Using theories II 2009 Assignment guide Malcolm Golightley

Aims To go over the basic thinking that lies behind the assignment questions To go over the basic thinking that lies behind the assignment questions To provide another guide to completing the assignment To provide another guide to completing the assignment To give you the opportunity to ask for clarification of the task To give you the opportunity to ask for clarification of the task

A reminder! The intention is that on completion of this unit you will be able to: Recognise and identify alternative theoretical perspectives on rational practice. Recognise and identify alternative theoretical perspectives on rational practice. Demonstrate knowledge and understanding of both the emergence and development of rationality as a key intellectual strategy of modern society. Demonstrate knowledge and understanding of both the emergence and development of rationality as a key intellectual strategy of modern society. Critically examine professional practice and its justification. Critically examine professional practice and its justification. Critically examine the claims for knowledge in both Modernity and Postmodernity Critically examine the claims for knowledge in both Modernity and Postmodernity

The assignment The unit will be assessed by one 3,000 word essay by addressing : It is possible to examine the development of social work in terms of a variety of influences but what do these mean for the future of social work as a profession? You should discuss this in relation to the criteria and at least one of the following: The unit will be assessed by one 3,000 word essay by addressing : It is possible to examine the development of social work in terms of a variety of influences but what do these mean for the future of social work as a profession? You should discuss this in relation to the criteria and at least one of the following: 1) A critical appraisal of the capacity of National and Local Performance Indicators to represent the efficacy of social work practice 1) A critical appraisal of the capacity of National and Local Performance Indicators to represent the efficacy of social work practice 2) A critical evaluation of theoretical accounts that best explain what social work is and which best inform your practice 2) A critical evaluation of theoretical accounts that best explain what social work is and which best inform your practice 3) A critique of the view that Radical Social Work was always just a fantasy and certainly very difficult to do in practice, particularly in the light of the political context since the 1980s. 3) A critique of the view that Radical Social Work was always just a fantasy and certainly very difficult to do in practice, particularly in the light of the political context since the 1980s. In answering this question you need to address the sources of knowledge, the impact of post modernity and modernism and alternatives to rational practice. Your work should reflect the justification for professional practice. In answering this question you need to address the sources of knowledge, the impact of post modernity and modernism and alternatives to rational practice. Your work should reflect the justification for professional practice. You work must include reference to Sheppard and at least four peer reviewed journal articles. You work must include reference to Sheppard and at least four peer reviewed journal articles.

Make sure you answer the question! Understand what each question means in the context of this assignment. Understand what each question means in the context of this assignment. Good starting point is to look at what social work does, how it arose and the situation now. Good starting point is to look at what social work does, how it arose and the situation now. knowledge in both Modernity and Postmodernity knowledge in both Modernity and Postmodernity rationality as a key intellectual strategy of modern society. rationality as a key intellectual strategy of modern society. alternative theoretical perspectives on rational practice. alternative theoretical perspectives on rational practice. professional practice and its justification as a discipline. professional practice and its justification as a discipline.

Sapere Aude We want to know what you think in other words there is room for you to be creative We want to know what you think in other words there is room for you to be creative We want to hear your voice as the professionals of the future We want to hear your voice as the professionals of the future Just make sure it is reasoned and supported-there is no right answer!!! Just make sure it is reasoned and supported-there is no right answer!!!

Social work? Example of technical rationality? Example of technical rationality? What is the social dimension? What is the social dimension? What knowledge base does social work draw upon? What knowledge base does social work draw upon? Does social work have any enduring themes? Does social work have any enduring themes? Is social work a technical activity or a profession with a claim to a discipline in it own right? Is social work a technical activity or a profession with a claim to a discipline in it own right? Is Illichs view valid –disabling professions? Is Illichs view valid –disabling professions?

Where does our knowledge come from? Enlightenment - rationality was adopted as the philosophical method of the Enlightenment with its promise of liberation from the dogmas of religion and such progress should serve the interests of freedom and liberation. (Grayling AC-What is Good p143-14) Enlightenment - rationality was adopted as the philosophical method of the Enlightenment with its promise of liberation from the dogmas of religion and such progress should serve the interests of freedom and liberation. (Grayling AC-What is Good p143-14) Modernism - the arrival of the idea of knowledge based practice-supposes that social work has a way of viewing the world that is superior, in relevant areas to those who who do not have access to that knowledge base. Modernism - the arrival of the idea of knowledge based practice-supposes that social work has a way of viewing the world that is superior, in relevant areas to those who who do not have access to that knowledge base. Post Modernism- we have moved beyond modernism with the emphasis moving away from universal truths to a lack of confidence about the key role of science to a more fragmented view of the world and acceptance that the calculation of risk is the basis for action. No one persons knowledge is better than another's? Post Modernism- we have moved beyond modernism with the emphasis moving away from universal truths to a lack of confidence about the key role of science to a more fragmented view of the world and acceptance that the calculation of risk is the basis for action. No one persons knowledge is better than another's?

