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‘Stumbling through’? Relationship-based social work practice in austere times
journal contribution
posted on 2023-06-09, 04:29 authored by Helen Hingley-Jones, Gillian RuchGillian RuchIn recent times relationship-based practice has become a familiar term in social work practice and education. Despite its widespread adoption, how relationship-based practice is understood varies widely. Drawing on contemporary conceptualisations of the child and family and individuals as psychosocial subjects experiencing social suffering, this paper explores how current social work practice can be understood in the context of neoliberalism and austerity. Setting these ideas in an historical context helps to inform our understanding as to why social work seems to be the focus of sustained political discontent and scrutiny, making it difficult to retain a balanced relationship-based professional stance. Contemporary responses to the current challenges of everyday practice are outlined and the contribution of psychodynamic and systemic ideas to promoting relationship-based practice is explored. The paper concludes by considering how the concept of social systems as defences against anxiety can inform our understanding of the resistance amongst practitioners to relationship-based practice and emphasises the importance of reflective spaces and places for developing and maintaining integrated, mature relational approaches to practice which impact on practice at both the individual casework and social structural level.
History
Publication status
- Published
File Version
- Accepted version
Journal
Journal of Social Work PracticeISSN
0265-0533Publisher
Taylor & FrancisExternal DOI
Issue
3Volume
30Page range
235-248Department affiliated with
- Social Work and Social Care Publications
Full text available
- Yes
Peer reviewed?
- Yes
Legacy Posted Date
2016-12-21First Open Access (FOA) Date
2017-12-07First Compliant Deposit (FCD) Date
2016-12-21Usage metrics
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