Social Work: An Introduction
Weblinks
Click on the following links. Please note these will open in a new window.
There are a range of web resources that can support your learning across many of the topics and themes covered in Social Work: An Introduction, Second Edition. On each chapter page of this website we have made some specific suggestions about web resources that you might look at. In addition, as a general statement about useful web resources we have repeated a General Resources section on each chapter page (see below). Please note that these lists are not exhaustive and are aimed at providing some starting points from which you might begin to explore what the web has to offer. Remember when using the web that it is important you assess the quality of the material you are looking at. There is much available that is merely personal opinion and much available that is factually incorrect. Accessing reputable websites increases the reliability and validity of the material presented to you. It is also worth being aware of the fact that some websites refer more heavily to legislation and policy in certain jurisdictions of the UK as opposed to others.
General Resources applicable to every chapter
IRISS – Institute for Research and Innovation in Social Services; browse the IRISS Learning Exchange resources
Research in Practice The site contains a wide range of resources and publications related to work with children, young people and families. Some resources and publications are open access, but for many a subscription is required.
Research in Practice for Adults This site contains a wide range of resources and publications related to work with adults and carers. Some resources and publications are open access, but for many a subscription is required.
SCIE – Social Care Institute for Excellence Browse SCIE’s Social Care TV series for useful videos to inform aspects of practice
Also see:
SCIE’s Knowledge Reviews which draw on practice and research findings
A general list of all SCIE resources can be accessed via
Agency resources When you are on placement find out if the organisation you are working with has a subscription to information hubs such as,
Community Care Inform (corporate subscription only) or
Care Knowledge (individual subscription available).
Developing your own learning
There are a range of free courses available on web platforms, many of which support aspects of your learning in the topics covered by Social Work: An Introduction, Second Edition.
For example, see the free course catalogue on the Open University’s Open Learn platform and have a look at the short courses available under the tabs for Health, Sports and Psychology; Education and Development and Society, Politics and Law.
Or the ALISON website course subject list
Or explore the Future Learn website and look at courses under the Health and Psychology, Law and Politics and The Modern World categories.
Chapter 36: Evaluation
ESS – Evaluation Support Scotland – provides resources and support for third sector and funder organisations to assist with impact evaluation. There are some useful resources on the website that will enhance aspects of your understanding of evaluation
An interesting insight to a participatory research project is provided in comic strip format by IRISS. It is a short read, but a valuable one to gain a clear overview of how the process operates and some of the issues to consider. See http://www.iriss.org.uk/resources/iriss-adventures-participatory-research
IRISS Reports
Experiences of the young people in community research
For a detailed guide about participatory approaches see the link to a UNICEF document at http://betterevaluation.org/resources/guide/participatory_approaches