learning activity

Reflective practice : signposts

This learning object is one of a set of exercises and activities taken from the book 'Modern Social Work Practice' written by Mark Doel and Steven Shardlow. This chapter is designed to help students to reflect on the way they 'put their practice together' and to dispel the mystique associated with research and 'putting theory into practice'. It scrutinizes the processes which affect the practitioner's judgement in turning observations into action.

Introducing yourself

This learning object is one of a set of exercises and activities taken from the book 'Modern Social Work Practice' written by Mark Doel and Steven Shardlow. This activity helps the student to understand that the process of intervention and assessment starts from the very beginning of contact, including the writing of a letter of appointment.

Sally : Drugs : Case Narrative

This short training scenario was originally used in the context of introductory child protection training. It gives brief information from which participants are asked to identify what they are concerned about and what they would do next. Sally uses drugs and is pregnant. She has a history of local authority care.

Significant Legislation in Work with Children and Families

This is an introduction to significant legislation in the field of child care other than The Children (Scotland) Act 1995. It is the third in a series of sessions in this resource which can be used together. The first two dealt with children’s rights and Children (Scotland) Act 1995. They have been re-structured for independent use, but can still be used in sequence. The final session deals with (social work) departmental procedure (this could be adapted for use by other agencies).This section is a trainer input via a Powerpoint presentation with handouts.

Particular communication needs

This resource starts with a quiz and a short case study to help the user understand the complexities of defining and identifying impairment as well as the difficulties faced by people who have these impairments. Then it will be able to explore four different scenarios which present tips on working with particular communication needs of service users.

Risks and Protective Factors : Older People's Mental Health

This learning object explores mental health in later life. It reviews the meaning of mental health, why it is an important part of overall well being and how it relates to successful ageing. It also offers an overview of the different aspects of an older person's life, situations that impact on their mental health and the role that an individual, their family, the community they live in and wider society can play in promoting, or undermining, mental health.

Research-minded practice : did you know?

This learning object is one of a set of exercises and activities taken from the book 'Modern Social Work Practice' written by Mark Doel and Steven Shardlow. The meeting point of research and practice is one of the most fraught locations on the social work map. All too often, practitioners complain that research findings never tell them what they do not already know are matched by researchers' criticisms that practice is based on professional folk lore.

An Introduction to the Case Conference

This is an interactive learning activity which allows for greater flexibility than a traditional role play. In this activity, participants have the opportunity to ‘act out’ their understanding of what happens in a Case Conference, based on their existing level of knowledge and experience. For ‘first timers’ this will be an introductory experience. This task last approximately 60-90 minutes and is suitable for groups of 10 to 20. It is aimed at newly qualified social workers or as part of basic child protection training.