Using theories IIUsing theories II 2009 2009Assignment guideAssignment guide

Malcolm GolightleyMalcolm Golightley

AimsAims

To go over the basic thinking To go over the basic thinking that lies behind the assignment that lies behind the assignment questionsquestions

To provide another guide to To provide another guide to completing the assignmentcompleting the assignment

To give you the opportunity to To give you the opportunity to ask for clarification of the taskask for clarification of the task

A reminder!A reminder!

The intention is that on completion of this unit The intention is that on completion of this unit you will be able to:you will be able to:

Recognise and identify Recognise and identify alternative alternative theoreticaltheoretical perspectives on perspectives on rational rational practicepractice..

Demonstrate knowledge and Demonstrate knowledge and understanding of both the emergence and understanding of both the emergence and development of development of rationalityrationality as a as a keykey intellectual intellectual strategystrategy of modern society. of modern society.

Critically examine Critically examine professional practiceprofessional practice and and its justification.its justification.

Critically examine the claims for Critically examine the claims for knowledgeknowledge in both ‘in both ‘Modernity’ and ‘Postmodernity’ Modernity’ and ‘Postmodernity’

The assignmentThe assignment The unit will be assessed by one 3,000 word essay by The unit will be assessed by one 3,000 word essay by

addressingaddressing : :It is possible to examine the development of social It is possible to examine the development of social work in terms of a variety of influences but what do these mean work in terms of a variety of influences but what do these mean for the future of social work as a profession? You should for the future of social work as a profession? You should discuss this in relation to the criteria and at least one of the discuss this in relation to the criteria and at least one of the following: following: 

  1)  A critical appraisal of the capacity of National and Local 1)  A critical appraisal of the capacity of National and Local Performance Indicators to represent the efficacy of social work Performance Indicators to represent the efficacy of social work practice practice 

  2)  A critical evaluation of theoretical accounts that best explain 2)  A critical evaluation of theoretical accounts that best explain what social work is and which best inform your practice what social work is and which best inform your practice 

  3)  A critique of the view that Radical Social Work was always 3)  A critique of the view that Radical Social Work was always just a fantasy and certainly very difficult to do in practice, just a fantasy and certainly very difficult to do in practice, particularly in the light of the political context since the 1980sparticularly in the light of the political context since the 1980s. . 

In answering this question you need to address the In answering this question you need to address the sources of knowledge, the impact of post modernity sources of knowledge, the impact of post modernity and modernism and alternatives to rational practice. and modernism and alternatives to rational practice. Your work should reflect the justification for Your work should reflect the justification for professional practice.professional practice.

You work must include reference to Sheppard and You work must include reference to Sheppard and at least four peer reviewed journal articles.at least four peer reviewed journal articles.

Make sure you answer the Make sure you answer the question!question! Understand what each question means in Understand what each question means in

the context of this assignment.the context of this assignment. Good starting point is to look at what social Good starting point is to look at what social

work does, how it arose and the situation work does, how it arose and the situation now. now.

knowledgeknowledge in both ‘ in both ‘Modernity’ and ‘Postmodernity’ Modernity’ and ‘Postmodernity’ rationalityrationality as a as a keykey intellectual intellectual strategystrategy of modern of modern

society.society. alternative theoreticalalternative theoretical perspectives on perspectives on rational rational

practicepractice.. professional practiceprofessional practice and its justification as a and its justification as a

disciplinediscipline..

Sapere AudeSapere Aude

We want to know what you think We want to know what you think in other words there is room for in other words there is room for you to be creativeyou to be creative

We want to hear your voice as We want to hear your voice as the professionals of the futurethe professionals of the future

Just make sure it is reasoned Just make sure it is reasoned and supported-there is no right and supported-there is no right answer!!!answer!!!

Social work?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 What knowledge base does social

work draw upon?work draw upon? Does social work have any enduring Does social work have any enduring

themes?themes? Is social work a technical activity or a Is social work a technical activity or a

profession with a claim to a discipline profession with a claim to a discipline in it own right?in it own right?

Is Illich’s view valid –disabling Is Illich’s view valid –disabling professions?professions?

Where does our knowledge come Where does our knowledge come from?from? EnlightenmentEnlightenment--rationality was adopted as the rationality was adopted as the

philosophical method of the Enlightenment with its philosophical method of the Enlightenment with its promise of liberation from the dogmas of religion and promise of liberation from the dogmas of religion and such progress should serve the interests of freedom such progress should serve the interests of freedom and liberation. (Grayling AC-What is Good p143-14)and liberation. (Grayling AC-What is Good p143-14)

ModernismModernism--the arrival of the idea of knowledge the arrival of the idea of knowledge based practice-supposes that social work has a way of based practice-supposes that social work has a way of viewing the world that is superior, in relevant areas to viewing the world that is superior, in relevant areas to those who who do not have access to that knowledge those who who do not have access to that knowledge base.base.

