Interdependence, Attachment and Positive Contribution: why relationships matter in strengths based practice

In a Social Care assessment, if a person has eligible needs identified, then the worker considers what, from the person’s assets and strengths can be drawn upon  in order to meet those needs. The Worker is encouraged to consider assets first, services last thus preventing, reducing or delaying the need for perhaps more formalised input… Read More

Thoughts on Strengths-based approaches

I am passionate about strengths-based approaches to social work practice, so much so that I have dedicated my doctoral research project to studying this field. I hope that my work will help to shape the development of systems and structures that support real strengths-based working across adult services. But what do I mean when I… Read More

Stories about social work…

The human ability to tell stories is perhaps our most important characteristic. As Mary Catherine Bateson said: “The human species thinks in metaphors and learns through stories.” Stories allow us to share understandings, emotions and motivations. They allow us to cooperate on a scale no other animal can – through shared stories about nations or… Read More