Strengths-based practice

Welcome to Learn on the go, a Community Care Inform podcast where we discuss what the latest research, practice models and policy guidance mean to your practice. In this episode, we discuss strengths-based practice: what it is, how it can be used in social work and some of the criticisms of it. The experts Lyn Romeo Chief social worker for adults. Elaine Aspinwall-Roberts Senior lecturer in social work at Liverpool John Moores University. The podcast is presented by Ruth Hardy, assistant content editor at Community Care Inform. 0.00 – 05:19 Lyn and Elaine discuss what strengths-based practice is and whether it is different to asset-based practice. 14:40 – 20:50 Is strengths-based practice just a way for local authorities to save money? Lyn and Elaine discuss whether it could lead to restricted access to services. 20:59 – 23:59 Using a strengths-based approach in your practice: what questions to ask and what skills you need. References Cole, A (2016) The 'three conversations' model: turning away from long-term care The Guardian Department of Health (2017) Strengths-based social work practice with adults Gray, M (2011) 'Back to Basics: A Critique of the Strengths Perspective in Social Work' Families in Society: The Journal of Contemporary Social Services, Volume 92, Issue 1, pp5-11 Graybeal, C (2001) 'Strengths-Based Social Work Assessment: Transforming the Dominant Paradigm' Families in Society: The Journal of Contemporary Social Services, Volume 82, Issue 3, pp233-242 Graybeal, C (2007) 'Evidence for the Art of Social Work' Families in Society: The Journal of Contemporary Social Services, Volume 88, Issue 4, pp513-524 McGovern, J (2015) "Living Better With Dementia: Strengths-Based Social Work Practice and Dementia Care" Social Work in Health Care, Volume 54, Issue 5, pp408-421 Oliver, C and Charles, G (2016) 'Enacting Firm, Fair and Friendly Practice: A Model for Strengths-Based Child Protection Relationships?' The British Journal of Social Work, Volume 46, Issue 4, pp1009-1026 Pattoni, L (2012) Strengths-based approaches for working with individuals Iriss Saleebey, D (ed) (2012, 6th edn) The Strengths Perspective in Social Work Practice London: Pearson Slasberg, C and Beresford, P (2017) 'Strengths-based practice: social care’s Elixir or the next false dawn?' Disability and Society, Volume 32, Issue 2, pp269-273 Smith, S; Dressel, J and Brannan, J (2018) 'The Solution-Focused Approach' In: Lishman, J; Yuill, C; Brannan, J and Gibson, A (eds) Social Work: An Introduction (2018, 2nd edn) Song, L and Shih, C (2010) 'Recovery from partner abuse: the application of the strengths perspective' International Journal of Social Welfare, Volume 19, Issue 1, pp23-32