Teamworking

Abstract

Working in a team is a taken-for-granted feature of social work life. From the onset of training workers are made aware that they are entering an activity that demands collaboration with colleagues in their own agencies, with those employed in other helping professions, with clients and the community. Students are often assessed to ascertain how well they work with and alongside others; candidates for jobs as to how well they will fit into the team. Many workers see a happy and friendly team as a high priority, as essential for the effective delivery of a service and job satisfaction. In contrast unhappy workers will often complain that theirs is not a ‘real team’.