Critical social work practice

A look at the meaning of critical practice, the views of service users, and the professional power of social workers.

What is critical practice?

How useful is critical practice?

A discussion about who should make the decisions in regard to service users and the success of family led methods in Scotland.

Making decisions about people

A look at the nature of the power that the social worker holds.

What powers do social workers hold?

Where is the power in social work? Who does it lie with? What negotiation is required?

Relative power in decision making

A look at the growth of regulation and how that feeds into the ability of individual practitioners to use their discretion.

Regulation in social work

A look at how effective standards and regulation are in social work.

How effective are standards?

A look at how the advent of the setting of standards in the education of social workers, and the regulatory framework that has been imposed from outside, has changed the job of the social worker.

How have regulations and standards changed the job?

A look at how the business of setting of standards feeds through to the service users.

The impact of standards on service users

This series of tracks looks at social work practice around the world and compares attitudes and management techniques within the social work field.  Material is taken from The Open University Course K315 Critical social work practice.

A school social worker talks about her work and how it is managed at the school that she works at and the issues that are covered by the team.

Social work in a US school

A look at some of the services and workshops provided by Amanda and her team at the school.

Dealing with emotions and crises

Amanda Mihaly talks about differences and tensions between social workersand school staff, and the problems of being grant funded.

Amanda Mihaly talks about differences and tensions between social workers<br>and school staff, and the problems of being grant funded.

Working in a school context

Social workers at a Mental Health centre in Lithuania talk about their qualifications and why they became social workers and what their work involves at the centre.

Working in a Lithuanian polyclinic

A look at the various methods of assessment and consultation that two social workers in a mental health centre use and the skills they believe are needed in the role.

Social work skills in a polyclinic setting

A social Worker at a psychiatric hospital talks about why she became a social worker.

Working in a South African psychiatric ward

The holistic solution to mental health as explained by Estelle.

Working with mental health patients

Estelle discusses issues within the field of mental health.

Working in the field of mental health

The chair of the social work review discusses the findings.

Changing Lives: Social work in Scotland in the 21st century

How do you see org strict change due to the review. 21st century social work review.

The impact on organisational structures

Critical social work practice - Audio

A look at managing change and what is required of the leader and their staff.

Implementing change through leadership

A look at a social worker, who works with adults with severe mental health problems, and her views on the changes that occurred with the introduction of the Care Commission.

The impact of change on mental health provision

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