Introduction
Social workers promote human rights, social justice and equality. However, in today’s society, social workers operate in a world full of discrimination and marginalisation. Individuals are affected by these factors and often feel judged. Anti oppressive practise aims to tackle these issues. It requires social workers to challenge this behaviour within practise and society.
Understanding Anti-Oppressive Practice
Theorist Lena Dominelli (2002) suggest that anti oppressive practice is rooted in power and can shape meanings. It encourages practitioners to reflect on how societal issues can impact individuals including class, disability, race and sexuality. Empowering service users to take back control of their own lives and make informed decisions.
Recognising Power and Privilege in Practice
In social work there is power dynamics this is shown when offering assistance, safeguarding, and assessments. This places responsibility on social workers to recognise the issue and use it sensibly. An example of this is to take into account how institutional racism can influence engagement when working with a family of minority ethnic background. Therefore, you should take time to understand the family culturally and avoid judgment, biases and cultural competence.
Challenging Discrimination and Inequality
Challenging oppression includes interesting the systematic issues rather than just the individuals. Social workers aim to advocate and change this by
- Challenging discriminatory comments
- Challenge policies and procedures
- Challenge behaviours
- Challenging biased language
- Address systemic issues housing, inequality, and poverty
As part of professional standards social workers must uphold values and ethics (PCF2). You should use your voice to speak out on systemic failures and realise when certain individuals are at an advantage. Advocacy is a main part of social work giving that voice to people who feel unheard and misunderstood.
Building Inclusive and Empowering Relationships
Anti-oppressive practice promotes trust and encourages social workers to build rapport with service users. Social workers aim to work with these individuals and incorporate their experiences. They use strength-based approach to focus on what they can do rather than what they can’t. Individuals receiving help should be validated and respected.
Reflective Practice and Supervision
Reflection assist social workers in recognising what went wrong and what went right. We seek guidance and being critically reflective helps to find that balance. Examine our personal values and how we can accommodate to each service user we work with. PCF6 critical reflection and analysis places responsibility on practitioners to improve the way we reflect in order to make informed decisions.
Written by Tia Quinn Taitt