Post Modernism-Post Modernism-we have moved beyond we have moved beyond modernism with the emphasis moving away from modernism with the emphasis moving away from universal truths to a lack of confidence about the key universal truths to a lack of confidence about the key role of science to a more fragmented view of the world role of science to a more fragmented view of the world and acceptance that the calculation of risk is the basis and acceptance that the calculation of risk is the basis for action. No one persons knowledge is better than for action. No one persons knowledge is better than another's?another's?

rationalityrationality Rationality Rationality

An orientation to reality which weighs up the means An orientation to reality which weighs up the means and ends of action in a straightforward and and ends of action in a straightforward and pragmatic manner. pragmatic manner.

Formal Rationality Formal Rationality A type of decision making which is subject to A type of decision making which is subject to

calculation that goes into an action to increase its calculation that goes into an action to increase its chance of success. Its decisive feature is that it chance of success. Its decisive feature is that it eliminates an orientation to values because they are eliminates an orientation to values because they are non-technical. Rationality is formal when problems non-technical. Rationality is formal when problems are solved by the application of technical criteria. are solved by the application of technical criteria.

Substantive Rationality Substantive Rationality A type of decision making which is subject to values A type of decision making which is subject to values

and an appeal to ethical norms. Substantive and an appeal to ethical norms. Substantive rationality does not take into account the nature of rationality does not take into account the nature of outcomes. outcomes.

Weber argues that formal rationality had replaced Weber argues that formal rationality had replaced substantive rationality, because bureaucracy stresses a substantive rationality, because bureaucracy stresses a technical orientation to means and ends. This is the technical orientation to means and ends. This is the origins of ‘technical rationalityorigins of ‘technical rationality

Rationality and Social workRationality and Social work

Managerial technicalityManagerial technicality-managerial control -managerial control vis-à-vis professional autonomy. Government vis-à-vis professional autonomy. Government appears to want professional accountability to rise appears to want professional accountability to rise yet wants performance indicators to rule!yet wants performance indicators to rule!

Technical instrumentalismTechnical instrumentalism-control by -control by procedure or rule creating the effect that social procedure or rule creating the effect that social workers are just techniciansworkers are just technicians

Routinising of the tasksRoutinising of the tasks-the rise of -the rise of competence check lists-creates impression that competence check lists-creates impression that jobs can be reduced in complexity and done by less jobs can be reduced in complexity and done by less qualified and lower paid workforcequalified and lower paid workforce

Risk management –Risk management –hierarchy of rules or hierarchy of rules or thresholdsthresholds

Who do social workers work with?Who do social workers work with?

Central anchor is social exclusion-Central anchor is social exclusion-social work is at the space between social work is at the space between the marginalised and the mainstreamthe marginalised and the mainstream

Social construction of social work-the Social construction of social work-the relationship between the expert and relationship between the expert and the service user (expert by the service user (expert by experience)experience)

Interdisciplinary work-where is our Interdisciplinary work-where is our unique knowledge base?unique knowledge base?

alternative theoreticalalternative theoretical perspectives on perspectives on rational practicerational practice..

Is social work a science or an art formIs social work a science or an art form What do social workers do?What do social workers do? Is social work Is social work artart? If so what part does intuition, ? If so what part does intuition,

interpretivism and wisdom play?interpretivism and wisdom play? Is social work Is social work science. science. If so how adequate is If so how adequate is

evidence based practiceevidence based practice? ? Is it largely a tool of Is it largely a tool of management to ration scarce resources? Is it a management to ration scarce resources? Is it a series of technical activities and reduced to ticking series of technical activities and reduced to ticking of competencies?Are risks now the name of the of competencies?Are risks now the name of the game and as such a matter for experts and thus for game and as such a matter for experts and thus for scientific legitimation? Has regulation penetrated scientific legitimation? Has regulation penetrated every aspect of organisational life?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 Justification for professional practice?practice? Is social work the opiate of the Is social work the opiate of the

people?people? Does industrialisation and hence the Does industrialisation and hence the

modern world need a professional modern world need a professional workforce to deal with the casualties workforce to deal with the casualties of society?of society?

Has the increased fragmentation of Has the increased fragmentation of society resulted in family patterns society resulted in family patterns changing?changing?

Has the public become private and Has the public become private and private become public?private become public?

professional practiceprofessional practice and its and its justification.justification.

Why a profession and not a technical Why a profession and not a technical activity?activity? What are the common points across all What are the common points across all professions? Length of training, university led, professions? Length of training, university led, recognised knowledge base, legally protected title recognised knowledge base, legally protected title and self regulation? Contrast this with other and self regulation? Contrast this with other occupations e.g Police Officer; Probation Officer, occupations e.g Police Officer; Probation Officer, draughtsman.draughtsman.

What is social work’s territoryWhat is social work’s territory??social work social work has a practice paradigm and is practice led-does has a practice paradigm and is practice led-does this make social work distinctive?this make social work distinctive?

