1. The Knowledge Base

2. Knowledge & Social Work We have learned that social work is not just common sense but is a combination of knowledge, Skills and Values This means that practice not undertaken in a mechanical unthinking way Therefore, the Knowledge base is the result of developments in practice, theory, policy and research It means that our practice is linked to changes in the social political and economic circumstance in which we live Our knowledge is a combination of global knowledge, knowledge from other disciplines and specialist knowledge

3. Social Work Practice is a Fusion of KnowledgeSkills ProcessValues and Ethics Use of Self

4. Knowledge No specific manual on how to go about delivering social work To practice social work we need to understand and to conceptualise many different things at the one time! We required a knowledge base and to be able to reflect on it and apply it But knowledge is never ending and to keep up to date and reach appropriate standards your knowledge will continue to grow Thus the responsibility to acquire it rests with you!

5. The Purpose of Knowledge and of social work theory To provide some explanation of complexities observed in practice (and in human relationships) To help predict future behaviour To define what social workers do Orme 2000

6. The teaching so far has shown us that to become a social worker a number of things have to understand Context Values History (& Baggage) Knowledge base Skills Self Awareness

7. What kinds of knowledge do we need? The Definitions of Social Work Research and Practice knowledge methods The Organisational Context Procedures Assessment frameworks Human interactions Skills Emotional intelligence The political Policy Context The Nature of Society and sociology and psychology The Law and policy making The Economic Context The Demographic Context Case reviews Ethical frameworks

8. Why are we learning about these things? We have been trying to work out What social work is about Is social work about problem solving or helping ? or a rational technical activity or A practical moral enterprise ? or Are we dealing with individuals or groups in society that specific social problems? Your answers will determine your practice and your approach to Knowledge and learning!

9. SOCIAL WORK IS A CONTESTED ACTIVITY Is it about... CARE - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - CONTROL SUPPORT - - - - -- - - - - WITHDRAWAL OF LIBERTIES INDIVIDUALS - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - COLLECTIVE INDIVIDUAL RESPONSIBILITY - -- - SOCIAL JUSTICE CONSERVATIVE - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - RADICAL LACK OF POWER - - - - - - - - - - - EMPOWERMENT DESERVING - - - - - - - - -- - - - - - - - UNDESERVING VOLUNTARY - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - COMPULSORY DEPENDENCY - - - - - - - - - - - - - - EMPOWERMENT We need Knowledge and a set of beliefs to helps us make sense of all this!

10. We need Paradigms to help us make sense of the world! What's that again? A set of assumptions, beliefs, values and methods that make up a preferred view of the world- Orme 2000 All theory/knowledge and thus practice are influenced by paradigms Using Knowledge means selecting, integrating and applying the relevant aspects of knowledge of a paradigm for each aspect of work of your work Thus social work is a thinking activity It does not mean learning knowledge and going on auto pilot It means using the knowledge to assist us to manage the complexities involved in the job!

11. Paradigms Paradigm: “sets of assumptions, beliefs, values and methods that make up a preferred way of looking at the world” – Individualist/Collectivist – Socialist/Conservative – Reflexive/Therapeutic – Directive/Therapeutic – Optimist/Pessimist

12. What is your starting point. It links to your Paradigms? – Social Work is about problems solving or helping – Social Work is a rational technical activity – Social Work is a practical moral enterprise – People are essentially good – Family’s are safe places Paradigms affect what we see and do and are linked to our Knowledge base.

