Register a free Taylor & Francis Online account today to boost your research and gain these benefits: Ethical Dilemmas in Power and Authority: A Social Work Student Confronts Her Own Power, Social Work, University of Brighton, Brighton, England, /doi/full/10.1080/17496535.2020.1839183?needAccess=true. As human beings, we feed off the energy and discourse of others. The earlier reference to Beresford et al. We use cookies to improve your website experience. At the root of the problem is a system that places the primary responsibility for enforcing anti-discrimination laws on individual workers . When on the society site, please use the credentials provided by that society. Its about the interaction between people, not data.. Journal of Social Work Values & Ethics, Fall 2017, Vol. The Yo-Yo Effect: U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs Social Workers Experiences with Job Flexibility during the Pandemic, Social Workers Perspectives on Extreme Risk Protection Orders, Am I the Only One Who Feels Like This?: Needs Expressed Online by Abortion Seekers, About the National Association of Social Workers, Subscription prices and ordering for this journal, Purchasing options for books and journals across Oxford Academic, Receive exclusive offers and updates from Oxford Academic. 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). As a result, the social work relationship has adopted restrictive artificial barriers that are not in keeping with the profession's values and some of the realities of practice. The origins of this didactic and hierarchical construction of the social work relationship can be linked to the influence of the medical model: the doctorpatient relationship placing the doctor at the centre of the power structure, as a representative of rational authority (Kane, 1982). Cultural and individual preferences, such as ways of greeting and speaking, might be incorporated into the boundaries of the relationship. More specifically, when used ethically and effectively, the power differential offers people in therapy, students, supervisees, and patients some important assurances: Confidence in their . 'Cultural competence' refers to the knowledge, skills and awareness of cultural differences and similarities within, among and between groups. Historically, the professional boundaries created within the field of social work have been influenced by other professions, most notably medicine. Conceptualising the boundaries of the social work relationship in this way enhances clients' sense of autonomy, level of participation and dignity, and has the potential to make the whole process of intervention more humane. By critically examining the professional boundaries of the social work relationship, we propose an alternate approach to the creation of such boundaries. 1. This stance challenges the dominant discourse in relation to boundary setting that has been historically defensive and protective in nature. Gray (2010), in her examination of emerging ethical theories, such as feminist ethics of care, in the context of increasingly complex problems in harsh practice environments, suggests this can produce important considerations about the way social work relationships are constructed and distinguished from other types of professional relationships. Per the IDFPR: Social Work Continuing Education Sponsors approved by the Division in accordance with the rules for the administration of Clinical Social Work and Social Work Practice Act (225 ILCS 201), 68 Ill. Adm. Code 1470.95; PESI, Inc. is a registered social work . As a professional, their power is developed from their expertise, knowledge and ascribed powers. These skills are particularly important in statutory social work where the potential for professional interventions and boundaries to be imposed on individuals and families rather than negotiated with them is heightened, on account of the anxiety-provoking circumstances being addressed. It is a central theme of human services practice but, like empowerment, is often only loosely examined. How many times as a social worker did I hear the dreaded phrase He/she is a challenging child. Professional boundaries: Crossing a line or entering the shadows? For example, cultural practices such as sharing tea or meals with clients may play an important role in developing the social workerclient relationship. This can be the state, which socially legitimizes the power, or directly the client, who gives power through . Search for other works by this author on: You do not currently have access to this article. Needless to say, practices that are unethical, discriminatory or exploitative can do much more harm than good. And certainly not after the referendum, which saw 71% of ethnic minorities reporting racial discrimination, compared with 58% in January 2016 before the EU vote. This conceptualisation of the social work relationship separates the professional social worker from the client (see Figure1). Keep me logged in (not suitable for shared devices). Rural social work, in both developed and developing nation contexts, presents challenges to traditional notions of professional boundaries in social work practice. This book examines both the theory and practice of power and empowerment. I started social work practice in 1998 to now in 2015, where This power imbalance can impede therapy when societal power dynamics, such as race, socioeconomic background, sexual orientation, and HIV status are taken into consideration. 