How can a social worker assess the risk that an older person with dementia faces? How would a nurse or housing support worker decide on the balance between danger and safety? In cases of potentially serious harm, as in the examples of abused children or sex offenders, can risk taking work? In this book, the author offers a model of risk work in health and social care. He argues that a thoughtful risk-taking approach can lead to empowerment and greater independence for vulnerable individuals. The author explores the dilemmas frequently faced when working with older people, homeless persons, and people with physical or learning disabilities or with mental illness, and proposes a systematic framework for assessing and managing the risks involved. He also discusses contemporary theories and definitions of risk, and identifies the essential skills needed by professionals, with an emphasis on developing creative approaches to practice.
How can a social worker assess the risk that an older person with dementia faces? How would a nurse or housing support worker decide on the balance between danger and safety? In cases of potentially serious harm, as in the examples of abused children or sex offenders, can risk taking work? In this book, the author offers a model of risk work in health and social care. He argues that a thoughtful risk-taking approach can lead to empowerment and greater independence for vulnerable individuals. The author explores the dilemmas frequently faced when working with older people, homeless persons, and people with physical or learning disabilities or with mental illness, and proposes a systematic framework for assessing and managing the risks involved. He also discusses contemporary theories and definitions of risk, and identifies the essential skills needed by professionals, with an emphasis on developing creative approaches to practice.
Subject terms:
homeless people, learning disabilities, mental health problems, models, older people, risk, social work methods, vulnerable adults, assessment, decision making;
Based on the direct experience of social work practitioners, this book has the specific aim of providing a critical and analytical exploration of contemporary issues in social work with adults. Each chapter is written by an expert in the field and they cover; personalisation: from consumer rights to human rights, working with older people: managing risk and promoting interdependence, the rising profile of informal care: modernisation and the future of carers’ services, assessment and practice in learning disability services, direct payments and older people: developing a framework for practice, transformation: a future for social work practice? The book forms part of a series of texts written to support social workers studying for post qualifying awards. All are practical in their approach and link directly to the national occupational standards and the General Social Care Council requirements for Post Qualifying Social Work education. This book is also expected to be a useful resource for those completing the Consolidation and Preparation for Specialist Practice (CPSP) programmes.
Based on the direct experience of social work practitioners, this book has the specific aim of providing a critical and analytical exploration of contemporary issues in social work with adults. Each chapter is written by an expert in the field and they cover; personalisation: from consumer rights to human rights, working with older people: managing risk and promoting interdependence, the rising profile of informal care: modernisation and the future of carers’ services, assessment and practice in learning disability services, direct payments and older people: developing a framework for practice, transformation: a future for social work practice? The book forms part of a series of texts written to support social workers studying for post qualifying awards. All are practical in their approach and link directly to the national occupational standards and the General Social Care Council requirements for Post Qualifying Social Work education. This book is also expected to be a useful resource for those completing the Consolidation and Preparation for Specialist Practice (CPSP) programmes.
Subject terms:
informal care, learning disabilities, older people, personalisation, rights, risk management, social work, social work approaches, social work methods, vulnerable adults, safeguarding adults, adult social care, assessment, direct payments;
Wolf Wolfensberger is a significant figure in the world of human services, especially in the field of learning disability. His work on normalization and citizen advocacy in the late 1960s and early 1970s has been acknowledged by supporters and critics alike to have been fundamental to developments in a number of countries, most notably the USA. Canada, Australasia and the UK. The term citizen advocacy was coined in the 1970's by Wolfensberger, who believed that people in institutional care needed independent representation by people in their communities if they were ever going to experience normal living. His further work in developing the theory of social role valorization, the successor to normalisation, and as a commentator on broader trends in society and their effects on vulnerable people and services for them have ensured his place as a major voice for values and the human worth of all people.
Wolf Wolfensberger is a significant figure in the world of human services, especially in the field of learning disability. His work on normalization and citizen advocacy in the late 1960s and early 1970s has been acknowledged by supporters and critics alike to have been fundamental to developments in a number of countries, most notably the USA. Canada, Australasia and the UK. The term citizen advocacy was coined in the 1970's by Wolfensberger, who believed that people in institutional care needed independent representation by people in their communities if they were ever going to experience normal living. His further work in developing the theory of social role valorization, the successor to normalisation, and as a commentator on broader trends in society and their effects on vulnerable people and services for them have ensured his place as a major voice for values and the human worth of all people.
Subject terms:
learning disabilities, self-advocacy, role playing, social work, social care provision, social work methods, social work theories, stereotyped attitudes, vulnerable adults, advocacy, empowerment;
Practice: Social Work in Action, 9(3), 1997, pp.45-58.
Publisher:
Taylor and Francis
Over recent years many Social Services Departments have tended towards specialist teams and away from genericism. This article describes a pilot post of social worker
Over recent years many Social Services Departments have tended towards specialist teams and away from genericism. This article describes a pilot post of social worker
Subject terms:
HIV AIDS, homeless people, homelessness, interagency cooperation, learning disabilities, mental health problems, multidisciplinary services, performance evaluation, physical disabilities, social services, social work, social work methods, substance misuse, vulnerable adults, care management, community care;
This paper is based upon ideas developed by the authors during their past 6 years work on issues of sexuality and sexual abuse in a wide range of learning disability settings in Britain. Argues that some features of service design in themselves make sexual abuse more likely to occur. Suggests ways of reducing risk, which should work alongside the more usually suggested educative approaches to individuals and groups of vulnerable people.
This paper is based upon ideas developed by the authors during their past 6 years work on issues of sexuality and sexual abuse in a wide range of learning disability settings in Britain. Argues that some features of service design in themselves make sexual abuse more likely to occur. Suggests ways of reducing risk, which should work alongside the more usually suggested educative approaches to individuals and groups of vulnerable people.
Subject terms:
learning disabilities, rights, risk, service development, service users, sex offenders, sexual abuse, sexual offences, social work methods, vulnerable adults, adult abuse, advocacy, education;