Practicum companion for social work, the

The ideal companion for the first field/practicum experience, this book guides students through their placement while reinforcing the link between social work theory and practice. It includes detailed information on the field/practicum experience from start to finish, including: establishing a professional identity, working safely, making the most of practicum supervision, organizational issues, micro, mezzo, and macro social work practice, social work and the legal system, and terminating effectively from the practicum. KEY TOPICS: To make the material more accessible, the book follows the progress of four students (Ben, Cameron, Corina, and Lauren) as they move through their own practicum experiences. Their real-life stories help spur discussion while helping students apply the knowledge, skills, and/or issues presented in the text. To further stimulate critical thinking and discussion, the book provides discussion questions and practice applications in each unit. Many of the applications were developed in conjunction with agency-based field instructors. MARKET: For beginning and experienced social workers.

Each chapter includes Introduction, Summary, Student Scenario Postscripts, and References. Introduction. Purpose of the Book. Audience. Use of the Book. Use of Case Scenarios and Practice Applications. Unique and Special Features of the Book. Supplements. Format: Unit 1-10. Definition of Field Education Terms. The Social Work Profession. To the Student. Acknowledgments. Dedication. References. 1.Getting Started on Your Social Work Practice Career. Getting Started in Your Practicum. Practice Application #1: Learning and Teaching Style Exercise. Practice Application #2: Self-Assessment: What Do I Know and What Do I Need to Know? Practice Application #3: Watch Your Body. Integrative Practice Seminar. Practice Application #4: Seeing My Practicum Site with Different Eyes. Practice Application #5: Seeing My Field Instructor with Different Eyes. 2.Socialization into the Social Work Profession. Me? A Social Worker? Practice Application #1: Often-Asked Client Questions. Strategies for Your Socialization as a Social Worker. Practice Application #2: Social Work from Your Own Perspective. Practice Application #3: Social Work from Many Perspectives. Pulling It All Together How Can I Juggle All the Roles? Setting Professional Boundaries. Stress: Bane or Boon? Practice Application #4: How Well Is Your Well-Being? Self-Care as Professional Development. The Transitions of Professional Socialization. Practice Application #5: A Day in the Life of a Social Worker. Practice Application #6: Thinking Like a Social Worker. 3.Safety in Social Work Settings. The Scope of Personal Safety Risks in Social Work. Reasonable Concerns and Caution. Practice Application #1: Gathering Information. Practice Application #2: Gaining Skills. Practice Application #3: Assessment and Reflection. Assessment of Potentially Violent Clients. Specific Guidelines for Safety within the Office. Interacting with Clients within the Home and the Community. Practice Application #4: Role-Play: Off-Site Safety Rules. Working with Angry, Resistant, or Aggressive Clients. Follow-Up to Crises. Dilemmas Involving Safety Issues. Sexual Harassment. Practice Application #5: Safety: Your Comfort Zone. Practice Application #6: Role-Play: Sexual Harassment. 4.Making the Most of Your Practicum Supervision. What Is Practicum Supervision? What Can I Expect from Practicum Supervision? Practice Application #1: Forewarned Is Forearmed. Practice Application #2: Supervision from the Other Side of the Desk. Ethical and Interpersonal Issues in Supervision. Practice Application #3: What Are You Saying and What Are You Really Saying to Your Field Instructor? Strategies for Maximizing the Effectiveness of Your Practicum Supervision. Practice Application #4: Supervision: Expectations and Assessment. Practice Application #5: Use of Self Finding Trends in Interactions? Practice Application #6: Questions to Consider . Practice Application #7: A Students Worst Fear . 5.Organizational Issues. The Importance of Organizational Knowledge. Internal Elements of an Organization. Governmental (Public) Organizations. For-Profit Organizations. Nonprofit Organizations. Agency Size. Practice Application #1: Reflections on Practice Context. Management Theory. The Role of Social Work within the Organization. Practice Application #2: Gathering Information. Practice Application #3: Reflection on Explicit and Implicit Rules. Socialization into the Social Service Organization. Practice Application #4: Reflections on Your Organizational Socialization. Uncovering Staff Violations. Practice Application #5: Reflections on the Organization. Practice Application #6: Reflection through Illustration. Practice Application #7: Learning about Agency Structure through the Lens of Service Area/Client Issue. Practice Application #8: Tying Together the Agency and Social Work Values and Principles. 6.Micro Social Work Practice in the Field. Expectations for Student Learning in Micro Practice. Learning the Business of Micro Practice. Practice Application #1: Documentation: Your Turn. Learning the Process of Micro Practice. Practice Application #2: Application of Theory to Practice: Testing Your Knowledge. Practice Application #3: How to Handle Ethical Dilemmas. Practice Application #4: Case Reenactment. Practice Application #5: Learning from the Client: When Listening Is Not Enough. Practice Application #6: Developing the Critical Self: Taking the Pain out of Feedback. Practice Application #1 Follow-Up. 7.Mezzo Social Work Practice in the Field. Expectations for Student Learning in Mezzo Practice. Practice Application #1: Groups, Groups, Groups. Learning the Business of Mezzo Practice. Practice Application #2: How Do Documentation Styles Compare? Practice Application #3: Group Facilitator Self-Assessment. Learning the Process of Mezzo Practice. Practice Application #4: Application of Theory to Group Practice: Testing Your Knowledge. Working with Non-Client Groups. Practice Application #5: Facilitating Your Own Interdisciplinary Group Meeting. Practice Application #6: Documenting Group Process: When the Obvious Isnt Obvious. Practice Application #7: Need a Mezzo-Level Practicum Experience? Start Your Own Group. 8.Macro Social Work Practice in the Field. Expectations for Student Learning in Macro Practice. Learning the Business of Macro Practice. Practice Application #1: Gathering Information. Practice Application #2: Socialization into Macro Practice. Practice Application #3: Professional Socialization in a Smaller Community. Learning the Process of Macro Practice. Practice Application #4: Reflections on the Use of Conflict in Social Advocacy. The Impact of Contemporary Social Policy on Social Work Practice and Practicum. Practice Application #5: Community Analysis through Observation. Practice Application #6: Community Analysis through Illustration. Practice Application #7: A Macro Approach to the Educational Needs of Homeless Children. Practice Application #8: Role-Play Social Advocacy. Practice Application #9: Contact with an Influential Person. 9.Social Work Practice and the Legal System. Legal Terms. Grievance Procedures and Legal Resources for Clients. Professional and Student Malpractice Issues and Liability. Practice Application #1: Agency Records as Legal Documents. Practice Application #2: Personal Notes as a Legal Document. Special Legal Issues in Practicum. Social Work Ethical Violatio