power imbalance in social work practice

This may feel uncomfortable at first, but keep at it. 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. A personal account can be used to get email alerts, save searches, purchase content, and activate subscriptions. Suggestions to minimise, challenge and overcome such issues. Recent serious cases, such as Baby Peter Connelly, have highlighted the importance of close, yet purposeful, relationships and the crucial role they can play in a child's safety or even survival. not give sufficient attention to asymmetrical power imbalances between actors nor the structural contradictions curtailing the expression of individualized . Keywords co-operative power emancipatory practice empowerment oppression power Over recent years, a dening feature of social work has been a concern with issues of power, particularly in relation to processes of oppression and empowerment (Adams, 1996; Karban and Trotter, 2000). Race, power and privilege. 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. Have you ever been rejected from a job application solely based on your surname? Social work seeks to address social injustice by challenging the processes of discrimination and oppression which create barriers to inclusion and lead to social exclusion; it seeks to address power imbalances and to empower people to develop and connect to networks and services to improve health and well-being. Equally, when boundaries have been set, social workers need to be aware of the importance of regularly reviewing them with clients to ensure they remain relevant and appropriate to the prevailing circumstances. The editors to Understanding Power: An Imperative for Human Services begin the book with a thorough overview of power dynamics and theories of power relations, targeted toward human services practitioners across disciplines (that is, social workers, psychologists, counselors, occupational and physical therapists, and medical professionals). Are you the same person around your partner, your cat and with work colleagues you meet for the first time? Illinois Counselors. Yet, at the same time, social workers must always remain conscious of their professional role. The traditional notions of boundaries separating clients from professionals do not encompass the complexities of the political and moral practice that social work encompasses, nor do they take account of the cultural diversity and the mutuality in social work relationships. Erin Roark Murphy, LMSW, Understanding Power: An Imperative for Human Services, Social Work, Volume 62, Issue 4, October 2017, Pages 373375, https://doi.org/10.1093/sw/swx039. Professional boundaries: Crossing a line or entering the shadows? Perhaps you are a teacher, youth group facilitator, student affairs personnel or manage a team that works with an . Its focus must encompass both the individual therapeutic purpose and the collective consciousness to bring about both individual well-being and social change. Select your institution from the list provided, which will take you to your institution's website to sign in. As a result, the boundaries of social work relationships are homogenised, even though the literature maintains that there is a great heterogeneity in the contexts in which social workers engage with clients (Sudbery, 2002; Anderson and Wiggins-Carter, 2004). It is often helpful to agree that problematic issues, such as cultural misunderstandings, will be discussed as transparently as possible. Copyright 2023 British Association of Social Workers. All rights reserved. In addition, many social work profes- Social workers must continually reflect on their role, purpose and function in order to achieve a connection with clients and insights into their experience. Beyond our own shores, global events remind us that equality is but a distant dream. Yet, for something so 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). Topics discussed include: social work powers in working with children and families; the changing role child care social work and the crisis of confidence about the role; increasing policy shift towards social control; the tensions and contradictions inherent in the helping process; the role of social workers in the school environment; whether The concept can helpfully underpin teaching about relationship building and boundary setting. Social workers often experience psychological distress when they hear about a client's trauma. We need tangible tools we can use to fight against prejudice, to acknowledge privilege, and to redistribute power. . Patrick O'Leary, Ming-Sum Tsui, Gillian Ruch, The Boundaries of the Social Work Relationship Revisited: Towards a Connected, Inclusive and Dynamic Conceptualisation, The British Journal of Social Work, Volume 43, Issue 1, February 2013, Pages 135153, https://doi.org/10.1093/bjsw/bcr181. Did you know that with a free Taylor & Francis Online account you can gain access to the following benefits? Discuss experiences of power conflicts and practice dilemmas. 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). The centrality and importance of the social work relationship have been consistently emphasised in the profession's literature for over a century. Download. Oxford University Press is a department of the University of Oxford. (Edited publisher abstract) Subject terms: This paper examines the sources of power of workers and clients, and, by using a power-dependence perspective, it explores the consequences of power on social work practice. 14, No. Gray (2010), in her examination of emerging ethical theories, such as feminist ethics of care, in the context of increasingly complex problems in harsh practice environments, suggests this can produce important considerations about the way social work relationships are constructed and distinguished from other types of professional relationships. While the medical model has been heavily criticised by social work theorists (Tower, 1994; Warshaw, 1989), this approach remains influential in the formulation of boundaries in the social work relationship (Ramsay, 2003). This point is reinforced by clients' appreciation of cross-boundary behaviour as an expression of personal concern (Turney, 2010). They should also analyze the underlying social structures that contribute to social problems, such as . 