Contemporary therapeutic approaches that draw on humanistic, post-structural and critical theoretical paradigms advocate transparency and the deconstruction of power relations (Healy, 2005). Countering this presumption, our positively orientated boundary-setting model, based on the creation of boundaries that establish connections within professional relationships, is more in keeping with the contemporary ethos of social work. Reflective Practice can enable practitioners to learn from experience about themselves, their work, and the way they relate to home and work, significant others and wider society and culture. The configuration of social workerclient relationship boundaries has failed to keep pace with the advances of contemporary theory and practice, resulting in calls for radical shifts (Alexander and Charles, 2009) in its conceptualisation. There are inherent issues of power and accountability when, for example, male social workers counsel women who have experienced male violence or white social workers advocate the ethnic minorities rights of black clients. Current research on the social work relationship will help to inform the construction of the boundaries of the social work relationship that are transparent, considered and acceptable. They could differ according to place, time and culture. This includes a common understanding of the reasons for the relationship. For example, cultural practices such as sharing tea or meals with clients may play an important role in developing the social workerclient relationship. Power matters for those who have it and for those who lack it. Personal information that is not relevant to the issues discussed may be considered off limits. Developing psycho-dynamic reflective skills that can address the conscious, unconscious and reciprocal aspects of professional relationships is critical for effective, sensitive boundary management and professional well-being (Fook, 2002; Ruch, 2010). Did you know that with a free Taylor & Francis Online account you can gain access to the following benefits? I have always been referred to by my first name at work; my dad, on the other hand, has been called by racist nicknames which have stuck. If you see Sign in through society site in the sign in pane within a journal: If you do not have a society account or have forgotten your username or password, please contact your society. Developing new understandings of independence and autonomy in the personalised relationship, Ethical Decisions for Social Work Practice, Power, care and vulnerability: Considering use of self in child welfare work, What Works for Children? Effective Services for Children and Families, National Association of Social Workers (NASW), Integrating a narrative approach to men who have been sexually abused in childhood: Negotiating a relationship to challenge hegemonic masculinity, Constructive Social Work: Towards a New Practice, Relationship: The Heart of Helping People, The workerclient relationship: A general systems perspective, Social Casework: The Journal of Contemporary Social Work, Dual relationships: Personal and professional boundaries in rural social work, Transforming the working definition of social work into the 21st century, Boundary issues in social work: Managing dual relationships, Friendly Visiting among the Poor: A Handbook for Charity Workers, Relationship-based practice and reflective practice: Holistic approaches to contemporary child care social work, The contemporary context of relationship-based practice, Vicarious traumatisation counsellors and effects in their workplaces, British Journal of Guidance and Counselling, Key features of therapeutic social work: The use of relationship, Consumer-centered social work practice: Restoring client self-determination, Gone with the wind: The impacts of managerialism on human services, Sustaining relationships: Working with strong feelings. Putting the need for the social graces into a cultural context, Rowland explained that in our western, capitalist society, we have often tended to think of ourselves first and foremost as individuals, rather than as a cohesive unit. Taken far enough, this lack of professional reflexivity turns into management The findings of research conducted with families engaged in the child protection system endorse the importance of transparency and reciprocity in the boundary-setting process. I created this motivational and educational blog focused on empowering social workers and providing content about social work, personal development, mental health so that we can increase awareness and have conversations about social work, personal . Not after a decade of austerity, which saw poverty skyrocket to 1.2 million up from 41,000 in 2010. The earlier reference to Beresford et al. 3099067 There are numerous contested terms (client, service user, consumer) used to describe the people with whom social workers work. Social work is a profession that involves relationships with individuals, between individuals, with individuals in groups, with individuals and organisations, and between organisations (Arnd-Caddigan and Pozzuto, 2008; Kadushin, 1972; Perlman, 1979; Petr, 1983; Richmond, 1899; Wilson et al., 2011). Needless to say, such a reconceptualisation does not negate the importance of establishing limits based on clear values and ethical considerations. These exchanges are marked by the complex interaction of personal and broader environmental factors. Graduate Students' Perceptions of Professional Power in Social Work Power matters because it affects one's ability