Facing the challenge
Learning Objectives
After considering this resource, you should understand the issues that may have an adverse affect on your practice and how these may be overcome.
The reality of social work once you are in practice is often very different and much more complex than it sounds in the university environment. In this chapter from Understanding Social Work, Neil Thompson presents an overview of issues that may impede good practice and how you can begin to tackle these obstacles.
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Reflective Questions
1. Consider the various obstacles to achieving good practice outlined here. Which, for
you personally, would be the most significant? Which one are you most likely to
struggle with? What steps could you take to deal with this? What tactics or strategies
could you possibly develop?
2. This chapter has shown that there are some potentially significant obstacles to good
practice, but it is also important to recognize that the benefits of good practice make
it worth the effort to remove, bypass or minimize these obstacles. But what are these
benefits? Make a list of the rewards (for yourself, your clients, your organization and
our profession).