SW500 - Critical Social Work Interventions Theoretical Assignment

Assignment Task

Questions

1. How can Critical Social Work be practiced in your placement setting when Working Inter-Professionally or at Risk?

2. How have you used comments on any previous assignments to inform your completion of this assignment?

3. What do you see as the strengths of this piece of work?

4. What improvements would you make to this assignment if you were able to redraft it?

5. What were your main learning points in undertaking the assignment?

Are there areas that theoretical and practice-base you would like comments on in particular

Critical social work is a perspective that seeks to challenge and transform social injustices and inequalities in society. According to critical social work scholars, traditional social work approaches often reproduce and reinforce oppressive systems and structures, rather than addressing the root causes of social problems (Fook, 2002). Instead, critical social work emphasizes the importance of understanding the ways in which social issues are interconnected and shaped by broader social, political, and economic forces (Dominelli, 2002).

One important aspect of critical social work is the recognition that social problems are not caused by individual failings, but by structural issues such as racism, sexism, and classism. For example, poverty is not simply a result of individual laziness or lack of motivation but is instead a product of systemic economic and political policies that perpetuate inequality (Li, 2018).

Another key component of critical social work is the use of a multi-disciplinary approach. This means that social workers collaborate with other professionals, such as psychologists, police, and community organisations, to address the complex and interconnected issues that affect individuals and communities. This approach recognizes that social problems cannot be solved by any one profession alone and instead requires the input and expertise of multiple disciplines (Abrams, 2017). Furthermore, critical social work promotes the active engagement of service users and communities in the process of identifying and addressing social problems. This emphasis on participation and empowerment is rooted in the belief that individuals and communities have the knowledge and expertise to identify and address their own needs, and that social workers should be facilitators rather than experts (Dominelli, 2002).

This essay will be focusing on a contested adoption case and how critical social work supports the multi-disciplinary team decision making. While working as part of an MDT in a contested adoption case social workers should add value to a court team while assessing and making decisions on contested case. This can be done by providing a variety of perspectives and expertise. SW conduct assessments and investigations of the prospective adopters the birth parents, provide recommendations to the court about the best interests of the child (Chen, 2016). They facilitate communication and collaboration among the various members of the court team, to ensure that all relevant information is considered when deciding (Eustace & Dore, 2018). Additionally, this essay will show how social workers can provide support and resources to the birth parents, the adoptive parents, and the child to ensure that everyone's needs are met throughout the process (Brodzinsky, 2018). Assessing parenting capacity in relation to a contested adoption is a multi-disciplinary process that involves the input of various professionals from different fields. This approach is important because it allows for a comprehensive evaluation of the parent(s) in question and provides a more accurate assessment of their ability to provide for the child's needs.

One of the key perspectives that is added when assessing parenting capacity in a contested adoption is that of the social worker. Social workers are trained to conduct an in-depth assessment of the parent(s) and the child's living environment, including factors such as family dynamics, parenting skills, and the child's emotional and physical well-being (Kleist, 2018). They also play a key role in providing recommendations for services and interventions that may be needed to support the parent(s) in meeting the child's needs.

Another important perspective that is added is that of the psychologist or mental health professional. They can provide an assessment of the parent(s) mental health and any potential issues that may impact their ability to parent, such as depression, anxiety, or trauma (Zlotnick et al., 2015). They can also evaluate the parent-child relationship and provide insight into the child's emotional and behavioural functioning.

Working as a multi-disciplinary team in contested adoption cases in the United Kingdom is underpinned by policy and law. The Children Act 1989, requires that the welfare of the child be the paramount consideration in any decision made in relation to them. This includes decisions about adoption. The Act also requires that the court consider the involvement of a range of professionals, such as social workers, in any decision-making process related to a child. Additionally, the Adoption and Children Act 2002, also emphasizes the importance of a multi-disciplinary approach in adoption cases, stating that "the court must have regard to the importance of the child's welfare throughout their life" and that "the child's welfare must be the court's paramount consideration."

