1. The Social Work Knowledge Base

2. Knowledge & Social Work
Social work is a combination of knowledge, skills and values in practice
This means that practice is not undertaken in a mechanical unthinking way
The Knowledge base of Social Work is the result of developments in SW practice, theory, policy and research
This means that our practice is linked to changes in the social, political and economic circumstance in which we live and work
Our professional knowledge is a combination of global knowledge, local 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:
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 issues at the one and the same time 
We require a knowledge base and to be able to reflect on it and apply it and adapt it
Knowledge is dynamic; to keep up to date and reach appropriate standards your knowledge will continue to grow
The responsibility to keep up to date with professional knowledge rests with you

5. The purpose of knowledge and of social work theory is:
To provide some explanation of the complexities and contradictions observed in Social Work practice - and in human relationships in particular
To help predict possible future behaviour
To define what social workers do in professional practice
(Orme 2000)

6. Practicing Social Work requires the blending of many different kinds of discourses:
Values
Context
History (& Baggage)
Self Awareness
Knowledge base
Skills

7. What kinds of knowledge do we need?
The Law
and policy making
The Definitions of Social Work
Case reviews
Ethical frameworks
Research and Practice knowledge
methods
The Organisational Context
Procedures
Assessment frameworks
The Nature of Society and sociology and psychology
This is the world in which social work exists. We could continue to add to this.
Human interactions
Skills
Emotional intelligence
The Economic Context
The political Policy Context
The Demographic Context

8. Why are we learning about these kinds of knowledge?
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 ?
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 help us make sense of all these dialectics

10. We need paradigms to help us make sense of the world!
What is a paradigm?
- A set of assumptions, beliefs, values and methods that make up a preferred view of the world (Orme 2000) 
All theory / knowledge and thus social work 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, reflective activity
It does not mean learning knowledge and then going on ‘auto pilot’
It means using the knowledge to assist us to manage the complexities and contradictions involved in the professional role 

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
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

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
Families are safe places
Paradigms affect what we see and do and are linked to our Knowledge base.
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. The purpose of knowledge and theory is to
”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. 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. We use different types of knowledge ‘Grand Theories’ (e. g
We use different types of knowledge ‘Grand Theories’ (e.g. Marxism) try to explain how society is organised as a whole.
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

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
Knowledge for individual contemplation of external objects
Knowledge is not only theoretical but moral and practical
(Bernstein 1995)

17. Kinds of knowledge: Procedural Knowledge Legal and Policy Knowledge
Empirical Knowledge
Knowledge of Resources
Values / ethics codes of practice
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

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 forms of theory and knowledge:
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

20. Case –Durrant Family
In class you will listen to a recording of the Durrant family which will link in with 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 this particular knowledge and how would you apply it or use it in this situation?

21. Knowledge informs practitioners about people and their situation:
We need to have models of assessment and methods of intervention so we can affect positive 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 
The political and economic context of where you practice  
This includes poverty and the health context of the area you practice in 
Anti-oppressive practice / values
The 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 
To communicate clearly and effectively
(Dalrymple & Burk 1995)

23. 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 / cannot do) 
To offer challenge and to effect change 
Assess the complexities of practice 
Help predict future behaviour and “risks”. 
To learn from our 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 not addressing unmet needs and managing risks

25. Knowledge links to planning and intervention:
The 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, attachments, interactions help us to see functioning
We need research and practice knowledge to help us empathise and understand the issue / predicament
Law / social policy / procedures / ethics to standardise practice
That there is an organisational context to practice which is a result of law and social policy
Social workers do not practice in isolation to these aspects
Would the Durrant Family require all of these forms of knowledge?