power imbalance in social work practice

Alexander and Charles (2009) argue that the difficulty of balancing the need to relate to clients and the ideals of professional behaviour can make the position of social worker untenable when placed within the traditional notion of professional boundaries. Having feelings of "not coping" can feel, well, pretty disastrous. In the hierarchy of health professions, doctors have traditionally defended their professional autonomy and independence and . True Rural social work, in both developed and developing nation contexts, presents challenges to traditional notions of professional boundaries in social work practice. Contemporary social work theory already is aligned to the dynamic model that we have proposed. Analyze the daily practice or incident and your use of the enactments within the framework of cultural humility: 1) lifelong learning and critical self-reflection, 2) recognizing and mitigating power imbalances, 3) holding institutions accountable. In this essay, I reflect on my experiences of the ethical issues arising from an imbalance in power dynamics both between myself and a service user and between myself and another professional. This paper examines the sources of power of workers and clients, and, by using a power-dependence perspective, it explores the consequences of power on social work practice. Whilst the ability to forge good interpersonal relationships is desirable, but often not essential for highly developed professions such as medicine and law, it is an absolute precondition of effective social work practice (Chu and Tsui, 2008; Chu et al., 2009; Proctor, 1982; Ward et al., 2010). Cited by lists all citing articles based on Crossref citations.Articles with the Crossref icon will open in a new tab. Social work seeks to address social injustice by challenging the processes of discrimination and oppression which create barriers to inclusion and lead to social exclusion; it seeks to address power imbalances and to empower people to develop and connect to networks and services to improve health and well-being. Needless to say, such a reconceptualisation does not negate the importance of establishing limits based on clear values and ethical considerations. On the one hand, it has been suggested that the traditional representation of professional boundaries reinforces power imbalances and tends to undervalue the personal exchange required to engage with clients meaningfully (Bird, 2000; O'Leary, 2004). conflict. I have travelled around the world with no fear that I would be singled out for my skin colour; my dad, on the other hand, is too fearful to travel to America for the fear of being attacked. Despite its great influence on society, professionals working in human services are often oblivious to their own power and privilege, their impact on the therapeutic relationship, and how the lack of acknowledgment and dialogue contributes to the marginalization of certain individuals and groups. The briefing identifies empirical studies that report on the association between the process of supervision and outcomes for service users, workers and organisations. However, empirical research has shown little variation in the effectiveness of the array of approaches. These exchanges are marked by the complex interaction of personal and broader environmental factors. Whilst these various approaches are important developments in the theorising of social work practice, they do not focus on how the social work relationship and its boundaries are constructed and maintained. Choose this option to get remote access when outside your institution. In 1990 in the UK the case of 'The Pindown Experience', which occurred in the county of Staffordshire, came to the public and media attention. This paper examines professional boundaries and presents an alternative conceptualisation of boundaries in social work relationships. It furthers the University's objective of excellence in research, scholarship, and education by publishing worldwide, This PDF is available to Subscribers Only. More specifically, when used ethically and effectively, the power differential offers people in therapy, students, supervisees, and patients some important assurances: Confidence in their . Reflect on why this is this is something you can share vocally, through writing, or any other creative outlet. Boundaries have been used to avoid conflicts of interests and to prevent exploitation or harm (Reamer, 2003). This is important as it begins to deconstruct the power relationship between supervisor and social worker, and social worker and family members. Experience - our experience of the world, in a job, or in a particular area of life can give us power over another. For full access to this pdf, sign in to an existing account, or purchase an annual subscription. Facilitate a constructive discussion on power conflicts and imbalances in placement settings. Is the clientworker relationship associated with better outcomes in mandated child abuse cases? This can be attributed, in part, to the ineffable nature of relationship, despite ongoing efforts to present scientific evidence of its effectiveness (Coady, 1993). In moving away from personal culpability, we begin to humanise each-other. Introduction. Codes of ethics for professional bodies refer to boundaries but place the power of boundary setting with the social worker and simultaneously