ABSTRACT

Strengths-based social work is a deceptively simple approach that is conflated with community strengths-based models, causing confusion for local authority commissioning processes as well as for practice. This has led to the reductionist question ‘what are your strengths’ now being seen as an acceptable basis for assessment. It may be that in our determination to avoid a deficit approach, we are ignoring the realities of living with care and support needs. But it may also be that in the face of overwhelming need, a simplistic approach to assessment serves the unconscious need to contain anxiety for social workers and wider system. This article uses a local authority case study to explore the meaning of strengths approach for social work. An approach of Relationships and Reciprocity is proposed to build upon the affirming principles of strengths and contributions whilst recognising the centrality of the relationship in forming authentic collaboration and containment.

摘要

基于优势的社会工作是一种看似简单的方法，它与基于社区优势的模型混为一谈，给地方当局的委托过程和实践造成了混乱。这导致还原论问题“你的优势是什么”现在被视为可接受的评估基础。可能是在我们决心避免赤字方法时，我们忽略了生活在照顾和支持需求下的现实。但也可能是面对压倒性的需求，一种简单的评估方法服务于无意识的需要，以遏制社会工作者和更广泛系统的焦虑。本文通过一个地方当局的案例研究来探讨优势方法在社会工作中的意义。