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. As a consequence, the professional boundaries within social work have become increasingly incongruent with developments in the profession's unique theoretical and value base. Access to content on Oxford Academic is often provided through institutional subscriptions and purchases. Critical Reflection on Self in Practice Social work is an inherently political role; it allows social workers to occupy a position of power and privilege via their access to resources and hierarchical structure of the social service sector. Social workers must continually reflect on their role, purpose and function in order to achieve a connection with clients and insights into their experience. Sometimes, it seems impossible to maintain a strictly professional separation from clients and avoid any social and personal exchanges. Empirical evidence has indicated, however, that social workers are not selfless givers: they receive psychological benefits from their professional relationships with clients (Lazar and Guttmann, 2003). ( 2006) 'Understanding Power and Powerlessness: Towards a Framework for Emancipatory Practice in Social Work', Journal of Social Work 6(1): 33-51. As well as recognising power issues and imbalances, as the social worker l would also need to undertake a risk assessment. For the most part, they relied on an assumption of the traditional notion of separation. Here, the quality of the relationship is shaped by the care and consciousness that the social worker both explicitly and implicitly displays. The Social Graces challenge the idea of a fixed personality. As the previous paragraph highlights, a distinctive feature of the model is its acknowledgment of the permeable and dynamic nature of professional boundaries. The new approaches that have arisen from this critique, such as narrative therapy, seek to avoid pre-judgement by giving greater voice to marginalised clients through collaborative working. Reflect on why this is this is something you can share vocally, through writing, or any other creative outlet. A personal account can be used to get email alerts, save searches, purchase content, and activate subscriptions. This will have a substantial influence on intervention outcomes. 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. Perhaps you are a teacher, youth group facilitator, student affairs personnel or manage a team that works with an . The noteworthy aspect of this reconceptualisation is that the boundary surrounds and connects the social worker and client, rather than separates the two parties. 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 . The social graces, however, recognise that we are not isolated beings. This intermediate self-study activity consists of 1.0 clock hours of continuing education instruction. Tew, J. 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). Because we fear the potential consequences should things go wrong. Reamer (2003) suggests a risk-management protocol to deal with such boundary issues. 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). From the outset, there has been a commitment for clients to be involved in all aspects of the research processfrom the identification of research topics, in research design and data-collection processes, through to the strategies for disseminating findings (Smith, 2009). Did you know that with a free Taylor & Francis Online account you can gain access to the following benefits? Psycho-dynamic perspectives located at the individual end of the theoretical continuum have been pivotal in defining social work relationships as primarily therapeutic in nature (Sudbery, 2002). To avoid falling into such traps, our reconceptualisation of professional boundaries takes into account the broad spectrum of contemporary theoretical influences. I am a Social Worker, Practice Educator Mentor, and Best Interests Assessor. Suggestions to minimise, challenge and overcome such issues. Gillian Ruch is a senior lecturer in social work in the Faculty of Social and Human Sciences at the University of Southampton. The default assumption is that these boundaries refer to the traditional model of separation from clients. Traditionally, the bounds of the relationship were set by professional bodies as a way of separating social workers from their clients. Think about it for a second. In particular, these dynamics are associated with the significance of gender and ethnicity on professional relationships, with female social workers, for example, establishing boundaries with male clients that are informed by their own early and recent experiences of men in their lives and vice versa for male social workers. 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. Oxford University Press is a department of the University of Oxford. Ethical violations such as sexual relations and other forms of exploitation or discrimination are indisputably outside the remit of the relationship. Has a disability ever prevented you from contributing to the workplace? No potential conflict of interest was reported by the author(s). 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. Under such conditions, it is easy to see how a model based on the principle of separation is attractive, as it is compatible with, and legitimates, what are often defensive responses that emerge in anxiety-provoking situations and when acting under pressure. 