The Social Work Practicum offers a unique workbook format designed to facilitate the integration of social work theory and practice during practicum.

Table of Contents

Foreword David Schantz xi
Preface xiii
The Purpose of a Practicum 1
Background and Context 1
How to Use This Book 2
How the Chapters Are Structured 2
Practicum-Related Strengths: A Workbook Activity 4
How Do We Learn? A Workbook Activity 8
Suggested Learning Activities 10
Additional Suggestions and Hints 10
Selected Bibliography 10
School, Agency, and Student Expectations 11
Goals for Learning 11
Background and Context 11
Guidance and Direction 14
Clarifying Expectations: A Workbook Activity 17
Suggested Learning Activities 19
Additional Suggestions and Hints 19
Selected Bibliography 19
Planning to Learn 21
Goals for Learning 21
Background and Context 21
Preparing a Plan for Learning 22
The Generalist Perspective and the Plan for Learning 24
Guidance and Direction 25
Planning to Learn: A Workbook Activity 29
Suggested Learning Activities 31
Additional Suggestions and Hints 31
Selected Bibliography 31
Getting Started 33
Goals for Learning 33
Background and Context 33
Guidance and Direction 35
Basic Information about Your Practicum: A Workbook Activity 39
Suggested Learning Activities 42
Additional Suggestions and Hints 42
Selected Bibliography 42
Learning from Supervision 43
Goals for Learning 43
Background and Context 43
Guidance and Direction 46
Using Supervision for Learning: A Workbook Activity 50
Suggested Learning Activities 54
Additional Suggestions and Hints 54
Selected Bibliography 54
Personal Safety 55
Goals for Learning 55
Background and Context 55
Guidance and Direction 57
Reducing the Risk of Harm: A Workbook Activity 62
Suggested Learning Activities 65
Additional Suggestions and Hints 65
Selected Bibliography 65
Communication 67
Goals for Learning 67
Background and Context 68
Guidance and Direction 71
Developing Communication Skills: A Workbook Activity 74
Suggested Learning Activities 78
Additional Suggestions and Hints 78
Selected Bibliography 78
The Agency Context of Practice 79
Goals for Learning 79
Background and Context 79
Guidance and Direction 84
Agency Analysis: A Workbook Activity 86
Suggested Learning Activities 93
Additional Suggestions and Hints 93
Selected Bibliography 94
The Community Context of Practice 95
Goals for Learning 95
Background and Context 96
Guidance and Direction 97
Beginning a Community Analysis: A Workbook Activity 101
Suggested Learning Activities 109
Additional Suggestions and Hints 109
Selected Bibliography 109
The Social Problem Context of Practice 111
Goals for Learning 111
Background and Context 112
Guidance and Direction 113
The Problems and Needs Addressed by Your Agency: A Workbook Activity 117
Suggested Learning Activities 122
Additional Suggestions and Hints 122
Selected Bibliography 123
The Social Policy Context of Practice 125
Goals for Learning 125
Background and Context 125
Guidance and Direction 128
Social Policy Analysis: A Workbook Activity 132
Suggested Learning Activities 136
Additional Suggestions and Hints 136
Selected Bibliography 137
Diversity 139
Goals for Learning 139
Background and Context 139
Guidance and Direction 143
Identity and Self-Awareness: A Workbook Activity 147
Cultural Awareness in Your Agency: A Workbook Activity 150
Diversity in Client Behavior: Situations to Discuss 154
Suggested Learning Activities 161
Additional Suggestions and Hints 161
Selected Bibliography 162
Professional Social Work 163
Goals for Learning 163
Background and Context 163
Guidance and Direction 168
The Image and Impact of Social Work: A Workbook Activity 173
Suggested Learning Activities 178
Additional Suggestions and Hints 178
Selected Bibliography 178
Social Work Ethics 179
Goals for Learning 179
Background and Context 179
Guidance and Direction 182
Values, Ethics, and Your Practicum: A Workbook Activity 185
Suggested Learning Activities 189
Additional Suggestions and Hints 189
Selected Bibliography 189
Legal Concerns 191
Goals for Learning 191
Background and Context 191
Guidance and Direction 194
Legal Issues and Concerns: A Workbook Activity 197
Suggested Learning Activities 202
Additional Suggestions and Hints 202
Selected Bibliography 202
Social Work Practice as Planned Change 203
Goals for Learning 203
Background and Context 203
Guidance and Direction 207
Social Work as Planned Change: A Workbook Activity 212
Suggested Learning Activities 214
Additional Suggestions and Hints 214
Selected Bibliography 214
Evaluating Practice 215
Goals for Learning 215
Background and Context 215
Guidance and Direction 219
Examining Your Performance in the Practicum: A Workbook Activity 222
Suggested Learning Activities 230
Additional Suggestions and Hints 230
Selected Bibliography 230
Merging Self and Profession 231
Goals for Learning 231
Background and Context 232
Guidance and Direction 233
Merging Self and Profession: A Workbook Activity 236
Suggested Learning Activities 238
Additional Suggestions and Hints 238
Selected Bibliography 238
Leadership and Social Justice 239
Becoming the Social Worker You Want to Be 239
Becoming a Leader and a Seeker of Social Justice 242
Becoming the Person You Want to Be 247
Suggested Learning Activities 249
Selected Bibliography 249
Sample Learning Agreement 251