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Print & Digital
| ISBN | PRINT 978-1-55077-269-2 DIGITAL 978-1-55077-274-6 |
| Edition | 1st |
| Year | 2020 |
| Page Count | 320 |
$ 79.95 Digital Version: $54.95
The primary goal of Social Work Practice in Canada is to help students enhance their use of social work knowledge values, and skills as they develop their professional practice and identity. Designed to complement classroom knowledge, this book emphasizes the learning and integration associated with being prepared for and progressing through the field education component of social work curriculum.
This book has been developed from ideas and experiences spanning over three decades in practice and teaching. It embodies the notion that social work practice is holistic and recursive, requiring continuous reflection, thoughtfulness, collaboration, and intentionality.
Each chapter builds on and exemplifies the application of the CASWE-ACFTS accreditation standards, national regulatory requirements, and the notion of meta-competencies. Examples of working with cultural and social diversity are included throughout, with particular attention to the unique positions of Indigenous and francophone people. Various social work approaches are described, with an emphasis on critical and postmodern perspectives.
Features in each chapter include contributions by social workers who share how they have developed their practice competencies, opportunities for students to examine their response to practice scenarios, and ideas for completing field education requirements, including journaling topics.
Ultimately, this book is about preparing for practice, which of course entails “doing” the practice, rather than just “talking” about the practice. Accordingly, in each chapter, practising social workers and social work students recall their own transformative experiences in order to demonstrate the ways that learning has taken place for them.
This book embodies the notion that social work practice is holistic and recursive. While the book does not introduce new theories, values, or skills, the content design of the book falls into three broad sections related to the social worker`s “self,” working with individuals and families at the micro level, and macro practice in community development, social justice and social policy.
While recognizing provincial and territorial uniqueness, two populations have particular considerations within Canadian social work. These are Indigenous peoples and Francophone peoples. The emphasis on Indigenous and Francophone practice and service delivery is integrated into the substance of each chapter in order to underline that these populations are integral and unique to Canadian social work practice.
Field education is most effective when it is purposeful and systematic. This section provides ideas to journal about, critical thinking questions for small group, or seminar discussion, and tangible practical ideas to ensure progress through the field education course.
Each social work program has unique attributes and requirements, and each agency has different opportunities for deeper learning. It is usual to have a faculty person coordinate and oversee the student’s learning in collaboration with an agency supervisor who is an active practitioner in the field.
Each chapter includes practice scenarios that students can work through alone, in small groups, or in a seminar setting. These practice scenarios provide an opportunity to consider, discuss, and reflect on situations that social workers have experienced in practice.
The book is designed around the notion of “threshold concepts” or “meta-competencies” as the foundation of social work practice. While there is no single definitive list of meta-competencies, the ones utilized in this book emerge from the core learning objectives set out by CASWE-ACFTS:
• Identifying as a professional social worker
• Engaging in reflexive practice
• Employing critical thinking
• Ensuring professional judgements and decision-making
• Adhering to social work values and ethics
• Respecting diversity and difference
• Conducting assessments
• Developing professional relationships
• Applying knowledge of human development and behaviour
• Planning and delivering services and interventions
• Promoting community sustainability
• Advocating for human rights and social justice
• Conducting policy analysis and development
• Engaging in research and research-based practice
• Participating and leading organizational and societal system change
Assistant Professor
School of Social Work and Human Service
Thompson Rivers University
Jackie has an MSW from the University of Northern British Columbia and an EdD from Simon Fraser University. She practised social work in northern British Columbia for more than 20 years, primarily in the areas of substance use and children’s mental health. She has also held leadership roles in the areas of substance use, child protection, and education. Jackie has taught in the human service and social work faculties at the College of New Caledonia, the University of Northern British Columbia, and most recently at Thompson Rivers University.
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