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. The configuration of social workerclient relationship boundaries has failed to keep pace with the advances of contemporary theory and practice, resulting in calls for radical shifts (Alexander and Charles, 2009) in its conceptualisation. Re-conceptualisation of the Professional Social Work Boundary. What Rowland says next is music to my ears especially as someone who understands the pressures on social workers to produce Ofsted-pleasing statistics, reach targets, and tick the boxes required for inspections: The graces are about process, not procedure. Authority 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. inherent power asymmetry in social work can lead to worker uncertainty at best, and a toxic and abusive culture at worst. If you cannot sign in, please contact your librarian. 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. Select your institution from the list provided, which will take you to your institution's website to sign in. Have you ever been rejected from a job application solely based on your surname? 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. How to use the Graces as a time-pressed social worker. The context for sharing information and the commitment on completing agreed-upon tasks also affects the boundary of the relationship. Alongside these developments, there has been a proliferation of models of practice, such as cognitive behavioural and solution-focused therapy, associated with the burgeoning What works? and evidence-based agendas (McNeish et al., 2002). In prioritising connection over separation, the complexity of this relationship-centred approach to professional boundaries cannot be underestimated, nor can its potentially transformative qualities. Published by Oxford University Press on behalf of The British Association of Social Workers. Similar references concerning professional boundaries can be seen in codes of ethics around the world (National American Association of Social Workers (NAASW), 2009; Australian Association of Social Workers (AASW), 2010; Hong Kong Social Workers Registration Board (HKSWRB), 2009). In the hierarchy of health professions, doctors have traditionally defended their professional autonomy and independence and . Integral to these traditional models are professional boundaries that separate the professional from the client and concentrate on what the boundary is, rather than why it is needed and how it is created. Power imbalances exist in a social setting, that is, when there are asymmetrical relations of power among persons, institutions or states. But is it a central part of good practice or an empty word? If you believe you should have access to that content, please contact your librarian. Research conducted by Lee and Ayon (2004), for example, shows that the quality of the relationship between the social worker and the client is significantly related to better outcomes in child-protection cases, regardless of the model of intervention employed. More recently, social work theorists have become sensitive to the power imbalances and potential for discrimination and disempowerment in social work relationships that develop primarily as a result of trauma or adversity (Fook, 2002). Following successful sign in, you will be returned to Oxford Academic. When applied to social work practice, Marxist theory offers several implications. In developing this new model that optimises the boundaries of social work relationships, we are not advocating for the uncritical adoption of a post-structural interpretation of professional boundaries in social work. To be able to do this requires a relationship with the client in which the social worker is able to learn and acknowledge the influence of factors such as white privilege beyond an academic or clinical understanding into a direct personal integration (Gollan and O'Leary, 2009). Experience - our experience of the world, in a job, or in a particular area of life can give us power over another. Boundaries, therefore, need to be set to clarify the scope of the relationship and the type of exchange that would promote desired outcomes (Doel, 2010). In addition, post-structural and feminist theorists have challenged the various epistemological assumptions of social work (Mandell, 2008). Social workers are often proponents of specific models, claiming that they are highly effective and closely compatible with the aims of social work. Figure2 illustrates our conceptual model and gives examples of issues that fit within and outside the professional boundary. 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. Power also exists in the form of the client. What Reamer (2003) fails to address is how these protocols might be ethically and inclusively constructed to meaningfully incorporate the clients' perspectives. These disciplinary practices are ways by which power is exercised throughout society, often manifesting in social relationship. Social work is at the forefront of professions that address the ontological need for relationships and respond to the breakdowns of personal and societal relationships. Contemporary social work theory already is aligned to the dynamic model that we have proposed. Managing this delicate process has been conceptualised as maintaining professional distance, premised on the belief that a psycho-social separation will encourage rational scientific objectivity. George Floyds last words, as he was murdered, will haunt us forever. I'm Angy. 5 Howick Place | London | SW1P 1WG. I have always been referred to by my first name at work; my dad, on the other hand, has been called by racist nicknames which have stuck. Countering this presumption, our positively orientated boundary-setting model, based on the creation of boundaries that establish connections within professional relationships, is more in keeping with the contemporary ethos of social work. However, in a comprehensive study conducted by Doel and his colleagues (2010), a clear majority of social workers relied on their own sense of what is appropriate or not, instead of the complicated code of ethics or formal guidelines, in many cases as big as a book, set by professional bodies. Ming-sum Tsui's research interests include: social work theory and practice, social work education, supervision and professional development, and substance abuse. 