This free course, Effective writing in professional social work practice, will introduce you to the importance of writing in professional social work. It will develop your understanding of the different ways that writing forms an integrated part of professional practice in the UK.

People are at the centre of writing in social work practice, and the course will explore the importance of language and analysis. It is through writing that social workers communicate, provide detailed assessments and recommendations about people's lives.

The course is designed for social work students and those who are already qualified and who want to develop their understanding and skills in professional writing. The activities within the course are based on extensive research and will help you explore what matters in professional writing.

This free course, Innovation in health and social care practice, focuses on how digital technology and innovation changes the expectations and job roles for health and social care practitioners. You will learn about what these expectations might be on practitioners and also about common responses and criticisms that may arise from transforming practice through technology.

In this free course, Accessibility and inclusion in digital health, you will consider some of the ways that people can access digital health in the UK and how they are able to take more control over their physical and mental health. 

This free course, What do we mean by digital health and social care?, will focus on digital health and social care technologies. It will explore the different types of technologies that exist in health and social care and the advantages and disadvantages associated with each of them. It will also focus on policies and digital innovations in different parts of the UK.

This free course, Introducing social work: a starter kit, provides a glimpse into some of the things that social workers do and looks at why and how social work is done. The course is designed for people who might be interested in and curious about social work practice. It will also be a useful initial resource for those who may be thinking about entering the social work profession at some point in the future.

Please note: As part of a review of content, this course will be deleted from OpenLearn on Sunday 5th of September 2021.In this free course, Applying social work skills in practice, you will explore the social work role in working with vulnerable and socially excluded individuals and groups. You will learn about risk and the assessment of need in social work practice, and explore the wider context of social work practice and responses to social work. You will also explore the application of relevant knowledge, skills and values in social work, and think about the place of research in supporting social work practice.

You can change lives by using your personal skills to aid those in need. Your communication skills, resilience and empathy are key assets when working in social care, a crucial societal structure that matters to everybody.

What is like being a social worker? Dr Andy Taylor of The Open University discusses effective practice with substance abusing parents.