Hugh McLaughlin

Young service users as co-researchers: methodological problems and possibilities

This article explores some of the methodological challenges in working with young service users as co-researchers. The issues and concerns are highlighted using the national evaluation of the NSPCC’s Young People’s Centres as the vehicle for the discussion. In particular the article highlights the ethical issues and practical difficulties of this approach, demonstrating how these might be addressed. This article is offered as a contribution to the debate as to how best to involve young service users in research.

Partnerships: panacea or pretence?

This article seeks to explore the centrality and reality of partnerships or partnership working in current British social policy. The article will investigate the rhetoric and reality of partnerships using research based on the Early Years Development and Childcare Partnerships (EYDCPs) as an exemplar to critically question whether partnerships have become more pretence than panacea? In so doing the article will suggest that partnerships are deserving of greater critical analysis and research as their rhetorical force potentially represents another metaphor for social control.

Service user research in health and social care

This book represents a major contribution to the development and increasingly accepted importnace of involving service users in research. It argues that this is neither a fad or a cure all , and highlights the strengths, weaknesses, benefits and costs of this approach. It is the first text to analyse the involvement of service users from the conception of a research idea to the end of the project.

The nature of employer’s involvement in social work education: An international exploration

Email interviews and internet inquiries were used to explore the nature and extent of employer engagement in qualifying social work education programmes across 10 countries: Aotearoa New Zealand, Australia, Canada, Denmark, Finland, Norway, South Africa, Sweden, UK and USA. Findings indicate considerable variations in the nature and extent of engagement in admissions processes, programme management and assessment of student competence. Practice learning/field education was the main area for employer engagement. The desirability of employer engagement is discussed.

‘Why is This Not Social Work?’ The Contribution of ‘Non-Traditional’ Placements in Preparing Social Work Students for Practice

This article reports on the findings of two evaluations of a major charitys learning from providing ‘non-traditional’ social work placements with young people at risk of social exclusion. The article challenges the terminology of ‘non-traditional’ and ‘non-social work’ placements and examines the potential of these placements in the current social work curriculum and in the light of the recommendations of the Social Work Task Force and directions from the Social Work Reform Board. In particular, the article highlights the ability of such placements to help prepare students for their ‘statutory placement’ in relation to formal assessment, legal literacy, and risk awareness and safeguarding. Overall, it is argued that the time is ripe to champion the creative use of such placements for HEIs, delivery partners, social work students and, most importantly, for service users.

Consultation, Community and Empowerment Lessons from the Deaf Community

• Summary: This article offers a critical examination of the conceptual basis of service user involvement through the analysis of a practice example derived from the Deaf community. The Deaf community is located both socio-culturally and historically. • Findings: One authority’s attempts to consult with their own Deaf community is used as the lens to examine the issues, dilemmas and contradictions inherent in consultation and how consultation can be seen as a mechanism both for social control and for empowerment. • Applications: The authors identify some of the lessons for practice and argue against the uncritical acceptance of consultation. They identify preconditions for consultation to be beneficial both for the Deaf community and for those wishing to consult with that community.

Domestic violence and multi-agency risk assessment conferences (MARACs): a scoping review

Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to draw attention to the potential and limits of the Multi-Agency Risk Assessment Conferences (MARACs) in supporting adults with social care needs who also experience domestic violence. Design/methodology/approach – The paper reports on a scoping review as part of a wider research project entitled: to identify and assess the effectiveness of social cares contribution to the development of MARAC and the protection of adults facing domestic violence. Findings – An understanding of the workings of MARAC could support social care practice with high-risk victims of domestic violence. However, the conception of risk assessment and management central to the process also poses ethical dilemmas for practitioners. Practical implications – Social care is ideally placed to support, in an holistic manner, a group of vulnerable service-users with complex needs. However, the current climate of austerity could jeopardise this work. Originality/value – There is little in the profess...

Ethical Issues in the Involvement of Young Service Users in Research

This paper focuses attention on the ethical issues concerning the involvement of young service users as co-researchers. In particular the article offers an examination of the limitations of the term ‘service user’, comments on degrees of participation and explores the ethical issues prior to the start of the research, during the research and after the research has been completed. Particular emphasis is focused on the topics of: the funders of research, ethics committees, valuing contributions, informed consent, confidentiality, authorship and ending the research. The article also suggests that this is a complex area worthy of further exploration and that many of the ethical challenges identified for working with young service users also need to be considered for young service user co-researchers.

‘You've Got to be a Saint to be a Social Worker’. The (Mis)operation of Fitness to Practise Processes for Students Already Registered onto English Social Work Training Programmes

This article seeks to promote a debate about the operation of fitness to practise procedures for students who have been registered onto social work training programmes in England. Information is provided about the General Social Care Council (GSCC) requirements, university procedures and five exemplars are used to tease out some of the key issues in relation to the operation of these processes. From this exploratory position major concerns are raised about the operation of the current process which promotes surveillance of students in all aspects of their lives, is secret, and lacks accountability. At present it is unknown whether these processes are being operated in a fair or just manner, whether they target particular student communities or whether they are being operated equitably across England. This is a highly unsatisfactory position and is in sharp contradiction to social works avowed commitment to social justice.

Different Cultures, Different Ethics? Research Governance and Social Care

This article focuses on the governance and ethical conduct of research within the domain of social work and social care. Globally, research in this domain appears less well regulated than those in the domains of health care. Within the United Kingdom, the Westminster government is implementing a Research GovernanceFramework for Social Care in England (RGF Social Care). This article locates this development in a broader global context and uses as an example a regionally based implementation to explore some potential issues that arise from the governance and ethical framework in social work and social care. The proposed system is located with English local authorities. Various models are emerging: single department; corporate; dual or multi-council collaborations; cross-sector collaborations. Whatever the merits of the organizational form adopted, the influence of different cultures upon the form of governance and ethical regulation adopted is significant.