Co-building a new eco-social world: Leaving no one behind

To celebrate World Social Work Day and Social Work Week we have released the reimagining possibilities using a neighbourhood approach and Attachment Economics videos, and brought together Research in Practice resources on topics that include co-production, community working, relationship-based practice and equality.

World Social Work Day recognises the hard work and dedication of social workers on an international stage, the focus of 2022 is ‘Co-building a new eco-social world: Leaving no one behind’ – presenting a vision to create new values, policies and practices that develop trust, security and confidence for all people. Social Work Week is encouraging practitioners to reflect on the significant events of 2021 and celebrate the important role they have played.

The following resources explore topics including co-production, community working, relationship-based practice and equality.

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Co-production and working with communities

Co-production involves collaboration between professionals and people with lived experience to design, deliver and ultimately improve social care support. It is one of the key principles involved with building community capacity and in supporting outcomes focused, person-centred approaches to social care.

In our new videos, Jessica Prendergrast and Immy Kaur share ideas for building a fairer economy and society for all. They outline the importance of ensuring that people are at the heart of the issues that their community face, from climate breakdown to the housing crisis.

The videos talk about giving people the tools, space, confidence and capacity to interact with issues that they are often kept away from, and also unlock their skills and capabilities to work towards a better future.

Watch the Attachment Economics video.

Watch the reimagining possibilities using a neighbourhood approach video.

Relationship-based practice and professional curiosity

For social workers, building relationships with the individuals and families they work with is important in order to establish a shared understanding. A key part of this is to use curiosity to question and challenge the information they receive, identify concerns and make connections to enable a greater understanding of a person’s situation.

The Professional curiosity in safeguarding adults: Strategic Briefing examines the nature of professional curiosity, some of the barriers that inhibit professionally curious practice, and the enablers that strategic leaders can put in place to create the conditions for a culture of curiosity in their organisations. 

View the Professional curiosity in safeguarding adults: Strategic Briefing. 

Equality, human rights and ethical social work practice

Structural inequality and discrimination continue to exist in the UK and the issues disproportionately impact people from a range of minoritised groups. An integral part of social care practice is protection and promotion of the rights of adults, children and families.