rationality Rationality Rationality An orientation to reality which weighs up the means and ends of action in a straightforward and pragmatic manner. An orientation to reality which weighs up the means and ends of action in a straightforward and pragmatic manner. Formal Rationality Formal Rationality A type of decision making which is subject to calculation that goes into an action to increase its chance of success. Its decisive feature is that it eliminates an orientation to values because they are non-technical. Rationality is formal when problems are solved by the application of technical criteria. A type of decision making which is subject to calculation that goes into an action to increase its chance of success. Its decisive feature is that it eliminates an orientation to values because they are non-technical. Rationality is formal when problems are solved by the application of technical criteria. Substantive Rationality Substantive Rationality A type of decision making which is subject to values and an appeal to ethical norms. Substantive rationality does not take into account the nature of outcomes. A type of decision making which is subject to values and an appeal to ethical norms. Substantive rationality does not take into account the nature of outcomes. Weber argues that formal rationality had replaced substantive rationality, because bureaucracy stresses a technical orientation to means and ends. This is the origins of technical rationality Weber argues that formal rationality had replaced substantive rationality, because bureaucracy stresses a technical orientation to means and ends. This is the origins of technical rationality

Rationality and Social work Managerial technicality -managerial control vis-à-vis professional autonomy. Government appears to want professional accountability to rise yet wants performance indicators to rule! Managerial technicality -managerial control vis-à-vis professional autonomy. Government appears to want professional accountability to rise yet wants performance indicators to rule! Technical instrumentalism -control by procedure or rule creating the effect that social workers are just technicians Technical instrumentalism -control by procedure or rule creating the effect that social workers are just technicians Routinising of the tasks -the rise of competence check lists-creates impression that jobs can be reduced in complexity and done by less qualified and lower paid workforce Routinising of the tasks -the rise of competence check lists-creates impression that jobs can be reduced in complexity and done by less qualified and lower paid workforce Risk management – hierarchy of rules or thresholds Risk management – hierarchy of rules or thresholds

Who do social workers work with? Central anchor is social exclusion- social work is at the space between the marginalised and the mainstream Central anchor is social exclusion- social work is at the space between the marginalised and the mainstream Social construction of social work-the relationship between the expert and the service user (expert by experience) Social construction of social work-the relationship between the expert and the service user (expert by experience) Interdisciplinary work-where is our unique knowledge base? Interdisciplinary work-where is our unique knowledge base?

alternative theoretical perspectives on rational practice. Is social work a science or an art form Is social work a science or an art form What do social workers do? What do social workers do? Is social work art? If so what part does intuition, interpretivism and wisdom play? Is social work art? If so what part does intuition, interpretivism and wisdom play? Is social work science. If so how adequate is evidence based practice? Is it largely a tool of management to ration scarce resources? Is it a series of technical activities and reduced to ticking of competencies?Are risks now the name of the game and as such a matter for experts and thus for scientific legitimation? Has regulation penetrated every aspect of organisational life? Is social work science. If so how adequate is evidence based practice? Is it largely a tool of management to ration scarce resources? Is it a series of technical activities and reduced to ticking of competencies?Are risks now the name of the game and as such a matter for experts and thus for scientific legitimation? Has regulation penetrated every aspect of organisational life? Is being wise practitioner really your goal? Is being wise practitioner really your goal? Is it all common sense? Is it all common sense?

Justification for professional practice? Is social work the opiate of the people? Is social work the opiate of the people? Does industrialisation and hence the modern world need a professional workforce to deal with the casualties of society? Does industrialisation and hence the modern world need a professional workforce to deal with the casualties of society? Has the increased fragmentation of society resulted in family patterns changing? Has the increased fragmentation of society resulted in family patterns changing? Has the public become private and private become public? Has the public become private and private become public?

professional practice and its justification. Why a profession and not a technical activity? What are the common points across all professions? Length of training, university led, recognised knowledge base, legally protected title and self regulation? Contrast this with other occupations e.g Police Officer; Probation Officer, draughtsman. Why a profession and not a technical activity? What are the common points across all professions? Length of training, university led, recognised knowledge base, legally protected title and self regulation? Contrast this with other occupations e.g Police Officer; Probation Officer, draughtsman. What is social works territory? social work has a practice paradigm and is practice led-does this make social work distinctive? What is social works territory? social work has a practice paradigm and is practice led-does this make social work distinctive? Code of Practice- how we behave is down to us within a framework of behaviours that covers both personal and professional aspects-the start of self- regulation (hallmark of a profession) Code of Practice- how we behave is down to us within a framework of behaviours that covers both personal and professional aspects-the start of self- regulation (hallmark of a profession)

