Policy Press

Self-Leadership in Social Work

Reflections from Practice

By Bill Mckitterick

Published

Feb 27, 2015

Page count

216 pages

ISBN

978-1447314851

Dimensions

216 x 138 mm

Imprint

Policy Press

Published

Feb 27, 2015

Page count

216 pages

ISBN

978-1447314882

Dimensions

Imprint

Policy Press

Published

Feb 27, 2015

Page count

216 pages

ISBN

978-1447314875

Dimensions

Imprint

Policy Press
Self-Leadership in Social Work

This book is a call for confident, skilled and knowledgeable practice in social work.

The current managerialist agenda has restricted judgement and the exercise of discretion in the profession, and, more damagingly, has played down the social justice components of social work, as well as the responsibilities for therapeutic and change-orientated interventions. This book explores how, through strong self-leadership, social workers can both explain and demonstrate how social work can achieve positive change.

Offering a fresh and innovative view on leadership for social workers, managers of social services and social work students at all levels, the book identifies tactics and strategies to provide leadership both within a team and in senior positions.

Bill McKitterick is a social worker now working in supervision and leadership. He has been a director of social services for ten years, including leading workforce development. He has worked in programmes to improve social work practice in local authority services following critical inspections and has contributed through the British Association of Social Workers and the College of Social Work to the national reform programme.

Introduction;

The meaning and the exercise of leadership in social work;

The leadership vacuum;

The sources of leadership in the social work profession and social work services;

Clarity of purpose in social work practice;

The social work manager as a leader, colleague and champion;

Leadership within direct practice;

Leadership within a multi-disciplinary environment;

Optimism, filling the vacuum and taking the lead.