Strengths-based practice

Welcome to Learn on the go, a Community Care Inform podcast where we discuss what the latest research, practice models and policy guidance mean to your practice.In this episode, we discuss strengths-based practice: what it is, how it can be used in social work and some of the criticisms of it.The expertsLyn RomeoChief social worker for adults.Elaine Aspinwall-RobertsSenior lecturer in social work at Liverpool John Moores University.The podcast is presented by Ruth Hardy, assistant content editor at Community Care Inform.0.00 – 05:19Lyn and Elaine discuss what strengths-based practice is and whether it is different to asset-based practice.14:40 – 20:50Is strengths-based practice just a way for local authorities to save money? Lyn and Elaine discuss whether it could lead to restricted access to services.20:59 – 23:59Using a strengths-based approach in your practice: what questions to ask and what skills you need.ReferencesCole, A (2016)The 'three conversations' model: turning away from long-term careThe GuardianDepartment of Health (2017)Strengths-based social work practice with adultsGray, M (2011)'Back to Basics: A Critique of the Strengths Perspective in Social Work'Families in Society: The Journal of Contemporary Social Services, Volume 92, Issue 1, pp5-11Graybeal, C (2001)'Strengths-Based Social Work Assessment: Transforming the Dominant Paradigm'Families in Society: The Journal of Contemporary Social Services, Volume 82, Issue 3, pp233-242Graybeal, C (2007)'Evidence for the Art of Social Work'Families in Society: The Journal of Contemporary Social Services, Volume 88, Issue 4, pp513-524McGovern, J (2015)"Living Better With Dementia: Strengths-Based Social Work Practice and Dementia Care"Social Work in Health Care, Volume 54, Issue 5, pp408-421Oliver, C and Charles, G (2016)'Enacting Firm, Fair and Friendly Practice: A Model for Strengths-Based Child Protection Relationships?'The British Journal of Social Work, Volume 46, Issue 4, pp1009-1026Pattoni, L (2012)Strengths-based approaches for working with individualsIrissSaleebey, D (ed) (2012, 6th edn)The Strengths Perspective in Social Work PracticeLondon: PearsonSlasberg, C and Beresford, P (2017)'Strengths-based practice: social care’s Elixir or the next false dawn?'Disability and Society, Volume 32, Issue 2, pp269-273Smith, S; Dressel, J and Brannan, J (2018)'The Solution-Focused Approach'In: Lishman, J; Yuill, C; Brannan, J and Gibson, A (eds) Social Work: An Introduction (2018, 2nd edn)Song, L and Shih, C (2010)'Recovery from partner abuse: the application of the strengths perspective'International Journal of Social Welfare, Volume 19, Issue 1, pp23-32