Documenting practice so we're all on the same page. Upholding the creativity. power and meaningfulness of writing

Every social worker engages in a huge range of formal writing tasks in their professional practice. Equally familiar is writing for advocacy or activism, and the cathartic and healing benefits of narrative and creative writing. Yet the identification of writing as a core practice skill is uncommon in helping texts. The aim of the small study described here was to document the ways in which social work and welfare practitioners use writing within the helping relationship. In-depth interviews were undertaken with a sample of 15 social work and welfare workers. The findings reveal extensive use of formal, practical and imaginative writing in the professional work of these practitioners, from creative case notes to collaborative processes and cathartic creations. Only a small minority of participants mentioned publishing this inspiring practice. The findings have direct relevance for social work and welfare education, and for transmitting practice wisdom to upcoming generations of practitioners