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The ideal practice guide for every social worker and social work student. Based on Neil Thompson’s extensive experience of bringing theory to life in a practice context, this invaluable manual is an essential guide for all practitioners, from student on placement through newly qualified worker to old hand. Available from here or Amazon

In any project or task we undertake, it can be very easy to get engrossed and lose focus on why we are doing it. If, however, we can make sure we don’t lose sight of the why (the purpose), we will be in a stronger position to decide on the how (the method) and put it into practice. Sadly, though, it is not uncommon for people to become so busy doing something that they forget why they are doing it. They then lose sight of how best to move forward. Clarity about why we are doing something will make us more motivated to achieve our goals and give us a more helpful picture of the possible ways of achieving them.…

A global campaign described as a "game-changer" has been launched to improve the lives of more than one billion disabled people by 2030. WeThe15 wants to improve inclusion, raise awareness and end discrimination of disabled people around the world. It brings together a coalition of organisations from the International Paralympic Committee (IPC) to Unesco. Using the event as a springboard, the IPC and International Disability Alliance has joined forces with arts, business and human rights organisations including UN Human Rights and The Valuable 500 to "raise awareness, change attitudes and create more opportunities" for disabled people. The campaign has been set-up to represent the 15% of the world's population that is disabled - about 1.2bn people, according to the World…

The easy argument to make is that the thing we have now is better than the new thing that’s on offer. All one has to do is take the thing we have now as a given (ignoring its real costs) and then challenge the defects and question the benefits of the new thing, while also maximizing the potential risk. “A hand-written letter is more thoughtful, more likely to be a keepsake, and a more permanent record than a simple email.” On the other hand, the technophile defending change simply has to list all the new features and ignore the benefits we’re used to. “An email is far faster, cheaper and easier to track than a letter. It is more likely…

A Hampshire MP has called for a change in the law that will stop employers from silencing victims of abuse. Ministers have been warned that non-disclosure agreements (NDAs) allow companies to 'cover up' sexual abuse of staff and other 'wrongdoing' they have faced. Basingstoke MP, Maria Miller, said NDAs were "driving the wrong culture in the British workplace", silencing staff who faced abuse at work and allowing bosses to "buy their silence". Presenting her Non-Disclosure Agreements Bill in the Commons, the Conservative MP called for a change in the law which would allow people to leave workplaces where they faced abuse and get compensation - without having to agree that they will not speak about the abuse they faced. Click…

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An essential resource for practice educators and study supervisors. Helping others to learn is a skilled job. This practical guide offers extensive advice and guidance on how to get the best results, whether in student supervision or any other process of helping colleagues to learn. Available from here or Amazon

Physical contact is a very powerful form of communication. It can be powerfully negative – for example, touch used in a threatening or aggressive way or as an invasion of privacy – or powerfully positive as a means of conveying support, concern, affirmation and validation. Provided that we have the sensitivity to know where the boundary is between supportive and intrusive touch, we can use touch to express empathy and concern, build trust and make an important contribution to helping people who are facing considerable challenges or who would benefit from human connection at a time of difficulty. Do you know of anyone who uses touch very sensitively and effectively? Watch them closely when you can and see what you…