Code of PracticeCode of Practice--how we behave is down to us how we behave is down to us within a framework of behaviours that covers both within a framework of behaviours that covers both personal and professional aspects-the start of self-personal and professional aspects-the start of self-regulation (hallmark of a profession)regulation (hallmark of a profession)

Morality and modernityMorality and modernity

If the foundations of modernity are based upon If the foundations of modernity are based upon new ways of thinking what is it that provides new ways of thinking what is it that provides the reference point for our morality?the reference point for our morality?

““The development of modern society entailed the risk of The development of modern society entailed the risk of moral impoverishment….the inevitable decline of moral impoverishment….the inevitable decline of unquestioned faith eroded a source which could provide unquestioned faith eroded a source which could provide foundations for moral behaviour”. (Peter Wagner p 33 in foundations for moral behaviour”. (Peter Wagner p 33 in Webb S(2006) Social Work in a Risk Society, Palgrave)Webb S(2006) Social Work in a Risk Society, Palgrave)

Post modernity allows for the self cancellation of imposed Post modernity allows for the self cancellation of imposed values and standards. values and standards.

But…is social work permeated with a strong sense of But…is social work permeated with a strong sense of ethics?ethics?

Will technical expertise and actuarial science come to Will technical expertise and actuarial science come to dominate social work training?dominate social work training?

Where is the sense of duty?Where is the sense of duty?

A discipline?A discipline? What are the defining characteristics of a disciplineWhat are the defining characteristics of a discipline?-?-a a

discipline is an academic form describing an area of discipline is an academic form describing an area of knowledge which is its concern and there must be knowledge which is its concern and there must be elements beyond merely responding to policy changes and elements beyond merely responding to policy changes and

initiatives?initiatives? Practice ledPractice led--whatever knowledge we use whatever knowledge we use must be consistent with practice (unlike theory driven must be consistent with practice (unlike theory driven disciplines) e.g task centred casework,systems theorydisciplines) e.g task centred casework,systems theory

Practice ParadigmPractice Paradigm--a paradigm is like a world view-if a paradigm is like a world view-if social is a discipline there must be a commonality of social is a discipline there must be a commonality of perspective.This has three elements:perspective.This has three elements:

1.1.core of core of objectivismobjectivism-unlike a postmodernist perspective--unlike a postmodernist perspective-social work has an agreed focus e.g. child protection or social work has an agreed focus e.g. child protection or mental health-agreed valuesmental health-agreed values

2.limited 2.limited voluntarism-voluntarism- social workers must have some social workers must have some autonomy in respect of key aspects e.g. decision makingautonomy in respect of key aspects e.g. decision making

3. 3. ConsensusConsensus view of society-social work operates at a view of society-social work operates at a micro social level-not about changing the world but help micro social level-not about changing the world but help people to better manage their livespeople to better manage their lives

So far so good!So far so good!

Now you need to pick at least one of Now you need to pick at least one of the three themes and weave that into the three themes and weave that into your assignmentyour assignment

  A critical appraisal of the capacity A critical appraisal of the capacity of National and Local Performance of National and Local Performance Indicators to represent the efficacy of Indicators to represent the efficacy of social work practice social work practice 

We looked at this in detail last week-is managerialism We looked at this in detail last week-is managerialism the enemy of professionalism? What is wrong with the enemy of professionalism? What is wrong with trying to be more productive anyway? Does trying to be more productive anyway? Does managerialism stem from science and hence is the managerialism stem from science and hence is the son of modernism?son of modernism?

22ndnd theme theme

  A critical evaluation of theoretical A critical evaluation of theoretical accounts that best explain what accounts that best explain what social work is and which best social work is and which best inform your practice inform your practice 

This could be actual methods of This could be actual methods of intervention or theoretical texts that intervention or theoretical texts that have influenced you or ‘grand theory. have influenced you or ‘grand theory. What is theory anyway? Does theory What is theory anyway? Does theory stem from the search for what works stem from the search for what works and perhaps from science? What is and perhaps from science? What is theory in a post modern world?theory in a post modern world?

33rdrd theme theme

A critique of the view that Radical A critique of the view that Radical Social Work was always just a Social Work was always just a fantasy and certainly very difficult fantasy and certainly very difficult to do in practice, particularly in to do in practice, particularly in the light of the political context the light of the political context since the 1980ssince the 1980s. . 

Why is it difficult in practice-what does this tell you Why is it difficult in practice-what does this tell you about the context or locations where social work is about the context or locations where social work is practised? Who has determined the social work practised? Who has determined the social work education curricula? What is the role of the GSCC?education curricula? What is the role of the GSCC?

ConclusionsConclusions

Chose your assignment carefullyChose your assignment carefully There is no one way to answerThere is no one way to answer We want to hear your voiceWe want to hear your voice Use the assignment guideUse the assignment guide Read the journal articlesRead the journal articles Fix up a tutorial next week with your Fix up a tutorial next week with your

seminar tutor if that will help.seminar tutor if that will help.