Developing Your Communication Skills in Social Work
- Paula Beesley - Leeds Beckett University, UK
- Melanie Watts - Professor of Informatics at Leeds Beckett University, UK
- Sarah Harlow
This book explores:
· What is meant by communication skills
· What communication skills are
· What they look like in practice
· The differences in communicating with service users and professionals, such as children, guardians, peers and emergency workers
· Why they are important
It includes a wide range of theories, multiple case studies, reflective tasks, and exercises. It will develop your critical thinking and reflection skills, and help you develop your own communication style.
Presented in a chronological style which acts as a working tool that you can dip into and out of. Each chapter is structured in a way that encourages you to build on your knowledge, so it begins by taking you right back to basics to learn core theory and practice techniques before getting you to critically reflect on the use of different skills in different settings and with different service user groups. The end-of-chapter skills audits help you to reflect on what you have learnt, what your strengths are and what you need to work on more.
The case studies throughout this book make it invaluable as it helps with bridging from theory into practice, and is especially useful for those students who have not yet got their work placements or haven't worked in health and social care previously as it can help them to understand the skills they will need when working with people in a caring capacity.
This book was chosen for Year 1 Social Work students as it provides a clear and practical introduction to essential communication skills. Its accessible language and real-world examples help students connect theory to practice, making it ideal for beginners. The emphasis on reflective practice encourages self-awareness and personal growth, while its alignment with the Year 1 curriculum supports key areas like professional development and interpersonal skills. Overall, it’s a valuable and student-friendly resource for building foundational social work skills.