13. Thus the Purpose of Knowledge and theory is ! We ”use it to describe, explain, predict, control and to bring about change” Howe 1987 “It provides guidance towards more effective practice and informs but does not dominate practice….. it is not an end in itself.” England 1986 “It assists our understanding of a complex and contested activity…encourages critical reflection and opens us up to uncertainty and ambiguity.” Henkel 1995 “ We must be open to moral, social and political dilemmas that help us to live with uncertainty, confusion, inevitability and doubt.” Jordan 2000

14. There are hierarchies of Knowledge Other Knowledge Informal Theory Practice Theory or Methods Formal Theory Knowledge Personal or Professional Paradigms or “world view”

15. We use different types of knowledge Grand Theory that Explain How Society is Organised. Law SociologyPsychology Social Policy ValuesPhilosophyEconomicsMedicine

16. Knowledge Knowledge is a means of control and power for practical intervention or Knowledge it is used for understanding dialogue Knowledge is both active and collective or Knowledge for individual contemplation of external objects Knowledge is not only theoretical but moral and practical (Bernstein 1995)

17. Knowledge Procedural KnowledgeLegal and Policy KnowledgeEmpirical KnowledgeKnowledge of ResourcesValues / ethics codes of practice

18. Other Sources of Knowledge Practice Theory. Conventional or Practice Wisdom. Personal Motivations and Ideals. Our preference will be influenced by whether we see social work as Individualist/Reformist. Socialist/Collective. Reflexive/Therapeutic.

19. Different Theory and Knowledge How it links to the role! Law Sociology Psychology Social Policy Values Philosophy Economics Medicine Anti- Discriminatory Practice Community Work Family Therapy Task Centred Anti-Oppressive Practice Group Work Theory Crisis Theory Person Centred Practice Assessment Reflection on Practice Knowledge from Experience Knowledge from Service Users and Carers Procedural Knowledge Empirical Legal and Policy Knowledge Knowledge of Resources and Locality Values Unique Individual Assessment

20. Case –Durrant Family In class you will listen to a recording of the Durrant family and will be asked to carry out specific tasks which will link in with the following In groups answer the following: What kinds of knowledge to social workers need and why do we need it? What are you assessing here ? List the theory & knowledge that will aid you to “assess the Durrants” and their circumstances What kinds of specialist knowledge do we need here? Why did you select out this knowledge and how would you apply it or use it in this case?

21. Knowledge informs practitioners about people and their situation We need to have models of assessment and methods of intervention so we can affect change Human development – Psychology ages and stages Communication & human interactions- specialist knowledge maybe required Sociology, Social Policy, social divisions in society Environmental, Welfare Benefits, Housing, legislation Political and Economic context to where you practice Which includes, poverty and the health context of the area you practice in Anti-oppressive practice/ Values Social Processes of disadvantage in our society

22. Empirical Knowledge helps us to inform practice “We gather, sift & process relevant information in order to form a “whole picture” of person in their situation Being selective and setting priorities helps to plan intervention Using analytical skills to recognise patterns and interconnections Reflecting and critically evaluating to construct arguments to support decision making and action Communication clearly and effectively” (Dalrymple & Burk 1995)

23. WHY do we need Knowledge? To make sense of people in their situation. To understand the interaction of people with their wider environment and social world. To help clarify role, purpose, task & boundaries. What are we doing and why? To plan appropriate intervention and change. To be analytical – selective and prioritise. To understand legal, policy and organisational context. To acknowledge our own limitations (what we don’t know/can’t do) To offer challenge and to effect change. Assess the complexities of practice. Help predict future behaviour and “risks”. To learn from own experience and that of others. To evaluate our practice.

24. A lack of Specialist and Practice Knowledge Leads a social worker into dangerous practice Leads to unthinking mechanical work Leads to uncertainty and ambiguity An inability to promote social justice and develop an individuals full potential and social functioning Lack of clarity and accountability Leads to inability to think and to analyse Means inability to weigh up and apply data Means unmet needs and risks

25. Knowledge links to planning and intervention Social Work Process – is the framework we use to ensure systematic practice Knowledge of methods link to how we work with people - intervention Knowledge of Psychology of people, attachments, interactions help us to see functioning Need Research and practice knowledge to help us empathise and understand the issue /predicament Law / social policy /procedures/ ethics standardise practice That there is an organisational context to practice which is linked to law and policy Social workers do not practice in isolation to these aspects The Durrant Family would require all of this