to secure desired outcomes (including the satisfaction of basic human needs to control and to belong) (p. 8). Conceptualising the boundaries of the social work relationship in this way enhances clients' sense of autonomy, level of participation and dignity, and has the potential to make the whole process of intervention more humane. Power Dynamics and Social Work - Essay Example - Studentshare To purchase short-term access, please sign in to your personal account above. This may invoke greater discussion with clients about how the relationship might differ from their experience with other professionals. Within the fields of family therapy and counselling, Bird (2000) and O'Leary (2004) have suggested an alternative model for professional boundaries. I explore the use of power and professional authority, value dilemmas resulting from my role as both a social work student and a youth justice worker, and deontological and teleological issues arising from tensions between professionals with differing objectives. Inevitably, however, ethical questions arise in the social work relationship when moral and political imperatives are in conflict with the individual client's well-being. And few can, no matter the amount of hard-work, realistically, close that gap. 3.1 Explain factors which result in a power imbalance in . Social workers are now required to be more reflective and accountable in their relations with clients. In this essay, I reflect on my experiences of the ethical issues arising from an imbalance in power dynamics both between myself and a service user and between myself and another professional. When a power imbalance at work harms an individual, a therapist can help them devise strategies for asserting their own needs in a professional manner. Clients often entrust very personal information and feelings in the process of the intervention. Codes of ethics for professional bodies refer to boundaries but place the power of boundary setting with the social worker and simultaneously do not offer guidance as to how boundaries can be set, other than clearly situating obvious boundary violations such as sexual relations as unethical. Summary: This paper reviews the existing literature that seeks to conceptualize the operation of power, from modernist ideas of power as a 'thing' that may be possessed, to a range of critical alternatives, including structuralist, Foucauldian and feminist psychological perspectives. The boundaries stipulated in the social work code of ethics and literature are referenced as if they possess a universal meaning. Google Scholar Tilbury, C. ( 2004) 'The Influence of Performance Measurement on Child Welfare Policy and Practice', British Journal of Social Work 34(2): 225-41. However, accepting the offer of an alcoholic drink may violate certain ethical assumptions. Power Imbalances - acsedu.co.uk An anti-oppressive (AOP) framework encourages social workers to critically analyze systematic oppression, individual bias and beliefs, and oppression which occurs between service users and oppressors. As a professional, their power is developed from their expertise, knowledge and ascribed powers. Search for other works by this author on: You do not currently have access to this article. She is now working as a social worker within a children's disability team in England. Attempt the above exercise with the grace you feel the least drawn toward. Strengthening accountability for discrimination: Confronting Do not use an Oxford Academic personal account. We need tangible tools we can use to fight against prejudice, to acknowledge privilege, and to redistribute power. 16763. intro to social work Flashcards | Quizlet In the hierarchy of health professions, doctors have traditionally defended their professional autonomy and independence and . All students should be aware that social work practice is made up of a network of power relationships and as a student you too are in an unequal power relationship with your practice educator - you are being assessed. Some societies use Oxford Academic personal accounts to provide access to their members. A definition of the specific nature and boundaries of the social work relationship is absent in social work literature (Chu et al., 2009; Coady, 1993; Petr, 1983; Proctor, 1982). Applying this to the example above, the Social Graces can help us to understand the child in the context of their relationships. Cultural differences, leading to disparities in moral and political outlooks, further complicate the relationship. The emergence of post-structural approaches to social work has led to a more critical appraisal of the complex nature of relationships with people who are oppressed or marginalised and has contributed to a concerted effort to challenge reductionist understandings of professional relationships to better cope with the diversity and uniqueness of people's individual circumstances (Ruch, 2005). Psycho-dynamic and post-structuralist perspectives conceive the social work relationship as a process in which both clients and workers are affected by developments and clients observe that social workers have a greater emotional influence when they are truly present and understood. I like this concept, because it removes the urge to pin down the blame on one individual; social work is rife with blame culture. It incorporates current theories and practices of social work that maintain that the social work relationship is both professional and unique, shaped by collaborative interaction and created by a mutually agreed-upon and context-specific