do not offer guidance as to how boundaries can be set, other than clearly situating obvious boundary violations such as sexual relations as unethical. Uncertainties are likely to arise in social work relationships that will require social workers to reflect on the viability of the boundaries in place. It is important to recognise that there are issues and behaviours that are clearly outside the boundaries of the professional relationship (outer circle of Figure2). That there is such a thing as society despite messages to the contrary which have seeped into our national psyche. But in other situations, a younger person may have more power. Social workers are often proponents of specific models, claiming that they are highly effective and closely compatible with the aims of social work. Many clients do not voluntarily enter into their relationship with a social worker, but have been legally obliged to participate. View the institutional accounts that are providing access. From this universal value base, it is possible to conceive of social workers developing skills in relationship-based practice and boundary setting that are transferable across geographical and cultural domains. Presented at BASW's Student Social Worker and NQSW Conference 30th June 2012. After teaching English around the world, she obtained her MSc in Social work from the University of Brighton in 2019. This article is also available for rental through DeepDyve. I feel stuck between two worlds, in that I have been treated as a white person my whole life, yet witnessed indirect racism throughout my childhood. The earlier reference to Beresford et al. 1. The Social Graces challenge the idea of a fixed personality. Yet, the creation and management of the boundaries of the social work relationship have received little attention: these boundaries are usually assumed and are modelled on more general conceptions of professional boundaries. Jenny R. Yang and Jane Liu The promise of our nation's anti-discrimination laws has not been fully realized because our current enforcement and legal system has failed to confront the fundamental power imbalance underpinning the employment relationship. It is the quality of relationship between the social worker and the client rather than the specific model of practice that has been proven to be a strong predictor of outcomes (Coady, 1993; Howe, 1998). Tew, J. Have you ever been overlooked for a promotion because of your gender? Clients often entrust very personal information and feelings in the process of the intervention. In addition, many social work profes- Select your institution from the list provided, which will take you to your institution's website to sign in. He has published 105 items of research works, including eleven books and forty-five journal articles. EDITORIAL Theories of power in interprofessional research - developing the field Shelley Cohen Konrada, Simon Fletcher b, Rick Hoodc, and Kunal Pateld aSchool of Social Work, University of New England, Armidale, USA; bFaculty of Health, Social Care and Education, Kingston and St Georges University London, London, UK; cKingston University, Faculty of Health, Social Care and Education, London . Or ask service users to do so. . We use cookies to improve your website experience. It is often the immediacy of boundary-setting decisions that perturbs practitioners, with professional encounters frequently requiring swift reactions. The existence of this power imbalance should be a central consideration when social workers form and manage their relationships with service users, their friends and family, and also with ex-service users. The articulation of unconscious behaviours, if sensitively done, can be liberating and emancipating for individuals who gain insight into how they configure relationships with others and, particularly in the case of statutory work, with those in positions of authority. The noteworthy aspect of this reconceptualisation is that the boundary surrounds and connects the social worker and client, rather than separates the two parties. One of the responses to managing these demands has been the construction of professional boundaries. Social workers are now required to be more reflective and accountable in their relations with clients. If you see Sign in through society site in the sign in pane within a journal: If you do not have a society account or have forgotten your username or password, please contact your society. It is this exclusive and implicit model of boundary setting that we are seeking to reconfigure. As the minutes passed by, George reverted to system of hierarchy, to appease his killers. In order to be clear about how professional boundaries might most appropriately be configured, it is necessary to understand the nature of the professional social work relationship. I explore the use of power and professional authority, value dilemmas resulting from my role as both a social work student and a youth justice worker, and deontological and teleological issues arising from tensions between professionals with differing objectives. Practice Matters was created as an educational resource for social workers in Newfoundland and Labrador. Registered in England & Wales No. Putting the need for the social graces into a cultural context, Rowland explained that in our western, capitalist society, we have often tended to think of ourselves first and foremost as