ABSTRACT
Students often find it difficult to know what a professional relationship means in practice and how it differs from a personal relationship. This activity is designed to highlight the differences between friendships and workships. It helps students become more skilled at deciding where the boundaries between the personal and professional should be drawn. The comparison between the views of students and clients may prove very interesting and highly informative in helping students to define the boundaries of professional behaviour. Students need to consider how the way they present themselves to clients can influence the nature of the professional relationship. On questions of professional standards, the difference of opinion about what is acceptable is striking. During the placement social workers will be evaluating the student's ability to define professional boundaries and use of style. Style is one of those personal issues which affects the student's ability to work as an effective professional.
