Service users and carers’ involvement in social work education: lessons from an English case study

Abstract

Within the larger context of the search to improve social work practice in Europe, this article presents a case study of a UK innovation in social work education with the potential to radically change social work practice. Following governmental requirements, Anglia Ruskin University has introduced systematic involvement of service users and carers in the training of a new undergraduate degree since September 2003. The conceptual and value base, the structure, staffing, and main activities are outlined; the main achievements and obstacles are highlighted. Mindful of the danger of slipping into tokenistic involvement, the project has included an action research evaluation component exploring the views of all the project's stakeholders thus establishing the project as an evidence-based educational innovation. The findings highlight the value of service users and carers’ involvement on the qualifying social work degree, of the action research design of the evaluation, and the steps needed for the cultural change required for such an involvement to become more comprehensive and embedded in the degree.

In contextul eforturilor de a imbunatati practica serviciilor sociale in Europa, acest articol prezinta studiul de caz al unei inovatii educationale britanice care ar putea schimba radical practica de asistenta sociala. In urma unor cerinte guvernamentale, din septembrie 2003 Anglia Ruskin University a introdus implicarea sistematica a beneficiarilor serviciilor sociale si a sustinatorilor lor in pregatirea profesionala a noilor asistenti sociali. Pentru a evita o incluziune tokenista, proiectul a inclus o componenta de cercetare-actiune pentru evaluarea opiniilor tuturor participantilor in project asadar bazand aceasta inovatie pe evidenta. Studiul a demonstrat valoarea implicarii beneficiarilor de servicii sociale in pregatirea profesionala a asistentilor sociali, precum si valoarea stilului participativ si democratic al cercetarii. Studiul a clarificat de asemenea pasii ce trebuie facuti pentru a crea schimbarea culturala necesara pentru ca acest tip de contributie sa devina parte integranta a cursului de Asistenta Sociala.

Keywords:

• service user and carer involvement
• social work education
• evaluation
• action research

Cuvinte cheie:

• implicarea beneficiarilor de servicii sociale si a sustinatorilor lor
• educatia de asistenta sociala
• evaluare
• cercetare-actiune

Acknowledgements

We would like to thank all the stakeholders involved in this project, and Chris Beckett for his contribution to the editing of the article.

Notes

1. Each of the four UK countries has a social care regulatory body: the General Social Care Council for England (GSCC), the Northern Ireland Social Care Council, the Scottish Social Services Council, and the Care Council for Wales.

2. Hereafter referred to as ARU.

3. The project has been implemented on three sites: the Anglia Ruskin Cambridge and Chelmsford campuses, and the City College Norwich, a partner institution.