1. The Nature of Social Work
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
Use of Self
Knowledge
Skills
Process
Values and Ethics

4. Knowledge
This means there is 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
You are required to have a basic knowledge when obtaining the qualification
But knowledge is never ending and to keep up to date and reach appropriate standards your knowledge will continue to grow
This will enable you to develop your experiences and to development of professional competence
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
Values
Context
History (& Baggage)
Self Awareness
Knowledge base
Skills

7. We have to have knowledge of
The Law
And law making
The Aims of Social Work
Care standards Inspection
The Nature of Other Agencies
The Organisational Context
proceedures
The Nature of Society and sociology and psychology
This is the world in which social work exists. We could continue to add to this.
The Political Context
The Economic Context
The Policy Context
The Demographic Context

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
A practical moral enterprise ?
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 
So we need Knowledge and a set of beliefs’to helps us make sense of all this!

10. We need a Paradigm! What's that !
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!

12. 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
Guardian/Daily Mail
Theory: Ideas and Models which we can use to make sense of the situations we find ourselves in and/or help us to shape our response

13. What is your starting point. What are 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
In what ways do our paradigms affect what we see and do?
Theory: Ideas and Models which we can use to make sense of the situations we find ourselves in and/or help us to shape our response

14. There are hierarchies of Knowledge
Other Knowledge
Informal Theory
Practice Theory or Methods
Formal Theory Knowledge
Personal or Professional Paradigms or “world view”
Theory: Ideas and Models which we can use to make sense of the situations we find ourselves in and/or help us to shape our response

15. Purpose of Knowledge and theory..
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. It 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

16. We use formal or Grand Theory that Explain How Society is Organised.
Law
Sociology
Psychology
Social Policy
Values
Philosophy
Economics
Medicine
Theory: Ideas and Models which we can use to make sense of the situations we find ourselves in and/or help us to shape our response

17. Lets reflect on approaches to 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
Knowledge for individual contemplation of external objects
Knowledge is not only theoretical but moral and practical
(Bernstein 1995)

18. Reflect on our Sources of Knowledge
Empirical Evidence. 
Practice Theory. 
Conventional or Practice Wisdom. 
Personal Motivations and Ideals. 
(Davies (1994)
Our preference will be influenced by whether we see social work as  
Individualist/Reformist. 
Socialist/Collective. 
Reflexive/Therapeutic.

19. Case - Mr & Mrs Campbell
Mr & Mrs Campbell aged 86 & 84, live in local authority accommodation in Easter house, with their son Douglas aged 47. Mr Campbell has mobility problems, Mrs Campbell has angina and Douglas lives with downs syndrome. Neighbours have complained to housing and social services that Mr & Mrs Campbell are finding it increasingly difficult to “manage” Douglas. You are asked to “assess the situation” and compile the information into a report.
 Before you do anything:
 What kinds of knowledge to social workers need and why do we need it?
What is an “assessment” and when do you make one?
List the theory & knowledge that will aid you to “assess people” and their different circumstances
What kinds of specialist knowledge do we need?
Why did you select out this knowledge and how would you apply it or use it in this case?

20. 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. 
To represent your profession. 
Explain some of the complexities observed in practice. 
Help predict future behaviour and “risk”. 
To learn from own experience and that of others. 
To evaluate practice.

21. Other Kinds of Knowledge
Procedural Knowledge
Legal and Policy Knowledge
Empirical Knowledge
Knowledge of Resources
Values
Theory: Ideas and Models which we can use to make sense of the situations we find ourselves in and/or help us to shape our response

22. Theory Systems in Summary
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
Unique Individual Assessment
Theory: Ideas and Models which we can use to make sense of the situations we find ourselves in and/or help us to shape our response

23. Informal Theory
Reflection on practice
Knowledge from experience
Knowledge from service users and carers
Theory: Ideas and Models which we can use to make sense of the situations we find ourselves in and/or help us to shape our response

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 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

26. 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 
Use analytical skills to recognise patterns and interconnections  
Undertake critical evaluation 
Construct arguments to support decision making and action 
Communication clearly and effectively”
(Dalrymple & Burk 1995)

27. Practice Knowledge helps us plan appropriate intervention
Social Work Process – frameworks to aid systematic practice 
Methods of social work intervention –how to work with people 
Theories and models of social work 
Psychology of people, attachments, interactions 
Research and practice knowledge which comes from dealing with people and the social problems of the day
Values & ethical practice & codes of practice “professional rules specific to social work”

28. Practice Wisdom and Ideals helps us to understand the social processes
Knowledge helps us to understand the legal basis of practice.
The policy and agency procedures and how these are formed and developed
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
Our practice is linked to the knowledge and paradigms to the values and ethics that surround our society
Mr & Mrs Campbell would require all of this.

29. Selecting relevant knowledge
Means that social Work as an intellectual activity. 
Means we are able to integrate knowledge. 
Means we can reflection. Think, Feel and Do. 
We can lean to analyse and know what you don’t know.  
We can seek new and developing knowledge.  
We can expand our knowledge base.  
Be open to learning and realise that learning is ongoing and lifelong.