# Social Work Theory — Your Critical Friend > Interactive social work theory and reflective practice resource with subscription options. (iPhone/iPad app by Kirwin Maclean Associates Ltd.) - Source: https://appshunter.io/ios/app/social-work-theory/id1169559980 (this page in markdown: same URL + `.md`) - Developer: [Kirwin Maclean Associates Ltd](https://appshunter.io/developer/1169559979) - Category: Education, Reference - Price: Free with in-app purchases - Rating: 4.50/5 from 4 App Store ratings · 9 written reviews indexed - Age rating: 12+ - Requires: iOS 15.6 · 4 MB - Languages: English - Released: 2016-11-10 - Data updated: 2026-06-01 - Monetization: free with in-app purchases - User reviews in markdown: https://appshunter.io/ios/app/social-work-theory/id1169559980/reviews.md ## What is Social Work Theory? The app consists of a number of interactive sections. A range of content is provided on social work theories and on critically reflective practice. The app will be useful to social work students and practice educators / field instructors. It will also be of use for more experienced practitioners to keep theory on the professional agenda. Some content and interactivity are reliant on subscribing. Where a user subscribes (on a quarterly basis) they can have unlimited access to the full A-Z of the theory library. Users who do not subscribe can access only one theory each week. The envelope activity provides the space for users to enter anonymous information on their working context. Subscribers can request specific theory suggestions to relate to their work. Content is regularly updated and is designed to appeal to users at various stages of their social work career - for example, information is provided on reflective supervision in social work. Users can pose questions and can directly contact Siobhan Maclean, who has provided training and has written about social work theory and critical reflection for many years. New in the Envelope Activity – we've replaced the single use In-App Purchase to receive theory suggestions with an unlimited use quarterly subscription. Try it out with a free 7 day trial. The Envelope Activity Subscription 3-month subscription which automatically renews every 3 months. The current price for this subscription is £4.99 per three months, but this may vary from country to country. Payment will be charged to your iTunes Account when you confirm the purchase, after any applicable trial period. The subscription will automatically renew unless auto-renew is turned off at least 24-hours before the end of the current period. You can manage your subscription and turn off auto-renewal by going to your iTunes Account Settings after purchase. Any unused portion of a free trial period, will be forfeited when you purchase a subscription. ## Key features - Interactive social work theories - Critically reflective practice content - A-Z theory library - Anonymous working context entry - Personalized theory suggestions - Direct contact with expert ## Pricing and in-app purchases Base price: Free. **Subscriptions** | Subscription | Price | Period | | --- | --- | --- | | Envelope activity theory matching subscription | $5.49 | per 3 months | **One-time purchases** | Purchase | Price | Type | | --- | --- | --- | | Envelope Activity - Suggest Theories | $0.99 | one-time | ## Recent user reviews (9 of 9) All indexed reviews: https://appshunter.io/ios/app/social-work-theory/id1169559980/reviews.md ### 3/5 — Useful but with bugs *2023-06-28, version 1.3* This is a great idea and some aspects of the app are really useful, the envelope and the theory of the day are great. I was disappointed though that despite paying my subscription I didn’t have full access and as this caught me on the hop during a meeting was a little bit embarrassing. ### 5/5 — Miss Inspire Uk *2020-08-14, version 1.3* Extremely helpful for people with SpLD. It’s clear and informative! Social Work encyclopaedia for new starters! Helpful tool during placement ### 5/5 — Great for ASYE! *2018-11-27, version 1.2* This is a great app to have - theory on demand! As an ASYE I found that I needed reminding of certain theories as I thought about interventions and interactions with my clients. This app has given me the space and opportunity to do so readily and easily! I particularly love the theory of the week section! ### 5/5 — Essential for all Social Workers *2018-11-24, version 1.2* This is a fantastic app. It’s about time the social work profession modernised it’s practice. I use this as a practice educator and tell all my student social workers to download. Unclear on negative comments the in-app purchase (subscription) clearly stated and for what you get, cheap as chips. Huge advocate! ### 1/5 — No access without further purchases *2018-11-17, version 1.2* This app seems very promising. Unfortunately you pay the £3.99 for nothing but a few videos, which if you’re already a professional that its patronising. It’s a shame that this looks as though it’s apl for profit and for any potential students/students although these books/tools are great for “basic info”, it’s best to go to other academics that give a more in depth break down and critical analysis of different theories. What a real shame! ### 5/5 — Really useful and helpful app *2018-11-10, version 1.2* What a fab app, why did I not know about this when I was undertaking my training. It is clear, concise and easy to use. I struggled relating theory to practice but using this app has really helped. ### 5/5 — Brilliant app for all in SW *2018-11-03, version 1.2* A great way of keeping theory in the heart of your practice, if you’ve been in SW a while, as well as being a brilliant aide for students & practice educators. An incredible amount of work has gone into this, all not for profit, which many in SW really appreciate. ### 1/5 — Totally unsatisfactory!!!!! *2018-10-31, version 1.2* Once I purchased the app, I couldn’t use anything within the app unless I made further purchases. I feel extremely ripped off as I’ve paid for the “privilege” of seeing what I cannot have. I’ve only given 1 star because I’m unable to post without doing so. ### 2/5 — Could be great... but what am I paying for? *2018-09-18, version 1.2* I’m frustrated that I had to purchase the app that only really works for my need if I buy yet more through the in purchase app! I already have the books etc I just wanted to have it at my finger tips instead. Looks like it could be a great idea but a more up front Initial cost would be better as I feel ripped off. ## Frequently asked questions about Social Work Theory ### What is Social Work Theory? Social Work Theory is an educational app designed to help social work students and practitioners explore social work theories and critically reflective practice. It offers interactive content and a comprehensive theory library. ### How does Social Work Theory's subscription work? A quarterly subscription provides unlimited access to the full theory library and personalized theory suggestions related to your work. A 7-day free trial is available for the Envelope Activity Subscription. ### What is the cost of the Social Work Theory subscription? The Envelope Activity Subscription is priced at £4.99 per three months, though this may vary by country. Payment is charged to your iTunes Account after the trial period. ### Can I cancel my Social Work Theory subscription? Yes, you can manage your subscription and turn off auto-renewal by going to your iTunes Account Settings after purchase. Auto-renewal must be turned off at least 24 hours before the end of the current period. ### Is Social Work Theory suitable for beginners? Yes, the content is designed to appeal to users at various stages of their social work career, including students and those new to reflective practice. ### How often is Social Work Theory updated? Content is regularly updated to ensure it remains relevant and comprehensive. The latest update was on May 16, 2024, with version 1.4.1. ### What devices support Social Work Theory? Social Work Theory is available on iPhone, iPad, and iPod. It is rated for users aged 12 and older. ### Does Social Work Theory offer offline access? The description does not explicitly state offline access. Some content and interactivity are reliant on subscribing, suggesting an online component may be necessary for full functionality. ## Version history (last 5 releases) ### 1.4.1 — 2024-05-16 Resolves an issue which could cause theories to not load correctly in the Theory Library. Adds new prompts to Restore Purchases where the subscription is offered in the Envelope Activity and Theory Library to assist users who have moved to a new iPhone or iPad and already have an active subscription. And recently in 1.4: New dark theme for users who use Dark Appearance on iOS and iPadOS, and other improvements. ### 1.4 — 2024-05-03 New dark theme for users who use Dark Appearance on iOS and iPadOS, and other improvements. ### 1.3 — 2019-02-04 Adds support for iPad Pro (11-inch). ### 1.2 — 2018-09-06 • Now available for iPhone and iPod Touch • Improvements on iPad with support for portrait and multitasking on compatible models. ### 1.1 — 2018-07-09 Get unlimited uses of the Envelope Activity theory suggestions with our new In-App Subscription. Try the free 7 day trial, and subscribe on a quarterly basis. This version contains a full library of theories which you can access with the new In-App Subscription. Our new unlimited use subscription replaces the single use In-App Purchases which are no longer available in this version of the app. This version also contains improvements to the speed of scrolling envelope activity results, and resolves an issue which would sometimes cause "Where?" statements to not copy from one envelope case to another correctly. ## Apps similar to Social Work Theory | App | Rating | Price | Category | | --- | --- | --- | --- | | [Bright BSL - Sign Language](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/bright-bsl-sign-language/id1487975394) | 4.9 (5,837) | Free | Education | | [Social Care Workers Code](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/social-care-workers-code/id526669548) | — | Free | Education | | [ClassCharts Teachers](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/classcharts-teachers/id1158674728) | — | Free | Education | | [SnapRevise: A-level & GCSE](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/snaprevise-a-level-and-gcse/id1222847118) | 4.3 (6) | Free | Education | | [iLancaster (Lancaster Uni)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/ilancaster-lancaster-uni/id1509061497) | 1.0 (2) | Free | Education | | [Feelu: Social-Emotional Tool](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/feelu-social-emotional-tool/id1462795455) | 3.9 (45) | Free | Education | ## Related topics [social worker](https://appshunter.io/ios/topics/social-worker) · [social work](https://appshunter.io/ios/topics/social-work) · [theory social](https://appshunter.io/ios/topics/theory-social) · [social work theory](https://appshunter.io/ios/topics/social-work-theory) · [social work lite](https://appshunter.io/ios/topics/social-work-lite) --- *Data collected daily from the US App Store and indexed by [AppsHunter](https://appshunter.io/). User reviews are verbatim App Store reviews. Ratings, prices and chart positions refresh continuously; this snapshot is from 2026-06-01.*