Applying the capability approach in social work education

Abstract

The capability approach is useful in assessing the well-being of clients. In this study, social work students utilised this approach during a class exercise. Each student selected one client from their practice education and presented the data in the form of a vignette. A qualitative study of an exploratory and descriptive nature was undertaken. The goal of the study was to provide a theoretical overview on the capability approach and to explore how third-year social work students could apply this approach in social work education when assessing the well-being of their clients. The participants were able to indicate aspects in their clients’ lives that were not conducive to their general well-being, but could also provide suggestions where functioning and well-being could improve. Five vignettes were chosen from the data, representing the main challenges clients faced. It was concluded that the capability approach could be used by the students to good effect in social work education when assessing the well-being of their clients. Future research into the utilisation of the capability approach in social work education could be done, to better equip students for their practice education.

Keywords:

• Capability approach
• qualitative study
• conversion factors
• well-being
• functionings
• capabilities
• agency
• aspirations