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. 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). Adopting a positive, relationship-based and inclusive attitude to professional boundaries opens up exciting possibilities, particularly as little is known about the impact on practice of inclusive boundaries (Doel, 2010) or instances in which practitioners went the extra mile for clients (de Boer and Coady, 2007). In order to get to grips with the Social Graces tool, I consulted with Rowland Coombes, a family systemic psychotherapist, and a clinical lead at the Centre for Systemic Social Work. However, empirical research has shown little variation in the effectiveness of the array of approaches. Contemporary social work theory already is aligned to the dynamic model that we have proposed. This interaction speaks volumes of institutionalised racism. This power imbalance can impede therapy when societal power dynamics, such as race, socioeconomic background, sexual orientation, and HIV status are taken into consideration. Reflect on why this is this is something you can share vocally, through writing, or any other creative outlet. Within the internal boundary of the relationship, there are particular expectations and understandings that relate to the ethics, purpose and functions of social work. Have you ever felt too intimidated to disclose your sexuality to colleagues? Register, Oxford University Press is a department of the University of Oxford. III. A power imbalance is an environment, relationship or interaction where one party has far more social power than the other. Uncertainties are likely to arise in social work relationships that will require social workers to reflect on the viability of the boundaries in place. Power matters for those who have it and for those who lack it. church, sports and schools) with the client (Kagle and Giebelhausen, 1994). 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. Essential Theory for Social Work Practice is an engaging and readable text, with a distinctively realistic and honest approach to the realities of everyday practice. The existence of this power imbalance should be a central consideration when social workers form and manage their relationships with service users, their friends and family, and also with ex-service users. Practice Matters is provided for general information. As a professional, their power is developed from their expertise, knowledge and ascribed powers. On the one hand, it has been suggested that the traditional representation of professional boundaries reinforces power imbalances and tends to undervalue the personal exchange required to engage with clients meaningfully (Bird, 2000; O'Leary, 2004). In general terms, social workers need to ensure that they act in the best interests of service users. Patrick J. O'Leary holds professorial appointments at Griffith University, Australia, and the University of Southampton, UK. In this way, issues arising from individual intervention may see a client and social worker working together within the community to protest and develop community action. It is argued that, in most instances, the effectiveness of social work . The same could also be said for interprofessional relationships where the sources of power differentials, including the broader social, cultural and professional systems, produce and reinforce the power imbalances . power. Social work's mission extends well beyond clinical domains and into political and social spheres, all within the confines of the social workerclient relationship. The briefing identifies empirical studies that report on the association between the process of supervision and outcomes for service users, workers and organisations. This article serves only as a brief introduction to a tool which is far richer and deeper than has been outlined here. Register a free Taylor & Francis Online account today to boost your research and gain these benefits: Ethical Dilemmas in Power and Authority: A Social Work Student Confronts Her Own Power, Social Work, University of Brighton, Brighton, England, /doi/full/10.1080/17496535.2020.1839183?needAccess=true. 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I have no reason to fear the police; my dad does, and has been assaulted by them. However, in a comprehensive study conducted by Doel and his colleagues (2010), a clear majority of social workers relied on their own sense of what is appropriate or not, instead of the complicated code of ethics or formal guidelines, in many cases as big as a book, set by professional bodies. So, over time, the dis was dropped, and the social added to the front, to highlight the fact that the graces have an impact not only on an individual level, but are activated within the community. The Author 2012. This intermediate self-study activity consists of 1.0 clock hours of continuing education instruction. This paper sets out a framework to structure reflexivity in social work practice. Power imbalance The term 'Social Graces', Rowland explained, is a mnemonic to help us remember some of the key features that influence personal and social identity (see figure 1), as developed by John Burhnham, Alison Roper-Hall and colleagues (1992). As a consequence, the professional boundaries within social work have become increasingly incongruent with developments in the profession's unique theoretical and value base. If you are a member of an institution with an active account, you may be able to access content in one of the following ways: Typically, access is provided across an institutional network to a range of