individuals, rather than as a cohesive unit. Click the account icon in the top right to: Oxford Academic is home to a wide variety of products. Anti-Oppressive Practice in Mental Health. The traditional notions of boundaries separating clients from professionals do not encompass the complexities of the political and moral practice that social work encompasses, nor do they take account of the cultural diversity and the mutuality in social work relationships. It is argued that, in most instances, the effectiveness of social work . Explore and identify your own implicit biases by taking implicit association tests or through other means. The imbalance of power in the CPS-parent relationship is a central aspect of the relation- ship. This model attempts to capture a more authentic representation of social work relationships. As human beings, we feed off the energy and discourse of others. Attempt the above exercise with the grace you feel the least drawn toward. A personal account can be used to get email alerts, save searches, purchase content, and activate subscriptions. Summary: This paper reviews the existing literature that seeks to conceptualize the operation of power, from modernist ideas of power as a 'thing' that may be possessed, to a range of critical alternatives, including structuralist, Foucauldian and feminist psychological perspectives. By critically examining the professional boundaries of the social work relationship, we propose an alternate approach to the creation of such boundaries. As a professional, their power is developed from their expertise, knowledge and ascribed powers. Underlying this reconceptualisation is the belief that the social work relationship is unique: it has qualities in common with other associations such as friendships, but it is a distinct relationship that cannot be extended in the same realms as family or intimate relationships (Turney, 2010). Issues of power and authority are core to social work. Because the stakes are so very high. Journal of Social Work Values & Ethics, Fall 2017, Vol. Search for other works by this author on: You do not currently have access to this article. Power matters because it affects one's ability to secure desired outcomes (including the satisfaction of basic human needs to control and to belong) (p. 8). Patients may not participate in care because of a perceived subordination to their providers. Personal information that is not relevant to the issues discussed may be considered off limits. They must limit the personal disclosure, expectations, extent, duration and focus of the relationship; there must be some terminal points to the engagement (Turney, 2010). Social workers often come from the dominant cultural group; therefore, relationship forming with clients from minority groups requires an understanding and critical appraisal of dominant taken for granted views of the world. If your institution is not listed or you cannot sign in to your institutions website, please contact your librarian or administrator. About this essay. They could differ according to place, time and culture. The term Social Graces, Rowland explained, is a mnemonic to help us remember some of the key features that influence personal and social identity (see figure 1), as developed by John Burhnham, Alison Roper-Hall and colleagues (1992). Nor does such a presumption reflect the importance that social work places on care and concern in relationships (Tsui and Cheung, 2004). Thats the beauty of the graces; they are fluid. Inevitably, however, ethical questions arise in the social work relationship when moral and political imperatives are in conflict with the individual client's well-being. For the most part, they relied on an assumption of the traditional notion of separation. As a consequence, the professional boundaries within social work have become increasingly incongruent with developments in the profession's unique theoretical and value base. Regardless of whether the relationship is voluntary or involuntary, there is an essential criterion for a professional social work relationship: it must have a purpose and function, and these form the basis of the relationship. inherent power asymmetry in social work can lead to worker uncertainty at best, and a toxic and abusive culture at worst. Over time, social work theorists have developed sophisticated processes to address the power imbalances and instances of exploitation and discrimination that may arise in relationships with clients. Well, thats simply not true. I have no reason to fear the police; my dad does, and has been assaulted by them. Social workers often experience psychological distress when they hear about a client's trauma. This is particularly important in non-Western societies such as the Middle East and Africa, where professional socialisation may create barriers to social work practice (Al-Krenawi and Graham, 2001). In a similar vein, social work practice needs to be premised on the principle of connection within professional relationships, recognising that how this is negotiated will be unique to individuals and their social, political and cultural settings. In social work, therefore, one is always dealing with power relations. Topics discussed include: social work powers in working with children and families; the changing role child care social work and the crisis of confidence about the role; increasing policy shift towards