Professionalism Social Work Skills in Practice

Dr Godfred Boahen and Dr Fran Wiles' book "Professional in Social Work: Developing Self-Management Skills" explores the concept of professionalism in social work and the skills and values needed to excel in the field. The authors argue that self-management is the guiding thread behind these skills and capabilities and provides practical advice for developing self-management, emotional intelligence, and self-efficacy. The book also covers professional social work communication skills, safeguarding, leadership skills, and professional development. It is a valuable resource for social work students, practitioners, and academics, offering theoretical knowledge and evidence-informed skills relevant to day-to-day practice.

Format: Paperback / softback
Length: 192 pages
Publication date: 19 November 2018
Publisher: Open University Press

Dr. Godfred Boahen is a Policy and Research Officer at the British Association of Social Workers (BASW), a prominent professional body in the United Kingdom. He holds a Ph.D. in Social Work and has extensive experience in the field. Dr. Boahen's research interests include social work education, policy, and practice.

Dr. Fran Wiles is a qualified social worker registered with the Health and Care Professions Council (HCPC) and a Senior Lecturer in Social Work at the Open University, one of the UK's leading universities for distance learning. She has a wealth of experience in social work education and practice. Dr. Wiles's research focuses on social work education, professional development, and the impact of social work on society.

Being 'professional in social work' encompasses a range of skills and values that are essential for effective practice. These include self-management, which is considered a key component of professionalism. Self-management refers to the ability of social workers to effectively manage their own time, emotions, and workload, as well as to develop and maintain positive relationships with service users and colleagues.

Developing self-management skills is crucial for social workers because they are often required to work in complex and challenging environments, where they may face high levels of stress and pressure. By developing self-management skills, social workers can improve their ability to cope with these challenges, maintain their professionalism, and provide high-quality services to their clients.

In addition to self-management, social workers should also develop other professional skills and values, such as empathy, communication, and problem-solving. Empathy is the ability to understand and relate to the experiences of others, while communication is the ability to convey information effectively and listen actively. Problem-solving is the ability to identify and address complex social issues.

Social workers should also prioritize the development of values such as integrity, respect, and accountability. These values are essential for building trust with service users and colleagues and for maintaining the integrity of the social work profession.

Developing self-management, emotional intelligence, and self-efficacy through an exploration of evidence-based literature, research notes, and case studies is an important aspect of professional social work development. This can help social workers to refine their skills, stay up-to-date with the latest research and practices, and provide high-quality services to their clients.

Professional social work communication is also an essential skill for social workers. This includes effective communication with service users, colleagues, and other professionals, as well as the ability to advocate for social justice and promote social change.

In conclusion, being 'professional in social work' requires the development of self-management, emotional intelligence, and self-efficacy, as well as the deployment of appropriate skills to motivate and empower service users to change problematic behaviors. By prioritizing the development of these skills and values, social workers can improve their effectiveness in practice and contribute to the well-being of their clients and society as a whole.

Weight: 300g
Dimension: 240 x 166 x 9 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9780335263486