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Embedding strengths-based practice: Frontline Briefing (2019)

Published: 01/04/2019

Author: Guthrie L, Blood I

Sections

This resource is part one of the Learning Pathway on strengths-based working. Our pathways guide you through connected resources on a key topic to support self-directed learning and development. Find out more about Learning Pathways.

If you are currently working through this Learning Pathway please find the link to the next resource below to continue on your learning journey.

‘Strengths-based practice’ has been defined as:

…a collaborative process between the person supported by services and those supporting them, allowing them to work together to determine an outcome that draws on the person’s strengths and assets. (SCIE, 2015)

The Care Act 2014 guidance refers explicitly to strengths-based approaches, by requiring local authorities to:

Consider the person’s own strengths and capabilities, and what support might be available from their wider support network or within the community to help. (Department of Health and Social Care, 2018)

Strengths-based approaches also fit well with core social work values, such as promoting the rights to participation and self-determination. BASW’s Code of Ethics states that:

Social workers should focus on the strengths of all individuals, groups and communities and thus promote their empowerment. (BASW, 2014)

This publication complements Research in Practice Strategic Briefing on Developing strengths-based working (Ford, 2019), which focuses on:

  • The policy and legal context for strengths-based approaches and their development.
  • Different models of strengths-based practice.
  • Approaches to evaluating their success.

This briefing, which is aimed at frontline social care practitioners and their managers:

  • Proposes and explains seven key principles of strengths-based approaches in social care, and the evidence base supporting them.
  • Presents a series of practical tools to support strengths-based practice, focusing on communication skills.
  • Considers some of the challenges to strengths-based practice as experienced by practitioners, with practical recommendations for practitioners, teams and managers on how they can embed the approach sustainably.

Professional Standards

PQS:KSS - The role of social workers | Person-centred practice | Effective assessments and outcome based support planning | Direct work with individuals and families | Level of capability: at the end of their first year in employment | Values and ethics | Influencing and governing practice excellence within the organisation and community | Developing confident and capable social workers | Relationship-based practice supervision

CQC - Caring | Effective | Responsive

PCF - Values and ethics | Diversity and equality | Rights, justice and economic wellbeing | Knowledge | Critical reflection and analysis | Intervention and skills

RCOT - Understanding relationship | Service users | Identify needs | Develop intervention | Evaluate impact | Keep records | Demonstrate quality | Collaborative | Communication | Support development

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