What do social workers and children do when they are together? A typology of direct work

Citation

Whincup H (2017) What do social workers and children do when they are together? A typology of direct work. Child and Family Social Work, 22 (2), pp. 972-980. https://doi.org/10.1111/cfs.12317

Abstract
There is renewed interest in the place of direct work and relationship-based practice in social work. This paper explores the day-to-day direct work that happens where children and young people are ‘looked after’ at home, from the perspectives of children, social workers and those supervising practice. It is based on interviews with eight children and 25 professionals about their experiences. In this paper, I highlight that despite barriers, direct work, which is characterized as meaningful by children and professionals, happens and that the relationships formed between children and social workers are an important precursor to and an outcome of direct work. The research was undertaken in Scotland, and although the legislation, policy and guidance differ from other jurisdictions, the messages about direct work are relevant for practice in other countries.

Keywords
direct work; relationship; typology of work

Journal
Child and Family Social Work: Volume 22, Issue 2

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