Knowledge for Practice

The aim of this area is to give pointers about how searching and using information from the Web can contribute to knowledge and informed practice and support improved outcomes for service users and carers. There are casestudies about key areas of service provision and a workbook for each case study where you can keep your notes on the activities. You can also print off your workbook. Online resources for each case study are provided in 'Getting Started'.

We use a range of different knowledge and experience in our practice. We draw on our personal experiences alongside discussions with colleagues and other professionals involved in training as well as practice. We can also benefit from careful use of the resources available from the internet, and there are a number of specialist repositories focusing on social work and social care in particular. Working through the case studies and links in this area should help you find relevant and useful information and research quickly.

These case studies have been designed to reflect the kinds of  practice situations that social workers may encounter in their day to day practice. Some of the case studies are primarily focused on adults and some on children, but, as in ‘live’ social work practice, most of the case studies involve consideration of the needs of several individuals with different and sometimes competing needs.  For example, the case study about 'Mental Health' focuses on both mental health and parenting, so will be just as relevant to a social worker in a children and families setting as to a practitioner working with adults. In other words, don't rule out a case study because you think it doesn't cover your precise area of interest.

What is Knowledge for Practice?

If you are interested in reading more about the different kinds of knowledge that social workers can build on and develop for effective practice, read the 'What is Knowledge for Practice?' page.