Competence in Social Work Practice

Social work has been subjected to much change, presenting formidable challenges for social workers, practice trainers, line managers and trainers. By virtue of CCETSW's Paper 30 in 1989 (and its subsequent amendments), social work training became competence-based and competence-led. Many students and practice teachers, however, have experienced difficulty in identifying evidence of competence for inclusion in practice portfolios. The contributors to this volume demonstrate how competence is best illustrated through detailed presentation of practice. This book illustrates social work competences by describing genuine cases, real people and real contexts (all identifying features have been changed to preserve confidentiality). It aims to assist in the implementation of new requirements for the Diploma in Social Work, due for implementation in September 1995. Each chapter identifies the core competences most pertinent to the case in question and core themes and principles which emerge in demonstrating competence.