Social Work and Power

Moral Regret in Mental Health Social Work

“…Ethical actions depend upon individuals recognising the responsibilities they have for others and being prepared to stand out and swim against the tide or risk being carried along with it (Hugman 2003;Smith 2008). Given my relatively powerless position as a student social worker, (although voicing my opinion and perspective) I was unable to change the course of action and continued reluctantly in filing the appropriate report.…”

“…Social workers and other health and social care workers are increasingly under the gaze of the public through the critical lens of the media, which tends to focus upon unfortunate events and failings (Yianni 2009). It is no great surprise then, that social workers appear to abandon some of the reasons which led them to enter the profession in an attempt to insure themselves against the negative aspects of the risks inherent in the profession, (Yianni 2009) as they engage in practice that is increasingly proceduralised in order to address such shortcomings (Smith 2008). This overly risk averse culture had a direct impact upon the way this situation was handled.…”

“…Issues of power and dominance are thus central to ethical decision making (Bauman 2011). In this instance the action could contribute to the dominant discourse of dangerousness, and stigmatisation of mental health service users as a whole and to further internalised oppression and powerlessness for the individual further perpetuating inequalities (Smith 2008) at a micro, meso, exo and macro level (Bronfenbrenner 1994).…”

“…This overly risk averse culture had a direct impact upon the way this situation was handled. Protecting others from harm supersedes Paul's right to confidentiality, (Dominelli 2009) and is informed by his membership to a particular group (Dominelli 2004;Smith 2008).…”

Linking family engagement with a rights perspective: macro factors influencing practice

“…At the same time, we know from research that good outcomes attach to social work practice which is positive, partnership and strengths based (Jowitt andO'Loughlin, 2005: Trotter, 2006;Smith, 2008;Saleeby, 2009;Trevithick, 2012). Thus, an enhanced attention to the importance of families and efforts to engage families in partnership are welcome developments.…”