Region for The Open University, UK. Karen Jones is Professional Lead and Senior Lecturer in Social Work in the Faculty of Health and Social Care at the University of West of England, UK. She is the co-author of Best Practice in Social Work, also published by Palgrave Macmillan. Sarah Leigh is Senior Lecturer in Social Work at the University of the West of England, UK. Chris Gay is Practice Learning Co-ordinator at South Gloucestershire Council, UK.