Getting to grips with theory: Social Learning Theory
I can’t help but think of this poem when I think about Social Learning Theory because I think it says what it is perfectly…. From the immense poet Philip Larkin – This Be...
Theory? Huh!?
There is no way to approach theory other than to be critical of it. I mean, you’ve got to understand it first before you can be critical of it. So, you have to...
Power & Autonomy
When we think of power, we usually think of hierarchical power exercised over us by those in certain positions. There is also power in culture. Harari, in his book Sapiens, says cultures have typical...
Social Care, Risk, COVID and True Uncertainty
The understanding and assessment of risk for social workers is as important as it is challenging. The current COVID pandemic has brought risk into the public spotlight with social care (and everyone...
Resilience – dirty word?
It sometimes feels like resilience is a dirty word. Whispered in hushed tones in corridors in case over heard. Or spoken out loud as a rallying call to try harder and be...
Empathy, Sympathy and Compassion
“Empathy Is Walking A Mile In Somebody Else’s Moccasins. Sympathy Is Being Sorry Their Feet Hurt”. (Rebecca O’Donnell) The nature of our work as social workers, (or any caring profession for that matter) is...
The Merchant of Venice and Critical Thinking
Was Shylock in Shakespeare’s Merchant of Venice making a critical decision that was necessary and proportionate, when he was demanding his pound of flesh? Let me give you a brief rundown on...
Dr Dan Siegel’s Hand Model of the Brain
George Bull, Social Worker at the Connected Carers Team South Tyneside, explores Dr. Dan Siegal’s hand model of the brain and its use in social work practice. In the Solution Focussed Therapy...
To be or not to be? Did Hamlet have the Mental Capacity to make that decision?
If the Mental Capacity Act was law in Denmark in the fourteen hundred’s would poor Hamlet have been able to make the decision, to be or not to be? Let’s explore the...
Who IS to blame….?
The Guardian this morning (August 1st 2019) reports that social workers are being blamed for their own stress and burnout. You can read the article here.There are some very damning statistics in...