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Commentary

July 11, 2020

Theory? Huh!?

There is no way to approach theory other than to be critical of it. I mean, you’ve got to understand it first before you can be critical of it. So, you have to delve into the books. But once you understand it then you should critically analyse it and ask whether it’s actually of any... Read More

Commentary

theory

July 11, 2020

0 Comment

Power & Autonomy

When we think of power, we usually think of hierarchical power exercised over us by those in certain positions. There is also power in culture. Harari, in his book Sapiens, says cultures have typical beliefs, norms and values but that they are in a constant state of flux and that culture is changed through environment.... Read More

Commentary, Practice

autonomy, culture, power

March 10, 2020

0 Comment

Empathy, Sympathy and Compassion

“Empathy Is Walking A Mile In Somebody Else’s Moccasins. Sympathy Is Being Sorry Their Feet Hurt”. (Rebecca O’Donnell) The nature of our work as social workers, (or any caring profession for that matter) is dealing with some marginalised sections of society. We do our job because we care. By the very nature of ‘us’ caring, are we... Read More

Commentary, Practice, Productivity, Self Care

compassion, empathy, sympathy

March 10, 2020

0 Comment

The Merchant of Venice and Critical Thinking

Was Shylock in Shakespeare’s Merchant of Venice making a critical decision that was necessary and proportionate, when he was demanding his pound of flesh? Let me give you a brief rundown on how Shylock found himself in a position where he was able to demand a pound of flesh from the poor Antonio. Shakespeare sets... Read More

Commentary, Practice

DoLs, liberty, shakespeare

August 1, 2019

0 Comment

Who IS to blame….?

The Guardian this morning (August 1st 2019) reports that social workers are being blamed for their own stress and burnout. You can read the article here.There are some very damning statistics in there about how social workers are feeling about this and how they are maybe being made to feel by employers. Indeed, the HCPC... Read More

Commentary, In the News, Productivity, Self Care

productivity, resilience, self care

March 14, 2019

0 Comment

Unique!?

Recently, when teaching the first year BA students where I work I’d gone off topic….. this never comes as a surprise. And I asked the students, “What is the unique contribution that social work makes to the professional world?” Now, it’s not the first time I’ve asked this question, and the answer I get is... Read More

Commentary, Practice, Self Care

contribution, motivation, self, unique

February 5, 2019

0 Comment

Liam Neeson, ethnicity, and oppression

Liam Neeson is in the press today (Tuesday 5th February 2019). You may have seen that he has told a reporter that during a difficult time in his life he had walked the streets for a week with a knife hoping, he says, to take his anger out on any black man who approached him.... Read More

Commentary, In the News, Practice

discrimination, liam neeson, oppression, practice, racism, social work

1 2 OLDER POSTS

The Nocebo in Social Work – what can the COVID vaccine trials tell us about social work practice?

Beers and Ideas – Philosophy for Social Workers

Theory? Huh!?

Power & Autonomy

Social Care, Risk, COVID and True Uncertainty

Empathy, Sympathy and Compassion

The Merchant of Venice and Critical Thinking

Who IS to blame….?

Unique!?

Liam Neeson, ethnicity, and oppression

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