Abstract

So, you've passed your degree and have started your first job. But are you confident about translating the theory into practice? Are you prepared to juggle the workload of a busy social worker? Do you have a plan for your continuing professional development?

This practical guide provides a wealth of suggestions to help you to hit the ground running in the early stages of your new career. Fully revised and updated with the latest national frameworks for NQSWs, this survival guide provides a range of strategies for managing your time and workload, and offers suggestions for finding support, coping with stress and maintaining job satisfaction. It addresses different ways of handling challenging and unfamiliar situations with colleagues, managers, other professionals and service users. Each chapter concludes with a checklist of key points as a ready reference for practitioners preparing to face the daily challenges of their new professional status.

This invaluable guide will be an essential support for all students, post-qualification and returning practitioners who need to make a smooth transition to practice and be successful in the workplace.

Helen Donnellan is Research Project Development Manager at the University of Plymouth. Helen has been actively involved in the development, accreditation and management of professional and academic programmes at post-qualifying level in social work, with a particular interest in children's services, for over a decade. Gordon Jack has more than 30 years' experience in social work practice, education and research with children and families, and is currently Professor of Social Work at Northumbria University.