Critically apply sociological perspectives in relation to social problems and the role of social work in society.

Ø  Provide a comprehensive introduction and a conclusion that situates your selected service user perspective. The introduction should capture aspects of sociological imagination uncovered in your service user statement/narrative, rationale of your chosen service user statement and its relevance, statistical information. Background information from academic literature to set the tone and context would be most useful. Flag up the main sociological perspectives and theories you would discuss or focus on throughout the essay.

Ø  Remember the Four main strands/voices/pillars – the sociological perspective, the service user perspective, Social work focus, your reflections/perspective in connection with values and ethics.

Ø  In the body of the essay, aim to adopt a critical approach, supporting your arguments with relevant literature. The flow of your arguments is important, this should be presented in a logical and coherent manner. When discussing contradictory evidence, aim to use knowledge of hierarchy and/or weight of evidence to guide the discussion. Aim to demonstrate clear understanding of the critical aspects relating to your chosen statement, focusing on the wider implications on the service user.

Ø  Key concepts should be unpicked critically by drawing on literature; aim to explore key convergent and divergent viewpoints. Sociological concepts like sociological imagination, inequality, social structure, social justice and theories like symbolic interactionism, intersectionality, functionalism, Marxism, social constructionism, stigma, underpinning your subject area should be deconstructed. Focus on the main theories and ensure key ideas in line with main strands are threaded through the essay.

Ø  Use relevant literature to support your arguments. Aim to cover the breadth and depth of reading around your chosen subject area. Think back to the variety of service user perspectives that you have benefitted from the module and explore this if relevant.

Ø  Always refer back to the learning outcomes to ensure you have covered key aspects in connection with your service user statement.

Ø  The conclusion should summarize the main points of your essay and the argument you explore in the body/paragraphs of the essay. It would be useful to refer back to the service user/carer statement, so that you run your analysis without neglecting the ‘key voices’, particularly the voice(s) of the service user

Ø  Focus on the third person, ‘… from the service user statement above, it can be argued that…’ or …the concept of poverty and social exclusion are fundamental to this service user narrative and or something similar.

Ø  If you are reflecting on a personal experience or a case study that is similar or near similar; of course, it is OK then to have first person writing and you could Say ‘I found the account by the community partner who talked about domestic violence very useful as it provided good insights on the contemporary models of helping out those confronting this social problem.”

Ø   In your reflections, de-personalise your argument, anchor your thoughts on relevant evidence from the academic literature and specific reference to professional practice requirements (HCPC, BASW) to strengthen your arguments.

Ø  Ensure you dwell on implications for social work practice – interventions and options, power and resources, service user resilience and autonomy, relationship-based practice, neo-liberalism, managerialism and noticeable global issues amongst others.

Ø  As you draw your conclusion, ensure you have dealt with the service user perspectives you highlighted in the introduction and the key arguments you have developed throughout drawing upon sociological imagination/sociological lens. It would be worthwhile to project on the implications for social work practice and perhaps, how things could be done differently for the service user based on your chosen statement and references from relevant literature.

Ø  Reference your sources correctly – please make sure you use the Harvard system of Referencing to ensure your work is accurately referenced.

Essay title:

Based on a service user statement, critically analyze a social issue, highlighting theoretical perspectives, practice implications and personal reflection.

Service user statements

“I have felt like a freak- you know, the name-calling- from neighbors- folk who are just ignorant of mental illness. We are now trying to break down some of the stigma, because people don’t really understand- they are scared. Mental illness is so different to a physical illness, because a physical illness you can see, with your eyes- if you’ve a broken leg or arm. But with certain types of depression- you cannot see it; no one can see it. So it’s hard.”

Sally (quoted in Cree and Davis, 2007, p. 65)

Four aspect to the essay

1.      Sociological focus: Sociological imagination eg stigmatization, awareness of mental health in the society, policies,

Theories: just 2 theories are ok. E.g Functionalist, symbolic interaction, social construction or social stress theory.  Link them all to the service user’s narrative

2.      Service users focus(voice). (what is the voice behind the narrative of the service user) e.g stigmatization, discrimination, lack of person centredness, inequality, isolation due to mental illness.

3.      The social work focus.  The issues for social work practice that has been identified: pg 147 yuill and Gibson; Marxism, inequalities

4.  Values and ethics (British association of social work, scpc guidelines, social wrk code of principles.

·         Use the International federation of social workers definition of social work.

·         Functionalist

·         Social stress theory

·         Symbolic interaction

·         How your practice will be affected by bureaucracy, neoliberalism,

·         Be mindful of context of ethics and values within an organization.

·         The service users voice and agency are important.

Please note that the purpose of these statements is to serve as ‘triggers’, as a starting point for your thinking, planning of your essay and critical approach. It does not mean that you need to critically approach the statement per se, but that you pick out some of the messages/points/ideas in the statements and link them to the way in which sociological perspectives can help us make sense of individual/social issues and social work practice. 

References:

Clark, K. & Green, L. (2016) Social Policy for Social Work: Placing Social Work in its Wider Context. Bristol: Polity Press

Cunningham, J. & Cunningham, S. (2015) Sociology and Social Work. Exeter: Learning Matters

Llewellyn, A. et. al. (2014) Sociology for Social Workers.  Cambridge: Polity Press

Beresford, P. (2010) Public Partnerships, governance and user involvement: a service user perspective, International Journal of Consumer Studies, 34 (5), pp. 495-502.

Beresford, P. and Boxall, K. (2012) Service Users, Social Work Education and Knowledge for Social Work Practice, Social Work Education, 31 (2), pp. 155-167.

Cree, V.E. and Davis, A. (2007) Social Work: Voices from the Inside. London: Routledge.

Doel, M. and Best. L. (2008) Experiencing Social Work: Learning from Service Users, London: Sage.

More detailed guidance on writing style and critical approaches will be posted on Blackboard at the end of timetabled sessions.