IP addresses. Has a disability ever prevented you from contributing to the workplace? For example, a younger person coming into an industry may have more up to date knowledge and more useful skills than an older person, so there can be a power imbalance. I am a Social Worker, Practice Educator Mentor, and Best Interests Assessor. Critical Reflection on Self in Practice Social work is an inherently political role; it allows social workers to occupy a position of power and privilege via their access to resources and hierarchical structure of the social service sector. Whilst practitioners must learn to manage this vicarious traumatization during the course of their professional development (Sexton, 1999), being witness and connected to distress and conditions of social exclusion plays a pivotal role in the development of a better understanding of the lived experience of clients. Because the stakes are so very high. As it is a broad concept . The new approaches that have arisen from this critique, such as narrative therapy, seek to avoid pre-judgement by giving greater voice to marginalised clients through collaborative working. Practice ways to reduce stress and increase mindfulness, such as meditation, yoga, or . Having feelings of "not coping" can feel, well, pretty disastrous. The social graces, however, recognise that we are not isolated beings. in the form of the authority or the office. Click the account icon in the top right to: Oxford Academic is home to a wide variety of products. Gould (1990) and other scholars have warned of the dangers of Foucauldian approaches to social work that would effectively eliminate any claim of expertise. 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. Developing the skills to identify and articulate these unconscious dynamics that shape a social worker's relationship with a client is an important aspect of a reflective mindset. It is vital that . Hi there! It is the foundation for successful outcomes of intervention but is a skill that is difficult to exercise effectively. This conceptualisation of the social work relationship separates the professional social worker from the client (see Figure1). Sometimes, it seems impossible to maintain a strictly professional separation from clients and avoid any social and personal exchanges. Before all others, the core skill required by social work is the capacity to relate to others and their problems. To purchase short-term access, please sign in to your personal account above. Boundaries have been used to avoid conflicts of interests and to prevent exploitation or harm (Reamer, 2003). He began to use language such as Sir, addressing those who harmed him as though they were his superiors. Collaborating with the client in the setting of professional boundaries is likely to have a positive impact on the quality of the relationships we have with clients, itself an important factor in successful outcomes. Clients are often viewed as the sole recipients in the social work relationship. View your signed in personal account and access account management features. Cultural differences, leading to disparities in moral and political outlooks, further complicate the relationship. Experience - our experience of the world, in a job, or in a particular area of life can give us power over another. Social workers often grapple with difficult professional and systemic power dynamics with both service users and the other professionals they encounter in multi-agency working. The earlier reference to Beresford et al. I feel stuck between two worlds, in that I have been treated as a white person my whole life, yet witnessed indirect racism throughout my childhood. This authentication occurs automatically, and it is not possible to sign out of an IP authenticated account. Return to Article Details Issues of power in social work practice in mental health services for people from Black and minority ethnic groups Issues of power in social . In a group setting, or in pairs, attempt to roleplay the social graces from different perspectives. Modelling this through the delivery of teaching, for example, that is done in collaboration with clients, is an important means of bringing alive in the classroom the dilemmas this approach generates. A central characteristic of the proposed model is the recognition of the reciprocal nature of the connected professional relationship. 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). '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. As someone who is dual-heritage, but cloaked in white privilege due to my light skin tone, I am painfully aware of power differentials in terms of ethnicity; I have, throughout my life, been given different treatment to other family members. If you asked the same question today, on 29th June as we approach the half-way mark of the year, the answer would be unequivocal. 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. If the tendons in one finger are strained, and it becomes less mobile, there is likely to be an impact on the others. Choose this option to get remote access when outside your institution. Clients have no role, or a very minimal role, in the formulation of these professional codes of ethics even though they are the group most affected. Originally, the pneumonic was arranged as disgraces to highlight the fact that such inequalities were disgraceful, but it was feared this could be rather off-putting. Coronavirus deaths are doubled in affluent areas compared with the most deprived. Choose one of the graces you are drawn toward. This may invoke greater discussion with clients about how the relationship might differ from their experience with other professionals. Such a stance requires an understanding and ability to respond to what are often invisible and unconscious dynamics operating within the relationship. From this universal value base, it is possible to conceive of social workers developing skills in relationship-based practice and