Social work students consistently struggle to apply theory to practice, or use the knowledge of textbooks and classrooms in the field. Vignettes and scenarios represented in textbooks are often simplistic, too tidy to be realistic, and with clean resolutions. Next Steps: Decision Cases for Social Work Practice highlights the complex, messy nature of social work practice in a way that is engaging to students, allowing them to step into the role of a practicing social worker. This book is a collection of decision cases from multiple areas of social work practice, designed to enhance the quality and depth of classroom case discussion and analysis. These realistic, compelling cases present dilemmas about which even experienced practitioners may disagree. This allows rich classroom discussion that enhances critical thinking, provides real-life application, and creates numerous opportunities to apply content and knowledge acquired throughout a social work education experience.

Next Steps: Decision Cases for Social Work Practice highlight the complex, messy nature of social work practice in a way that is engaging to students, allowing them to step into the role of a practicing social worker.

Part One: Bachelor of Social Work Graduates; 1. Bonnie’s Boys; 2. Hunger; 3. Who Belongs?; Part Two: Master of Social Work Practicum Students; 4. All For Love; 5. Involuntary Mindfulness; 6. Crossing the Borderline; 7. Don’t Speak Too Much; Part Three: New MSW Graduates; 8. A Day in the Life; 9. Caring Heart; 10. Judge Not; 11. Disastrous; Part Four: Experienced MSW Practitioners; 12. Ascension; 13. I Want to Hold my Babies; 14. Call Me Cam; 15. Evie’s Urges; 16. You’re Doing This Wrong