Application of strengths-based approaches in an adult social work
Research type
Research Study
Full title
A study into the application of strengths-based approaches in an adult social work in England
IRAS ID
298680
Contact name
Alyson Rees
Contact email
Sponsor organisation
Cardiff University
Duration of Study in the UK
3 years, 5 months, 20 days
Research summary
A strengths-based approach to social work focuses on what an individual wants to achieve rather than their deficits assuming that a person with care and support needs should be empowered to ascertain and determine their own outcomes (Saleeby, 1996). This approach fits with a social work profession that is first and foremost value based (British Association of Social Workers, 2014) and is set out legislatively through the Care Act statutory guidance (Department of Health, 2014). Despite this most published studies of the strengths-based approach have been undertaken outside of the UK (for example, Averill, 2003; Bryant, et al, 2018; Sharman, 2014; Vance 2017). A systematic review of over 5,000 UK studies identified just fifteen studies that examined the implementation of strengths based models and did not identify any studies that measured the effectiveness of the strengths based approach. (Price et al, 2020).
The aim of this research is to examine the extent to which strength-based approaches are understood and embedded in adult social work practice and how this approach can make a positive contribution to successful outcomes for people with care and support needs. This will be a qualitative study using an ethnographic approach. Participants will be adult social workers and people in receipt of social work intervention and will focus on one English local authority. Data will be collected based on observations, interviews and examination of electronic and written records.
The interactions are expected to take place over an 8-10 week period. The research will focus on several lines of enquiry;• How do social workers define and understand strengths-based approaches in relation their practice?
• How are these interpretations observable in day-to-day practice what are the factors that influence these?
• How do people with care and support needs describe their experience of social work intervention?REC name
Social Care REC
REC reference
22/IEC08/0011
Date of REC Opinion
25 Jul 2022
REC opinion
Further Information Favourable Opinion