1.4 Skills

Social workers develop their skills largely in the course of their practice experiences. However, it is good to have a framework to help with your learning and understanding.

We use four categories of skill in our framework:

1. skills in thinking – analysing, managing, reflecting and valuing
2. skills in using the senses – listening and talking, observing, understanding and expressing feelings
3. skills combining thinking and using the senses – giving and receiving constructive feedback, interviewing, leading, negotiating, supporting
4. skills supporting your studies and practices – reflective writing, digital and information literacy skills, academic and professional writing skills.

Other skills social workers need to have include:

• reflective, professional and academic forms of writing, recording and sharing information
• thinking skills, such as reflection and analysis
• the ability to recognise and challenge discriminatory attitudes
• interpersonal and communication skills
• ICT skills and information literacy (collectively referred to as digital and information literacy).

The activities in this course will introduce you to some of these skills.