Critical Reflections on Ethical Practice

Abstract

This paper critically reflects on a social work student placement experience at an Improving Access to Psychological Therapies (IAPT) service. It utilises ethical concepts to analyse the goals and working methods of the medical-dominated service alongside the professional and personal values taken to the role. Discussion focuses on the organisation's assessment process and use of Cognitive Behaviour Therapy (CBT), concluding that the utilitarian and managerialist principles embodied in their procedure conflict with anti-oppressive social work ethics. Particular attention is given to the role and power of a student including personal reflection on the social work methods used and how practice would be changed in the future.

Keywords:

• IAPT
• CBT
• social work ethics
• social work values
• student social worker

Notes

¹The name of the service user included in this document has been changed to respect confidentiality. The name of the service is not included.

Additional information

Notes on contributors

Lindsay Hobson

Lindsay Hobson was a student on the MA in Social Work course at Liverpool John Moores University, UK, from 2009 to 2011, and was runner-up for the postgraduate Jo Campling Prize in 2010