The Struggle for the Soul of Social Work in England

Specialist Communication Skills for Social Workers

“…being practised across the statutory and independent sector with tasks addressing equally high levels of risk and complexity, government-driven reviews and consultation documents appear to have situated the statutory local authority role as the dominant paradigm in UK social work (Higgins, 2015). The experience of the statutory local authority model is not of prevention, nor inclusion, nor advocacy and political challenge but rescue and protection (Bates et al, 2010;Jack and Donnellan, 2010;Goodyer and Higgins, 2013).…”

“…The extent to which the learning of specialist practice approaches should have its roots in generalist skills and knowledge learned at qualifying graduate level and transferred to the demands of specialist settings has been placed under scrutiny. On the one hand, the PCF's developmental and holistic model to increasing knowledge and skills development is considered to be more aligned to the broader vision of the social work role in society favoured by many European states (Higgins, 2015). This is reflected by the greater attention given by the 'domains' of the PCF to the knowledge base of social work and of its commitment to social justice, democratic rights and values (Humphrey, 2006;Marthinsen and Julkunen, 2012;Goodyer and Higgins, 2013;Higgins, 2015).…”

“…This is most evidenced in the 'transformational' and 'sociopolitical awareness' language of the PCF. At the same time, commentators have challenged the PCF for being so broadly focused that it is overly 'rhetorical', and as such unable to reclaim the professional artistry and ethical integrity found wanting in the bureaucratic managerialism of the UK's statutory social work model (Higgins, 2015). While social work in the UK is not solely practised from the statutory local authority model,…”

“…This is reflected by the greater attention given by the 'domains' of the PCF to the knowledge base of social work and of its commitment to social justice, democratic rights and values (Humphrey, 2006;Marthinsen and Julkunen, 2012;Goodyer and Higgins, 2013;Higgins, 2015). Herein, there are considered to be connections between the nine domains of the PCF and the International Federation of Social Workers (2000) definition of social work (Higgins, 2015). This is most evidenced in the 'transformational' and 'sociopolitical awareness' language of the PCF.…”

“…On the one hand, the PCF's developmental and holistic model to increasing knowledge and skills development is considered to be more aligned to the broader vision of the social work role in society favoured by many European states (Higgins, 2015). This is reflected by the greater attention given by the 'domains' of the PCF to the knowledge base of social work and of its commitment to social justice, democratic rights and values (Humphrey, 2006;Marthinsen and Julkunen, 2012;Goodyer and Higgins, 2013;Higgins, 2015). Herein, there are considered to be connections between the nine domains of the PCF and the International Federation of Social Workers (2000) definition of social work (Higgins, 2015).…”