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. On January 1st 2020, if you had asked the average social worker whether they operated in a fair and just society, the resounding answer would have been no. By adopting a connected, inclusive, reflective and participatory approach to the creation of boundaries, it is possible for the visible and invisible, individual and structural dynamics and dimensions of professional relationships to be held in a creative tension. Return to Article Details Issues of power in social work practice in mental health services for people from Black and minority ethnic groups Issues of power in social . When Does Resilience Become Epistemic Injustice? The model emphasises connection rather than separation, advocating a process that encourages mutuality. If your institution is not listed or you cannot sign in to your institutions website, please contact your librarian or administrator. Attempt the above exercise with the grace you feel the least drawn toward. To learn about our use of cookies and how you can manage your cookie settings, please see our Cookie Policy. Given this changing practice landscape and the recognised shortcomings of traditional notions of professional boundaries, conceptualising boundaries in social work contexts that are conducive to these emergent professional purposes is a timely and important undertaking. It emphasises the dynamic nature of boundary setting that reflects changes within the professional relationship over time and acknowledges the interplay of both visible dimensions of the relationship and the less visible, unconscious dynamics that are recognised through the practitioner's reflective processes. As someone who is dual-heritage, but cloaked in white privilege due to my light skin tone, I am painfully aware of power differentials in terms of ethnicity; I have, throughout my life, been given different treatment to other family members. Whilst certain aspects of the professional relationship are non-negotiablesexual relations, for example, being outside of the solid outer boundarymost aspects are open to discussion, require sensitive, context-specific responses and need to be understood as an on-going process requiring renegotiation, throughout the duration of professional involvement, as opposed to being founded on a static, immutable contract. In a group setting, or in pairs, attempt to roleplay the social graces from different perspectives. Having the capacity to think on your feet is an important skill for social workers to acquire if the proposed model is to be effective. The social workers usually accept this money but inform the management and the clients that the money will be put into the fund for the seniors' leisure activities. Clients have no role, or a very minimal role, in the formulation of these professional codes of ethics even though they are the group most affected. In the past decade, the emergence in many Western nations of an increasingly risk-averse political climate, with its concomitant managerialist strategies, has played a significant part in the defensive and distancing configuration of professional relationships (Broadhurst et al., 2010). conflict. Although I thought I understood at that time, my experiences as a qualified social worker has further emphasised the importance, and recently, I've been reflecting on it a lot. Choose one of the graces you are drawn toward. Originally, the pneumonic was arranged as disgraces to highlight the fact that such inequalities were disgraceful, but it was feared this could be rather off-putting. In addition, many social work profes- Restore content access for purchases made as guest, 48 hours access to article PDF & online version. I cant breathe, he said. He began to use language such as Sir, addressing those who harmed him as though they were his superiors. Race, power and privilege. This essay "Power Dynamics and Social Work" discusses the power of social workers, which are developed through their professional function, social role and interaction with clients. However, accepting the offer of an alcoholic drink may violate certain ethical assumptions. Understand the purpose of professional supervision in health and social care or children or young people work settings 1.1 Analyse the principles, scope and purpose of professional supervision I am going to analyse the principles, scope and purpose of supervisions. 16763. A definition of the specific nature and boundaries of the social work relationship is absent in social work literature (Chu et al., 2009; Coady, 1993; Petr, 1983; Proctor, 1982). View the institutional accounts that are providing access. Social workers often grapple with difficult professional and systemic power dynamics with both service users and the other professionals they encounter in multi-agency working. The institutional subscription may not cover the content that you are trying to access. This can be attributed, in part, to the ineffable nature of relationship, despite ongoing efforts to present scientific evidence of its effectiveness (Coady, 1993). Well, thats simply not true. A central characteristic of the proposed model is the recognition of the reciprocal nature of the connected professional relationship. as part of their professional training (p. xiii).
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