Morality and modernity If the foundations of modernity are based upon new ways of thinking what is it that provides the reference point for our morality? If the foundations of modernity are based upon new ways of thinking what is it that provides the reference point for our morality? The development of modern society entailed the risk of moral impoverishment….the inevitable decline of unquestioned faith eroded a source which could provide foundations for moral behaviour. (Peter Wagner p 33 in Webb S(2006) Social Work in a Risk Society, Palgrave) The development of modern society entailed the risk of moral impoverishment….the inevitable decline of unquestioned faith eroded a source which could provide foundations for moral behaviour. (Peter Wagner p 33 in Webb S(2006) Social Work in a Risk Society, Palgrave) Post modernity allows for the self cancellation of imposed values and standards. Post modernity allows for the self cancellation of imposed values and standards. But…is social work permeated with a strong sense of ethics? But…is social work permeated with a strong sense of ethics? Will technical expertise and actuarial science come to dominate social work training? Will technical expertise and actuarial science come to dominate social work training? Where is the sense of duty? Where is the sense of duty?

A discipline? What are the defining characteristics of a discipline?-a discipline is an academic form describing an area of knowledge which is its concern and there must be elements beyond merely responding to policy changes and initiatives? Practice led - whatever knowledge we use must be consistent with practice (unlike theory driven disciplines) e.g task centred casework,systems theory What are the defining characteristics of a discipline?-a discipline is an academic form describing an area of knowledge which is its concern and there must be elements beyond merely responding to policy changes and initiatives? Practice led - whatever knowledge we use must be consistent with practice (unlike theory driven disciplines) e.g task centred casework,systems theory Practice Paradigm - a paradigm is like a world view-if social is a discipline there must be a commonality of perspective.This has three elements: Practice Paradigm - a paradigm is like a world view-if social is a discipline there must be a commonality of perspective.This has three elements: 1.core of objectivism-unlike a postmodernist perspective- social work has an agreed focus e.g. child protection or mental health-agreed values 1.core of objectivism-unlike a postmodernist perspective- social work has an agreed focus e.g. child protection or mental health-agreed values 2.limited voluntarism- social workers must have some autonomy in respect of key aspects e.g. decision making 2.limited voluntarism- social workers must have some autonomy in respect of key aspects e.g. decision making 3. Consensus view of society-social work operates at a micro social level-not about changing the world but help people to better manage their lives 3. Consensus view of society-social work operates at a micro social level-not about changing the world but help people to better manage their lives

So far so good! Now you need to pick at least one of the three themes and weave that into your assignment Now you need to pick at least one of the three themes and weave that into your assignment A critical appraisal of the capacity of National and Local Performance Indicators to represent the efficacy of social work practice A critical appraisal of the capacity of National and Local Performance Indicators to represent the efficacy of social work practice We looked at this in detail last week-is managerialism the enemy of professionalism? What is wrong with trying to be more productive anyway? Does managerialism stem from science and hence is the son of modernism? We looked at this in detail last week-is managerialism the enemy of professionalism? What is wrong with trying to be more productive anyway? Does managerialism stem from science and hence is the son of modernism?

2 nd theme A critical evaluation of theoretical accounts that best explain what social work is and which best inform your practice A critical evaluation of theoretical accounts that best explain what social work is and which best inform your practice This could be actual methods of intervention or theoretical texts that have influenced you or grand theory. What is theory anyway? Does theory stem from the search for what works and perhaps from science? What is theory in a post modern world? This could be actual methods of intervention or theoretical texts that have influenced you or grand theory. What is theory anyway? Does theory stem from the search for what works and perhaps from science? What is theory in a post modern world?

3 rd theme A critique of the view that Radical Social Work was always just a fantasy and certainly very difficult to do in practice, particularly in the light of the political context since the 1980s. A critique of the view that Radical Social Work was always just a fantasy and certainly very difficult to do in practice, particularly in the light of the political context since the 1980s. Why is it difficult in practice-what does this tell you about the context or locations where social work is practised? Who has determined the social work education curricula? What is the role of the GSCC? Why is it difficult in practice-what does this tell you about the context or locations where social work is practised? Who has determined the social work education curricula? What is the role of the GSCC?

Conclusions Chose your assignment carefully Chose your assignment carefully There is no one way to answer There is no one way to answer We want to hear your voice We want to hear your voice Use the assignment guide Use the assignment guide Read the journal articles Read the journal articles Fix up a tutorial next week with your seminar tutor if that will help. Fix up a tutorial next week with your seminar tutor if that will help.