1st Edition

Professional Leadership for Social Work Practitioners and Educators

By Anna Fairtlough Copyright 2017
    166 Pages 9 B/W Illustrations
    by Routledge

    166 Pages 9 B/W Illustrations
    by Routledge

    Professional leadership is increasingly recognised as being vital to enhancing social work’s reputation and effectiveness. Although professional leadership is one of the nine domains of the professional capability framework in England, sometimes leadership is assumed to be the prerogative of managers rather than the responsibility of all professional social workers. The participation of social workers and social work educators in shaping professional cultures within organisations through practice innovation, practitioner research and workforce development is thus crucial. Drawing on theories that challenge hierarchical concepts of leadership, this book will enable experienced social work practitioners and educators to develop their professional leadership to more expert levels. Throughout the book there are case examples illustrating examples of advanced professional leadership in action, research highlights and exercises utilising self-reflection, action planning, creative writing and imagery to provide practical support to the reader.

    List of figures

    List of exercises

    List of practice examples and research highlights

    Acknowledgments

    Chapter 1: Introduction

    Part 1: Values and Knowledge for Professional Leadership

    Chapter 2: Professional Leadership in Social Work

    Chapter 3: Values, Diversity and Social Justice in Professional Leadership

    Chapter 4: Theoretical Models to Support Professional Leadership - 1

    Chapter 5: Theoretical Models to Support Professional Leadership - 2

    Part 2: Leading Social Work in Different Contexts

    Chapter 6: Practice Development Education with Individuals

    Chapter 7: Working with Learning Groups and Teams

    Chapter 8: Professional Leadership Within and Across Organisations

    Chapter 9: Practitioner Evaluation and Research

    Chapter 10: Conclusion

    References

    Biography

    Anna Fairtlough is a researcher and visiting lecturer at Goldsmiths, University of London, UK.

    ‘Never has it been a more important time for social work to foster and demonstrate leadership that enables sustainability of the profession. Anna Fairtlough’s book offers an excellent framework and rich source of knowledge, research evidence and practical ideas for practitioners to develop their leadership that speaks to the very heart of practice. An essential read for all those involved in practice education and learning partnerships.’- Trish Hafford-Letchfield, Middlesex University, UK