Book Review: Effective Practice Learning in Social Work

Jonathan Parker, Learning Matters

ISBN 18844450155, £14

Parker’s book should be viewed as an invaluable resource
that can assist those involved in developing their own and others’
practice in social work, writes Giles Bashford.

I liked the author’s initial focus on values and ethics moving
seamlessly on to the critical importance of integrating theory with
practice. He also highlights the practical aspects of the placement
with useful advice, activities and tools to enable and enhance
learning.

I would have liked Parker to have further developed his arguments
in regards to the centrality of values and anti-oppressive practice
at the expense of the later more practical exploration of the
placement. In this respect the book should be used as a starting
point in developing evidence-based, critically reflective practice.
An essential work for anyone involved in practice learning.

Giles Bashford is a senior practitioner at Solihull Council