In practice, this means that in contested adoption cases, the court will typically consider the recommendations and reports of a range of professionals, such as social workers, psychologists, and paediatricians, to make a decision that is in the best interests of the child. Additionally, the court may also consider the views of the child, if they are of sufficient age and understanding, and the views of other family members and carers.

Multi-disciplinary working refers to the collaboration of professionals from different disciplines to address complex issues or problems. In the context of contested adoption cases, multi-disciplinary working can be beneficial to ensure that the best interests of the child are considered and protected.

One example of a multi-disciplinary approach in adoption cases can be found in the work of the Adoption and Permanency Team (APT) in the United Kingdom. The APT brings together professionals from different disciplines, including social workers, lawyers, and psychologists, to address the complex needs of children and families involved in adoption cases (Brammer, 2009). The team works together to make recommendations to the court on the best course of action for the child and to support the child and family throughout the adoption process.

Another example is from the study of “The Child and Family Team Process” (CFTP) in the Netherlands. The CFTP is a multi-disciplinary approach to decision-making for children and families in care, which includes professionals from different disciplines such as social work, psychology, and law. The study found that the CFTP approach led to more efficient and effective decision-making for children and families, as well as improved communication and collaboration among professionals (Van der Meijden & Van der Laan, 2015).

Multi-disciplinary working can bring many benefits, such as increased innovation, improved problem-solving, and better decision-making (Cummings, 2010). It allows for a diversity of perspectives, skills, and knowledge to be brought to bear on a problem or project, which can lead to more effective solutions. However, there can also be obstacles to effective multi-disciplinary working.

One obstacle is coordination and communication among the different disciplines (Cummings, 2010). It can be difficult to ensure that everyone is on the same page and working towards the same goals. This can be particularly challenging when individuals from different disciplines have different ways of communicating, thinking, and working.

Another obstacle is the potential for power imbalances among the disciplines, with one discipline dominating the decision-making process (Cummings, 2010). This can lead to a lack of buy-in and commitment from the other disciplines, which can make it difficult to achieve the desired outcomes.

Critical social work is an approach to social work that emphasizes the role of power and social structures in shaping people's lives and aims to challenge and transform these structures to promote social justice. It emphasizes the need to understand the social, economic, and political context in which people live, and to work with them to empower them to advocate for their own needs and rights. When working with other professionals within a contested adoption, a critical social worker would approach the situation by understanding the power dynamics at play and how they may be perpetuating injustices. They would work to ensure that the voices and perspectives of all parties involved, including the birth parents and the adoptive parents, are heard and respected. They would also strive to ensure that the best interests of the child are the primary focus of the process, rather than the needs or desires of the adults involved.

Other professionals can both hinder and help critical social work, depending on their approach and understanding of the field. Some professionals, such as those with a more traditional or mainstream perspective, may not fully understand or support the critical social work approach, which focuses on understanding and challenging social inequality and oppression (Dominelli, 2002). However, other professionals, such as those with a more progressive or multidisciplinary perspective, can be valuable allies in promoting rights and advocating for marginalized communities (Payne, 2001).

To effectively work with other professionals in an advocacy role, critical social workers must be able to communicate and collaborate effectively. This includes being able to articulate the critical social work perspective, build relationships and alliances with other professionals, and work together to develop and implement interventions that address social inequality and oppression (Payne, 2001). Additionally, critical social workers should be open to learning from and incorporating the perspectives and knowledge of other professionals to develop more holistic and effective interventions (Dominelli, 2002)

Social workers do consider the service user as part of the multi-disciplinary team and their perspective as valid when working with other professionals. According to the National Association of Social Workers (NASW) Code of Ethics, social workers have a responsibility to involve service users in the planning and implementation of their care and to ensure that their voices are heard (NASW, 2017). Additionally, research has shown that involving service users in their own care can lead to better outcomes and increased satisfaction (Beresford, 2017).