social control; the tensions and contradictions inherent in the helping process; the role of social workers in the school environment; whether Power imbalance The term 'Social Graces', Rowland explained, is a mnemonic to help us remember some of the key features that influence personal and social identity (see figure 1), as developed by John Burhnham, Alison Roper-Hall and colleagues (1992). Power also exists in the form of the client. It is the foundation for successful outcomes of intervention but is a skill that is difficult to exercise effectively. For librarians and administrators, your personal account also provides access to institutional account management. Implications for social work research, education and practice are also examined. The centrality and importance of the social work relationship have been consistently emphasised in the profession's literature for over a century. If you believe you should have access to that content, please contact your librarian. This intermediate self-study activity consists of 1.0 clock hours of continuing education instruction. They should also analyze the underlying social structures that contribute to social problems, such as . In fact, Howe (1998) suggests that the way social workers understand their clients and work with them is the best demonstration of the profession's capacity to connect and unite. These situations demand careful consideration to determine what constitutes an appropriate professional stance. as part of their professional training (p. xiii). Society member access to a journal is achieved in one of the following ways: Many societies offer single sign-on between the society website and Oxford Academic. In this regard, social workers' use of self is vital to their ability to relate to clients (Ward, 2010). However, the model challenges these theories to pay more critical attention to how boundaries can be negotiated in a global world. This conceptualisation is more compatible with contemporary theoretical developments within the profession. It furthers the University's objective of excellence in research, scholarship, and education by publishing worldwide, This PDF is available to Subscribers Only. The findings of research conducted with families engaged in the child protection system endorse the importance of transparency and reciprocity in the boundary-setting process. As the model illustrates, the successful resolution of professional boundary issues is a skilled and multifaceted activity and can depend on achieving a balance between personal privacy, the safety of vulnerable individuals and the protection of the wider public (Doel et al., 2010, p.8). To get you started, here is a personal example: How many times as a social worker did I hear the dreaded phrase He/she is a challenging child. These disciplinary practices are ways by which power is exercised throughout society, often manifesting in social relationship. Essential Theory for Social Work Practice is an engaging and readable text, with a distinctively realistic and honest approach to the realities of everyday practice. It could be said that, in the course of its development, social work research has been mindful of the distinctive position and contribution of clients and has endeavoured to adopt an approach that is inclusive and endorsing of connections rather than separations in the research process. Discuss experiences of power conflicts and practice dilemmas. Here you will find options to view and activate subscriptions, manage institutional settings and access options, access usage statistics, and more. The same could also be said for interprofessional relationships where the sources of power differentials, including the broader social, cultural and professional systems, produce and reinforce the power imbalances . Have you ever been rejected from a job application solely based on your surname? Copyright 2023 National Association of Social Workers. It is often helpful to agree that problematic issues, such as cultural misunderstandings, will be discussed as transparently as possible. 1.1 Practise in accordance with the AASW Code of Ethics and manage ethical . This toolkit is meant for anyone who feels there is a lack of productive discourse around issues of diversity and the role of identity in social relationships, both on a micro (individual) and macro (communal) level. Recent serious cases, such as Baby Peter Connelly, have highlighted the importance of close, yet purposeful, relationships and the crucial role they can play in a child's safety or even survival. Setting the ethical parameters of the social work relationship, Reconceptualising the boundaries in the social work relationship, Implications for social work theory, practice, education and research, Australian Association of Social Workers (AASW), 2010, Hong Kong Social Workers Registration Board (HKSWRB), 2009, Receive exclusive offers and updates from Oxford Academic, Copyright 2023 British Association of Social Workers. (2009) assert, social work is a moral and political practice and decisions regarding the setting of boundaries are inherently subjective. Her research and teaching interests lie in the fields of relationship-based and reflective practice. Cultural and individual preferences, such as ways of greeting and speaking, might be incorporated into the boundaries of the relationship.
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