Nick Constantine & Mark Carrigher

Workshop Aims Facilitate a constructive discussion on power conflicts and imbalances in placement settings. Discuss experiences of power conflicts and practice dilemmas. Suggestions to minimise, challenge and overcome such issues.

Why a workshop on power conflicts? Modern western society promotes a value base that is dominated by a neo-liberal ideology, free market economics, consumerism, competition, individualism and inequality. Such societies therefore necessitate the existence of hierarchies, conflict and imbalances of power dynamics which are an inherent aspect of our practice.

Social Work Value Base “Social work is based on respect for the inherent worth and dignity of all people” (BASW The Code of Ethics for Social Work, 2012: 2.1). Social work promotes the core values of Humanism, Equality, Social Justice, Human Rights, Collaboration/Partnership, Non-Judgemental, Empowerment, Acceptance, Respect for individuals and diversity.

Strong theoretical tradition which advocates a model of practice that challenges abusive power imbalances and oppressive structures, institutions, organisations and individuals. Anti-oppressive practice (Dalrymple & Burke, 2006); Feminist perspectives (Dominelli, 2002) Critical theory/ reflection (Fook, 2002) Structural perspectives (Mullaly, 2006) Radical Perspectives (Fook, 1993)

How do we tackle this dilemma as a social worker/student? Are power imbalances and conflictual positions necessarily a bad thing? "Practice informed by the legitimate use of power results in empowering practice while the illegitimate use of power equals professional malpractice" Darlymple & Burke (2006: 14).

HHH Student Social Worker University/Academic requirements Personal Family Religious Financial Service Users/colleagues Placement Organisation Practice educator Team manager On site supervisor

What are some of the key issues? Workload pressures Organisational culture Conflicting responsibilities –between Service users, practice educator, University, personal commitments Relationships in placement - Practice Educator/colleagues - on site supervisor/learning co-ordinator Appropriate support available - supervision

Group discussions What are your experiences of power imbalances on placement? Were you able to secure positive outcomes? Progressive ways forward for negotiating difficulties?

What is the practice reality?

Moving forward Preparation Structural support – academic institution, BASW, College of Social Work, Unions, SWAN Supervision Self care – stress management Knowledge and understanding Discuss at the earliest opportunity with your PE and tutor Use collective power of your fellow students to aid tackling issuesthat arise on placement Check with your institution re supervision hours – revisit Learning Agreement if necessary. Forums – Carespace/Community Care/facebook/#CCSWISS

Bibliography The British Association of Social Work (2012) The Code of Ethics for Social Work, [online] 12/03/2012) Dalrymple, J & Burke, B. (2006) Anti Oppressive Practice, Social Care and the Law, Berkshire: Open University Press. Dominelli, L (2002) Feminist Social Work Theory and Practice, Basingstoke: Palgrave Macmillan. Fook, J (1993) Radical Case Work a Theory of Practice, St Leonards: Allen and Unwin. Fook, J (2002) Social Work: Critical Theory and Practice, London: Sage Publications. Mullaly, B (2006) The New Structural Social Work Ideology Theory and Practice, 3 rd edition, Oxford: Oxford University Press.