boundary setting that are transferable across geographical and cultural domains. Download Free PDF View PDF Marcel Koper MSW thesis: The effectiveness of clinical supervision Marcel Koper Download Free PDF View PDF Research conducted by Lee and Ayon (2004), for example, shows that the quality of the relationship between the social worker and the client is significantly related to better outcomes in child-protection cases, regardless of the model of intervention employed. And few can, no matter the amount of hard-work, realistically, close that gap. On January 1st 2020, if you had asked the average social worker whether they operated in a fair and just society, the resounding answer would have been no. The presumption that rational objectivity is achieved through the creation of professional distance or separation suggests that, somehow, relationships can be managed in such a way as to preserve discrete professional boundaries. In doing so, it is far easier to identify (and work on) our own prejudice, or indeed on our own privilege. forensic and child welfare social work practice. Authority 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 power imbalance can become exploitative when practitioners who are members of a dominant culture devalue the client's own values and perceptions. As a response, advocates of traditional social work relationships assert that boundaries that separate professionals from their clients guard against professional misconduct and prevent unhealthy dependence or close emotional attachment (Reamer, 2003). George Floyds last words, as he was murdered, will haunt us forever. Social work aims to encourage self-determination and promote social justice and the relationship between the social worker and the client is the starting point for realising these goals. 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. She is committed to promoting the well-being of practitioners and managers in the interests of those with whom they work. 1. Contemporary therapeutic approaches that draw on humanistic, post-structural and critical theoretical paradigms advocate transparency and the deconstruction of power relations (Healy, 2005). Rural social work, in both developed and developing nation contexts, presents challenges to traditional notions of professional boundaries in social work practice. Deciding how to establish, on the spot, for example, an appropriate professional boundary when unexpectedly encountering a male partner in the course of a home visit to conduct a child protection assessment is such an instance. This is important as it begins to deconstruct the power relationship between supervisor and social worker, and social worker and family members. These skills are particularly important in statutory social work where the potential for professional interventions and boundaries to be imposed on individuals and families rather than negotiated with them is heightened, on account of the anxiety-provoking circumstances being addressed. Ethical issues arising in social work have rightly received considerable attention but responses to them have invariably been premised on the belief that professional boundaries are clear for all to see and are professionally determined on the basis of separation and passivity as opposed to connection and dynamism. Underlying this reconceptualisation is the belief that the social work relationship is unique: it has qualities in common with other associations such as friendships, but it is a distinct relationship that cannot be extended in the same realms as family or intimate relationships (Turney, 2010). 5 Howick Place | London | SW1P 1WG. student placements. It safeguards against the emergence of bonds that are personal, sexual, religious, financial or business-oriented and allows the social worker to observe and help from a safe distance. Psycho-dynamic perspectives located at the individual end of the theoretical continuum have been pivotal in defining social work relationships as primarily therapeutic in nature (Sudbery, 2002). As the previous paragraph highlights, a distinctive feature of the model is its acknowledgment of the permeable and dynamic nature of professional boundaries. Access to content on Oxford Academic is often provided through institutional subscriptions and purchases. Shibboleth / Open Athens technology is used to provide single sign-on between your institutions website and Oxford Academic. In this case, it is possible that the client becomes the main actor. Understand the purpose of professional supervision in health and social care or children or young people work settings 1.1 Analyse the principles, scope and purpose of professional supervision I am going to analyse the principles, scope and purpose of supervisions. Restore content access for purchases made as guest, 48 hours access to article PDF & online version. Do not use an Oxford Academic personal account. This will require the expertise of the social worker to facilitate the participation of the client within their mandate. To be able to do this requires a relationship with the client in which the social worker is able to learn and acknowledge the influence of factors such as white privilege beyond an academic or clinical understanding into a direct personal integration (Gollan and O'Leary, 2009). It furthers the University's objective of excellence in research, scholarship, and education by publishing worldwide, This PDF is available to Subscribers Only. Power hierarchies can create an imbalance in patient-provider relationships. Empirical evidence has indicated, however, that social workers are not selfless givers: they receive psychological benefits from their professional relationships with clients (Lazar and Guttmann, 2003). Some uses of power in social work not only demonstrate bad practice, but also are regarded as immoral and illegal. 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.

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