ABSTRACT
'Matter of fact' is a collection of twenty entries taken from social work files in different settings. There are many different purposes in recording in social work practice. This activity helps the student to think critically about the language used in social work recording, to improve the meaning of their records, and to consider writing records as part of the work with clients. 'Matter of fact' presents a 'Top 20' of cliches common to most social work settings; indeed, they have been taken from various case files and day books. 'When students arrive in the field [placement], they should be fully exposed to the procedures, politics, and power of the written record in social work practice'. Social work is becoming increasingly aware of the power of language, but there are still many practices which the student should question. Dearling has made a recent attempt to demystify some of the basic concepts of social work.