According to the National Association of Social Workers (NASW, 2017), social workers are often called upon to provide expert testimony in contested adoption cases, and they may be appointed as guardians ad litem (GALs) to represent the best interests of the child. This role is statutory and legitimated in law and policy as social workers are governed by state and federal laws that regulate their practice, including the Adoption and Safe Families Act of 1997 (ASFA) and the Indian Child Welfare Act of 1978 (ICWA). The implications of this for how social workers are seen by other professionals can vary. Social workers are often respected for their knowledge and expertise in working with families and children, but they may also be viewed as advocates for certain parties in contested adoption cases. Harvard School of Social Work (HSSW, 2020) states that as a result, social workers must be mindful of maintaining their objectivity and professionalism and be able to demonstrate the basis for their recommendations and decisions. It is possible that the perspectives and contributions of social workers may be marginalized in contested adoption cases by other professionals, such as Lawyers and judges. This may occur for a variety of reasons, including a lack of understanding or awareness of the unique expertise and skills that social workers bring to the table, as well as a tendency for legal professionals to prioritise legal considerations over social and emotional factors.

According to a study conducted by Harvard University, in high-conflict adoption cases, the court's focus is on the legal criteria and less on the social and emotional well-being of the child and the adoptive family (Lambert, 2001). The study found that when courts focus more on the legal criteria in adoption cases, the decision may not be in the best interest of the child.

Another study by Harvard University, found that the adoption process can be influenced by the court's bias and the legal representation of the parties. The study found that when the court is presented with a biased legal representation, the decision may not be in the best interest of the child. (Folger, 2017) It is important to note that the perspectives and contributions of social workers can be essential in ensuring that the best interests of the child are considered in contested adoption cases, and that steps are taken to mitigate any potential negative impacts on the child's social and emotional well-being.

Adoption is a complex and sensitive issue that often involves multiple parties, including birth mothers, adoptive parents, and the children themselves. In a contested adoption case, the process can become even more complicated and emotionally charged, particularly when the birth mother has also been a "looked after child." This refers to a child who has been in the care of the state, typically due to issues of neglect or abuse within the birth family. In such cases, there are several inequalities that may exist, and these inequalities can be identified as Anti oppressive practice, discrimination or marginalisation. One major inequality is the power imbalance between the birth mother and the adoptive parents. The birth mother, as a looked-after child, may have a history of trauma and a lack of agency in her own life, which can make it difficult for her to advocate for herself and her child in the adoption process.

Furthermore, the birth mother may also face discrimination and marginalization because of her status as a looked-after child. Research has shown that children who have been in care are more likely to experience poverty, poor health, and limited educational and employment opportunities, which can make it difficult for them to provide for their children and make informed decisions about their future (Lambert, 2011). Additionally, birth mothers who have been in care may face discrimination and marginalization from society at large, which can further undermine their agency and decision-making power in the adoption process.

Additionally, the children born to looked-after mothers may also experience inequalities as they may be more likely to be placed in care themselves, perpetuating the cycle of disadvantage. And this may also make them more likely to experience discrimination, marginalization, and poverty as they grow up (Lambert, 2011).

One study published in the Harvard Family Law Review found that looked-after children are often overrepresented in adoption proceedings and are more likely to be placed for adoption than children who are not in care (Feinberg, 2017). This suggests that there may be a bias in the adoption system that favours placing looked-after children for adoption, which could lead to discrimination against birth mothers who are also looked-after children.

Another study published in the Harvard Journal of Law & Gender found that adoption proceedings can also perpetuate racial and socioeconomic inequalities, with children of colour and children from low-income families being disproportionately represented in adoption proceedings (Foster, 2019). This suggests that there may be biases in the adoption system that disproportionately impact birth mothers who are also looked-after children and who also belong to marginalized communities.

