Practice
We need to use the lens of putting intersectionality into practice to increase equity for adults and carers.
Part of the 'Equity Change Project'
Introduction
In this section, we move on to putting intersectionality into action. This section aims to help you use the lens of intersectionality in your interactions with adults and carers.
We cover the way intersectionality can change our practice, including how we understand someone’s experience, how we work with them and how we work with other agencies.
Intersectionality is not an add-on but an enhancement of existing approaches to good practice.
Watch our short film for an introduction to practice.
Length: 18 minutes.
Analogy - Impact at the intersection
Being hit by the collision of multiple oppressions is like being involved in an accident with several vehicles. After an accident, it isn’t always easy to reconstruct what happened. It might not be obvious who caused the harm. This can mean that no driver is held responsible, no treatment is administered and the involved parties simply get back in their cars and drive away.
What’s needed instead is to identify the interconnecting factors that led to the crash and respond holistically to the injuries sustained.
Intersectionality in action
We need to understand how intersectionality links with wider social care practice.
Explore how we apply intersectionality into practice. Particularly thinking about intersectional curiosity, and using intersectionality in inter-professional practice
Situated knowledges: Article
Haraway, D. (1988). Situated knowledges: The science question in feminism and the privilege of partial perspective. Feminist Studies, 14(3), 575–599. DOI: 10.2307/3178066
Black feminist thought: Knowledge, consciousness, and the politics of empowerment: Book
Hill Collins, P. (2000). Black feminist thought: Knowledge, consciousness, and the politics of empowerment (2nd ed.). Routledge.
An intersectional model of reflection: Article
Nayak, S. (2022). An intersectional model of reflection: Is social work fit for purpose in an intersectionally racist world? Critical and Radical Social Work, 10(2), 319–334. DOI: 10.1332/204986021X16555682461270
Trauma and fragmentation: Web resource
Rachel, N. Trauma and fragmentation.
IFSW global social work statement of ethical principles: Web resource
International Federation of Social Workers. (2018, July 2). Global social work statement of ethical principles.
Demarginalizing the intersection of race and sex: Article
Crenshaw, K. (1989). Demarginalizing the intersection of race and sex: A Black feminist critique of antidiscrimination doctrine, feminist theory and antiracist politics. University of Chicago Legal Forum, Vol. 1989, Article 8.
Why intersectionality matters for social work practice in adult services: Blog
Bernard, C. (2020. January 31). Why intersectionality matters for social work practice in adult services. Department of Health and Social Care.
The Anti-Racist Listening Project: Podcast
The Anti-Racist Listening Project – ‘conversations about how people are making anti-racist action a part of their lives’.
Anti-poverty practice guide for Social Work: Online guide
British Association of Social Workers. (2019). The anti-poverty practice guide for social work.