set of boundaries. Framed in a comprehensive. Most notably, the quality, consistency and continuity of social work relationships with high-risk families have been cited as critical factors in tragic cases in the UK (Winter, 2009). Click the account icon in the top right to: Oxford Academic is home to a wide variety of products. In a similar vein, developments in personalisation policy in adult social care in the UK are shifting the process of decision making and creating greater client autonomy in their relationship with social workers and care workers (Leece and Peace, 2010). Don't already have a personal account? It is important to recognise that there are issues and behaviours that are clearly outside the boundaries of the professional relationship (outer circle of Figure2). But just because I might conform to privilege, it doesnt mean Ive had it easy. That there is such a thing as society despite messages to the contrary which have seeped into our national psyche. Thats the beauty of the graces; they are fluid. Where the potential for boundary breaches is heightened, for example, in the case of dual relationships in small communities, the model encourages the social worker and the client to acknowledge the risks and to focus on how they can manage their connections rather than on how they can maintain their distance. Download full paper File format: .doc, available for editing. Historically, the professional boundaries created within the field of social work have been influenced by other professions, most notably medicine. The concept can helpfully underpin teaching about relationship building and boundary setting. Human suffering is ubiquitous. Empowerment has become a well-used term across a wide variety of social work settings that involve dealing with people and their problems. The outer circle of the model encompasses those aspects of professional relationships that are unethical, non-negotiable and consequently located outside of the relationship boundary. PDF Practice Matters - NLCSW In the past decade, the emergence in many Western nations of an increasingly risk-averse political climate, with its concomitant managerialist strategies, has played a significant part in the defensive and distancing configuration of professional relationships (Broadhurst et al., 2010). Patrick J. O'Leary holds professorial appointments at Griffith University, Australia, and the University of Southampton, UK. 4 Examples of a Power Imbalance - Simplicable Professional boundaries: Crossing a line or entering the shadows? Dealing With Power in Social Work - GRIN For example, in Lebanon, young people in Palestinian refugee camps raised a concern about poor lighting with a social worker. Love and positive feelings, Narrative Therapies with Children and Families, The use of self in relationship-based practice, Limitations of the medical model in the care of battered women, Social Work: An Introduction to Contemporary Practice, Relationships matter: The problems and prospects for social workers' relationships with young children in care, The quest for social work knowledge: Literature in the United States and practice in China. Ethical codes reiterate that social workers must have professional boundaries in their relationships with clients (BASW, 2002; NASW, 2008; AASW, 2010; HKSWRB, 2009). She is committed to promoting the well-being of practitioners and managers in the interests of those with whom they work. It could be said that, in the course of its development, social work research has been mindful of the distinctive position and contribution of clients and has endeavoured to adopt an approach that is inclusive and endorsing of connections rather than separations in the research process. In all professional relationships, there are power imbalances and the potential for discrimination and exploitation. These are often referred to as dual relationships, where the community context for social workers requires both a professional relationship as well as social contact (e.g. If the tendons in one finger are strained, and it becomes less mobile, there is likely to be an impact on the others. It is this exclusive and implicit model of boundary setting that we are seeking to reconfigure. For full access to this pdf, sign in to an existing account, or purchase an annual subscription. Rate the graces on a linear scale of 1-10, 1 being that they impact you only a little, 10 being that they impact you significantly. They must limit the personal disclosure, expectations, extent, duration and focus of the relationship; there must be some terminal points to the engagement (Turney, 2010). To assist this, social work education needs to embrace the concept of connection as an integral dimension of social work values. 's (2008) research in the field of palliative care highlighted how clients most valued the friendship of their social workers and underlines how important the use of self is for effective practice. From the outset, there has been a commitment for clients to be involved in all aspects of the research processfrom the identification of research topics, in research design and data-collection processes, through to the strategies for disseminating findings (Smith, 2009). Furthermore, as the social work profession gains greater recognition in developing countries, such as China and India, there is need for an inclusive and representative approach to the conceptualisation of social work knowledge and the use of self (Yan and Tsui, 2007; Alphonse et al., 2008).
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