Engaging with involuntary service users in social work
Involuntary users of social work include adults with mental health problems and learning disabilities, parents and children in the child protection system and people in the criminal justice system. Current policy in Scotland emphasises the need for increased participation of social work users in shaping services. However, this can be problematic with involuntary clients, who are often resistant to the very idea of social work involvement.
This one year project is designed to improve the capacity of local authorities to engage involuntary service users in social work. Involuntary service users are those mandated to use social work services by Court or other compulsory order
Researchers will review research relevant to this issue and organise a series of knowledge exchange events for social workers from local authorities in South East Scotland. The project will also involve research placements for social workers with academics at the University, including CRFR co-director Kay Tisdall and Professors Viv Cree and Bill Whyte from social work.
Project Aims:
- To highlight relevant research on user involvement, examples of innovative practice and lessons from unsuccessful approaches.
- Increase the skills and capacity of participating local authority staff to engage in small scale research and inquiry.
- Develop networks for effective knowledge exchange within and between partner local authorities and the University and to the wider social work community around the theme of working with involuntary service users.
More information: Flyer - Engaging with involuntary service users in social work (PDF, 655 KB)
http://www.socialwork.ed.ac.uk/__data/assets/pdf_file/0011/37874/engaging_briefing.pdf
Project contacts: Heather Wilkinson, University of Edinburgh h.wilkinson@ed.ac.uk and Michael Gallagher, University of Edinburgh michael.gallagher@ed.ac.uk
Lead Institution: University of Edinburgh
Project website: www.socialwork.ed.ac.uk/esla
Project partners: Fife Council, Scottish Borders Council, Midlothian Council, East Lothian Council, West Lothian Council, City of Edinburgh Council, Centre for Research on Families and Relationships.