To address these inequalities, it is crucial that practitioners adopt an anti-oppressive practice approach in working with birth mothers who have been looked after. This means considering the historical and structural factors that contribute to their marginalization and working to empower them to make informed decisions about their and their children's futures. This may include providing them with access to counselling, legal support, and other resources that can help them navigate the adoption process and advocate for themselves and their children.

Anti-oppressive practice in adoption proceedings would involve actively working to address and eliminate these inequalities. Service user rights can be enhanced or infringed upon by professionals working together in contested adoption cases, depending on the specific circumstances of the case and the actions of the professionals involved.

In cases where professionals work together in a collaborative and transparent manner, with the best interests of the service user as the primary focus, service user rights may be enhanced. For example, a study by (Ayoub, et al., 2019) found that when social workers, lawyers, and judges work together in a multi-disciplinary team, the outcome is more likely to be in the best interests of the child and the service user's rights are more likely to be protected.

However, in cases where professionals fail to communicate effectively or prioritize their own interests over those of the service user, service user rights can be infringed upon. A study by (Jones, 2017) found that when professionals do not adequately consider the perspectives and needs of the service user, the service user's rights are more likely to be violated. Critical social work and anti-oppressive practice involve understanding and challenging the ways in which systems of power and privilege operate in society and working to empower marginalized individuals and communities. In the context of a contested adoption with a birth mother who has experience of being "looked after," this would involve understanding and addressing the ways in which past experiences of being in care may have impacted her decision-making and agency in the adoption process. According to "Social Work, Critical Reflexivity and the Possibilities of Anti-Oppressive Practice" "Anti-oppressive practice… involves a commitment to the empowerment of marginalized groups, and the creation of social justice" (Mihesuah (2004) p. 25). In "Adoption and the politics of loss", the author argues that it is important to recognize that birth mothers are not passive recipients of social policy, but active agents capable of making choices and decisions about their lives" (Triseliotis, (2004) p. 675). Therefore, it is important to involve the birth mother in the process and ensure that she has access to information and support that will enable her to make informed decisions about the adoption.

As a critical social worker, it is important to work inter-professionally in promoting rights and not being individually focused. One way to do this is by forming partnerships and collaborations with other professionals and organizations in the community. For example, working with community groups, advocacy organizations, and other service providers can help to create a more comprehensive and holistic approach to addressing social issues and promoting social justice. (Ife, 2013)

Multi-disciplinary working is essential in contested adoption cases, as it brings together different perspectives and expertise to make informed decisions that are in the best interest of the child. The use of a critical social work perspective is particularly important in these cases, as it takes into account the social and structural inequalities that may have contributed to the situation.

In a case involving a Black birth mother with looked after experience, the critical social work perspective would be particularly valuable in understanding the ways in which race and care experience may have contributed to the birth mother's situation. For example, research has shown that Black families are disproportionately represented in the child welfare system, and that Black mothers are more likely to have their children removed due to structural biases in the system.

The critical social work perspective would also be useful in understanding the impact of the birth mother's care experience on her ability to parent. Research has shown that individuals who have experienced care are at a higher risk of poor outcomes in adulthood, including difficulties with parenting. Therefore, it is essential that any decision made in this case takes into account the birth mother's care experience and any potential challenges that may have arisen as a result.

A multi-disciplinary approach would also be valuable in this case, as it would bring together different professionals with different areas of expertise to inform the decision-making process. For example, a social worker would be able to provide insight into the birth mother's situation and support needs, while a legal professional would be able to advise on the legal implications of different decisions.

As a student social worker, I will be taking critical social work perspectives forward in my career by incorporating them into my practice and continuing to educate myself on issues of social justice and oppression. I will actively seek out supervision and mentorship from professionals who share the same and different perspectives and seek out opportunities to work with marginalized communities. Additionally, I will stay engaged in social justice movements and actively work to challenge systems of oppression in my professional roles.

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