The purpose of this information is to signpost you to some interesting articles, national websites and organisations which provide learning resources and relevant information to you as a social worker.
Please note that weblinks can change over time but this will give you some information on where you can start.
Please do continue with your own reading and research as there are many third sector, community based and user-led/advocacy/campaigning organisations where there is rich learning to be found.
Another source of information is the Continuous Professional Learning (CPL) website and this will have many resources and guidance to help you to navigate your CPL requirements.
Use the search criteria ‘social worker’ and ‘I am new to my role’ to be directed to a wide number of resources. If you choose NQSW you will be shown the mandatory learning activities, but there are many more resources for social workers which are likely to be helpful to you in your learning.
You will also find specific resources referred to in our resources on social work with adults, social work with children and families and social work in justice settings.
Useful sites and resources:
The Knowledge Network for Health and Social Care (previously SSKS – Social Services Knowledge Scotland) has a wide amount of information and resources for you to use: books, journals and articles to support practice and learning from the Library Search. These are all available for free to health and social care staff in Scotland with an OpenAthens account, eligible users can self-register for an account.
TURAS hosts many resources which are likely to be useful to you, including the Adults With Incapacity learning page: https://www.nes.scot.nhs.uk/nes-current/new-turas-learn-zone-adults-with-incapacity/
BASW is an independent professional membership organisation for social work in the UK membership and campaigning organisation for social workers which hosts information sessions, has CPL resources, communities of practice and conferences, some of which are freely available to non-members https://new.basw.co.uk/
Social worker Toolbox provides free tools and resources for use with children and adults.
Rediscovering and mainstreaming community social work in Scotland. In this IRISS insight publication, Colin Turbett explores the role of community social work, the strengths of its approach and its application in social work practice.
The Self-Directed Support practitioners toolkit has been developed by the Social Work Scotland Self-directed Support project. It will connect you to relevant practice resources located in the Self-directed Support Library and online, to support both your relationship-based practice and the implementation of the Self-directed Support Standards.
