THE MORAL SENSITIVITY OF SOCIAL WORKERS

Some preliminary research outcomes

ENSACT Conference (Istanbul 18-04-2013)

Ed de JongeUAS Utrecht Netherlandsed.dejonge@hu.nl

CONCLUSION (cf. Socrates)

Cooperation in ethical research

by teachers/researchers and

students/practitioners can be an

excellent way of teaching and learning

INTRODUCTION: research

Main objective: improving the moral expertise of (ambulatory) social workers, and thereby the moral quality and effectiveness of social work practice

Cooperation (co-financed by SIA-RAAK): Research group: innovation of social work; subgroup: moral

decision making (UAS Utrecht Netherlands) Six regional welfare organizations (Cumulus, Leger des

Heils, LSG Rentray, Sherpa, Stade, Zonnehuizen)

Duration: 1 year of preparation (2011-2012) 2 years of research (2012-2014) NB: continuation of cooperation

MORAL EXPERTISE: research outset

Improving moral expertise presupposes knowing what moral expertise is

Main research activities Literature search Lots of (informal) discussions Conceptualization

Outcome: learned ignorance (cf. Socrates) We do not know exactly just what moral expertise is, but we are convinced that at least 5 elements are important

MORAL EXPERTISE: 5 elements

Identity (being): professional and personal, values and virtues, moral consciousness, self care

Motivation (wanting): inspiration, passion, calling, commitment

Sensitivity (sensing): emotions, intuitions, instincts

Frames of reference (thinking): vocabulary, notions, concepts, theories, viewpoints

Skills (doing): imagination, reflection, discussion, deciding, justifying, self management

MORAL SENSITIVITY

Intention: developing a practice based theory (cf. Socratic midwifery)

Method: cooperation of 3 researchers and 12 practitioners

Activities: Reflective writing: describing a moral issue Reflective writing: noticing the moral dimension Synthesizing: first draft Reading: correct and complete? Discussion: amendments Etc. (version 3)

MORAL SENSITIVITY: reported aspects

Failure of expertise (cf. professional wisdom) Failure of judgment: good, values, rules, virtues, interests,

alternatives, consequences Failure of decision making Failure of taking actions

Emotionally being moved Basic emotions: restlessness, discomfort, anxiety, irritation,

ambivalence Signalling emotions: worries, fear, suspicion, anger Secondary emotions: guilt, uncertainty, failure,

disappointment, sadness, pain, desperateness

MORAL SENSITIVITY: aspects of ethics work

Professional nature of emotionally being moved Self-consciousness Reflection Self directing

Preconditions for moral sensitivity Taking responsibility for the situation Being open to the situation Having real contact with the client(s)

MORAL SENSITIVITY: positive side effects of research

Professionalization and empowerment of practitioners:

Becoming more aware of their own moral expertise and the complexity of it

Being able to make more consciously use of several elements of their moral expertise in their work

Being able to speak and discuss about moral issues more in connexion to themselves as professionals and as persons

Becoming a role model in their professional team

CONCLUSION (cf. Socrates)

Cooperation in ethical research

by teachers/researchers and

students/practitioners can be an

excellent way of teaching and learning

COMMERCIAL BREAK

Do you believe that 1 + 1 = 3?

Have you always wanted to

cooperate in ethical research?

Please contact us:

ed.dejonge@hu.nl

For sharing knowledge

is multiplying knowledge!

SOCRATIC QUESTION

Concerning moral sensitivity:

Can social workers be too sensitive?