Service Users’ Knowledges and the Social Construction of Social Work

Abstract

This article considers the implications for social work and social care education, policy and practice of including the viewpoints and knowledges of service users. The development of policy and practice for user involvement is critically discussed and the role of service users and their organizations in the construction of social work explored.• Findings: Disabled people's and service users' organizations have developed their own knowledges, theories and models, based on their first-hand experience. This paper examines the implications of such users' knowledge for social work and social care theory, policy and practice. It draws on discussions and developments in the disabled people's and other movements whose members are the subjects of social work theory and practice. It is informed by the authors' work and experience as service users, educators and practising social workers, as well as writers, activists and researchers in this field. • Applications: The article examines the progress that has been made in involving service users in social work education, theory building, research, practice development and standard setting. It explores some of the practical and philosophical issues involved in developing a more inclusive and socially constructed social work and suggests that this may offer a route to restoring social work to its core values.

The UK government’s imaginative use of evidence to make policy

“…One criticism is normative: the pursuit of scientifically informed policy should not come at the expense of alternative sources of legitimate knowledge, including different research methods and knowledge from practitioner and service user experience (Glasby et al 2007;Williams and Glasby 2010;Morrell 2008;Learmonth and Harding 2006;Beresford 2007;Beresford and Croft 2001). Another is empirical, describing ways in which policymakers and practitioners use evidence:…”

‘It's what gets through people's radars isn't it’: relationships in social work practice and knowledge exchange

“…disabled people, mental health service users) mounting campaigns for change through activities such as selforganisation, public demonstrations, advocacy and lobbying. Such movements tend to employ a discourse of rights, constructing user engagement as a way of ensuring social justice by empowering people to make their voices heard (Beresford, 2000;Beresford and Croft, 2001;Postle and Beresford, 2007). Running alongside this, however, within neoliberal discourse, statutory bodies have constructed user engagement as a way of ensuring that individuals feel listened to, and are therefore more amenable to government policies.…”

Runaway and Homeless Youth: Changing the Discourse by Legitimizing Youth Voice

“…In a critique of the user involvement system in the U.K., Beresford and Croft (2001) point out that while many service systems attempt to include service users to help shape practice, policy and research, -control [often] remains with the service system‖ (p. 296). A mistake is made when service users are brought in only to help a service system improve on what has already been designed rather than allowing the service users to actually design the service.…”

“…While well meaning advocates have developed practices, program models and policies they feel best serve this vulnerable population, utilization rates suggest these models may not be the most effective. Additionally, researchers from both the U.S. and the U.K. suggest that to develop a useful service system the views of RHY are vital (Beresford, 2000;Beresford & Croft, 2001;Pilgrim & Waldron, 1998;Stringer, 2007). Moreover, the voices of youth are available and staff, as well as researchers, need to create opportunities for RHY to give input to improve services.…”