The DNA of social work as a human rights practice from a frontline social workers’ perspective in Flanders

Abstract

Societal and political developments in European welfare states challenge the core principles of social justice, human rights, collective responsibility and respect for diversity that underpin social work. At the same time, however, in many European countries, there is a revival of a more transformative social work discourse aimed at the fight for social justice and the realisation of human rights. Gaining insight into the implementation of this human rights approach in social work requires that it be studied in everyday practice, since rights are not rigid structures but social and political constructions. In Flanders a two-year research process was therefore set up with frontline social work practitioners to explore the common ground of diverse social work practices in realising a rights-based practice. Through a qualitative analysis of these frontline perspectives, complemented with input from diverse stakeholders, we identified five building blocks as the DNA of a strong social work focusing on the realisation of a rights approach: (1) politicising work, (2) proximity, (3) process logic, (4) generalist practice, and (5) working in a connecting way.

The dignity circle: how to promote dignity in social work practice and policy?

“…Social workers are increasingly expected to engage with structural sources of oppression and play an advocacy role (Ornellas et al, 2018). To this end, social workers have to show that many of the private troubles they encounter are actually public issues that are in need of macro-level solutions (Dominelli, 2007;Vandekinderen et al, 2018).…”

“…Next to crucial 'thin needs' that are required for survival and to be guaranteed via material, tangible social rights such as food and shelter, Dean (2015) distinguishes 'thick needs' that form a dimension of human rights required for true fulfilment, such as the need to be treated with dignity and respect. Social work as a human rights profession pertains to both securing material rights and the promotion of 'thick needs' in everyday life (Vandekinderen et al, 2018). It is on the latter that our research is primarily focused.…”

Nonprofit Advocacy Coalitions in Times of COVID-19: Brokerage, Crowdfunding, and Advocacy Roles

“…One of the most urgent concerns of the coalition was to make visible and to communicate the value and resilience of social workers, such as community workers, outreach and youth workers, who were creatively adapting their practices and staying in touch with their vulnerable target groups. The coalition addressed the crucial role of social workers who could establish very low-threshold practices, taking the basic principles of social work into account (Vandekinderen et al, 2020). More specifically, the coalition emphasized the importance of social workers working in proximity with target groups, while taking into account their problem domains (Vandekinderen et al, 2020), as well as the necessary measures to ensure social distancing.…”

“…The coalition addressed the crucial role of social workers who could establish very low-threshold practices, taking the basic principles of social work into account (Vandekinderen et al, 2020). More specifically, the coalition emphasized the importance of social workers working in proximity with target groups, while taking into account their problem domains (Vandekinderen et al, 2020), as well as the necessary measures to ensure social distancing. Members of the coalition published an article on a blog for social workers.…”

Social work research and human rights: where do we go from here?

“…This means that human rights are not fixed or static, and therefore they cannot only be fully defined but should also be seen as levers for marginalised groups to struggle for social justice (Lister, 2007). Human rights might thus have two interpretations in social work (Dean, 2015;Vandekinderen et al, 2019). In that sense, Ife (2001, p. 152) argues that social workers can position themselves as active participants in this discursive process in two specific ways, and distinguishes between a deductive and inductive approach to human rights which both require a democratic, participative process in which all stakeholders can have a role.…”