History Of Social Work And Status In The Uk

Published Date: 02 Nov 2017

Part 1

History of social work and status in the UK

In the mid-1980s, social work was still a young profession, and grew rapidly, as the flow of legislation greatly widened the range and complexity of its work (Barclay Report 1982) This represented a shift towards managerialism, and the birth of the three Ms, managers, markets and mixed economies which brought a new emphasis on consumer sovereignty and individual choice (Williams et al.1999).

Social work in the past struggled with its research identity, since it has no unique subject matter or methodology (Witkin 1995). Social work is seen as an amalgamation of other disciplines, and therefore struggles to its own voice heard (Bywaters 2008). The struggle in comparison with other social sciences is evident if you consider its absence altogether as an undergraduate and postgraduate degree choice at both Cambridge and Oxford Universities.

Works by Townsend (1962), Jackson and Marsden (1962) and Greve et al.(1971), are examples of how research led directly to policy change, however this relationship has changed, with current researchers having to negotiate the discursive balance of power held by many different groups and stakeholders (Williams et al. 1999). Their has been a recent trend towards professionalisation in social work practice, and in 2001, IASSW and IFSW agreement on what social work is (Sewpaul and Jones 2004), although this is arguably ‘up for grabs’ (Thompson 2000). Nevertheless, it signifies a real shift and has been mirrored by a growing recognition of its distinctive identity as a research discipline (Smith 2009).

Emergent themes in social work research include the interactions between service users and social workers, the representation of service users’ voices and understanding organisational culture (Shaw and Gould 2001). The Social Care Institute for Excellence (SCIE) is committed to developing and promoting knowledge about good practice in social care, and has a core interest in developing the evidence base for social work across the UK.

In Scotland, nine universities have come together to establish SIESWE, with the goal of promoting a strategic approach to developing and ensuring quality in the learning and knowledge transfer in the implementation of the social work degree (McLaughlin 2007).

What is research? Why do it?

Research is carried out to find out something about the world (Hughes and Sharrock 1990)Research is essentially collecting information and thinking systematically about it (Connell 1975), and is a process that we engage in every day but instead of using the word research it is referred to as making enquiries or trial and error (Jones & D'Cruz 2004). It is different however from other information gathering as it is systematic and disciplined (Becker and Bryman 2004).

What is social work research, why is it different from the above?

Social work may struggle with its research identity, but it does have a unique commitment to understanding people within their social context and the commitment to serving marginalised individuals (Witkin 1995). It attempts to understand people, need to understand the social context of social problems, and recognises the inherent danger of pathologising individuals whose problems are largely the result of wider social factors. It is often the needs or issues that arise from practice that prompt ideas for research (Jones & D'Cruz 2004).

Social work research intends to do one or more of the following: explore, which aims to generate knowledge in a relatively unknown and under researched issue; describe, by highlighting certain aspects of a particular issue; and explain, which attempts to provide explanations for the issue (Marlow 2001, Royse 1999). Such questions have been suggested as being useful in two key areas of social work: needs assessments and evaluations, either for practice or progammes (Marlow 2001).

It also must be change oriented, accountable to service users and involve holistic engagement with the different aspects of the problem of people they are investigating (Dominelli 2005:230)

Social work research focuses on a particular aspect of social life, and aims to derive theory from the resultant data. This process is called induction, and intends to explain why something occurs (May 1994).

What types of research?

Social work researchers draw on a wide range of methods including ethnography, grounded theory, case studies, narrative, discourse analysis, conversation analysis and co-operative inquiry (Shaw and Gould 2001).

Why is research important?

Concerns about quality in social work can stem from a variety of sources and research is one of them (Adams 1998). Social workers are required to not only use their knowledge and experience to engage in research, but also contribute to it (BASW 2012). Despite this, research has been largely ignored by social workers. It is not given the attention it deserves and is treated as an add-on luxury despite in many ways being synonymous with good social work. Modernisation has lead to social work becoming increasingly specialist and fragmented (McLaughlin 2007), therefore the importance of specialist knowledge is central to effective practice.

Research mindedness is important because it encourages good practice (Everitt et al. 1992). The positive or negative outcomes of social work practice places importance practice reflection, seeking to find evidence that help identify differentiate what is effective and what is intrusive. Effective practice is more likely when the social worker has the ability to draw on and evaluate previous research (Jones and D’Cruz 2004).

Research should not just be about the pursuit of knowledge, since it also has a political and ethical purpose to promote and achieve social justice (Jones and D’Cruz 2004). The importance of social justice to social work is evident in its code of ethics (BASW 2012, Sewpaul and Jones 2004).

The ecological model, systems theory or functional school tries to resolve social problems through data collection and findings are presented to policy-makers in the hope that their suggestions will be implemented. Social workers work within the political structure (Chu et al. 2009), and intervene through active research (DePoy et al., 1999).

DePoy, E., A. Hartman and D. Haslett (1999) ‘Critical Action Research: A Model for

Social Work Knowing’, Social Work 44(6): 560–9.

For it to be useful, it needs to be grounded in practice (Jones & D'Cruz 2004). Well established tradition of inquiry emphasises the search for effective measures and evidence of positive practice outcomes (Sheldon 1983, 1986, Sheldon and Macdonald 1992 as cited in Smith 2009).

What it intends to achieve i.e. relationship with practice

Social work research and practice are interdependent, since practice is improved by being subject to critical scrutiny, and research is enhanced by principles drawn from practice (Everitt et al. 1992).

Good practice involves research informed evidence which is underpinned by methodology, and forms the crux of evidence based practice (EBP) (Webb 2001). Evidence based practice highlights the importance of outcomes (McLaughlin 2007), and focuses on ways of improving these for particular client groups. EBP constitutes the appropriate use of current best evidence in decision making of service user welfare, and aims to improve effectiveness (Webb 2001). Government investment in the Centre for Evidence-Based practice, as part of the Outcomes of Social Care for Adults initiative (Webb 2001), and as set out in Modernising the Social Care Workforce (TOPPS 1999) highlight the committed interest in EBP.

Although for some years it has not sought to extend or develop the core knowledge base or central underpinnings of the social work tradition (Trevillion 2008: 448). Furthermore, EBP is grounded in positivist and empiricist methods, with some suggesting contain fundamentally flaws (Polanyi 1967, Habermas 1968, Held 1980, Smith 1987). Nevertheless it chimes well with managerialism and its various administrative functions and control, and results in information processing and regulated action (Webb 2001).

Such a mechanistic approach is less favourable over one that values the interconnectedness between social work and service users, and does not serve to undermine professional autonomy (Webb 2001).

Who funds it

Much of the funding available for research in the wider field of social work has its origins in government departments (Marsh and Fisher 2005) The fact that research is highly dependent on government and large agency funding, their vested interests are sure to be addressed, perhaps imposing conditions or allowing their political expectations to justify or govern the ethical decisions made during the research (May 1994). Weber (1949) argued that social science could only provide the means, and not tell people the ends. This is particularly important in social work research, since means themselves can inherit the ends, therefore furthering oppression and inequality.

Who undertakes it?

This raises the question whether short term research contracts are a good idea, since researchers are put in positions that means they are less likely to challenge dubious practice in case they receive a bad reference or their contract is not renewed (May 1994).

Significant service user movements, have led to their involvement in the research process, and have led to independent studies, and have taken on a stronger role in seeking to influence (Smith 2009). Having a personal interest in the question/issue is vital, since research requires much time and effort (Alston and Bowles 1998). Also, research that does not properly involve service users is disempowering and the outcomes of which could be used to perpetuate oppressive service delivery processes (Alston and Bowles 1998).

Increased professionalisation champions expertise but risks encircling social work in its own knowledge and practice boundaries. The consequences of this are that it can lead to the exclusion of the very voices of the people it is trying to help, running the risk of practicing oppressively (Jones and D’Cruz 2004).

Ethics and values in research

Social work research never happens in a vacuum, as is the case for all research (Jones and D’Cruz 2004)

before the research

informed consent

covert methods

anonymity and confidentiality

during

right to withdraw

disclosure of incriminating information

protecting participants from harm (discussing sensitive information)

after

sharing the data

storing the data

Social work ethics

situational and contextual. Not fixed, but some congruence ethical position.

Researchers can find themselves negotiating difficult terrain in the interface between organizational interests and those of the people who use services, (Smith 2009)

Being cautious of making promises about the potential uses and impacts of research in order to secure participation when it is almost impossible to predict the outcome (Pinkerton 1999).

Appraise

Research with vulnerable people and sensitive issues

Future of research

How does research keep up with modernization? Either it continually develops current theories or focuses on the development of new concepts and models that are more relevant to the ever evolving contexts and tasks (Pease and Fook 1999).

quality control