Use of self in social work: practitioners’ perceptions

Use of self is a readily understood shorthand term between social work professionals that is nonetheless difficult to define. Literature on use of self is opaque with very little focussed on what it means and how it is practiced. The thesis sought to understand practice, policy and education applications of ‘the use of self’ in professional conversations with experienced social work practitioners in the UK (n=32). A literature and policy review addressed how self and use of self is conceptualised. This included examination of a new Professional Capabilities Framework for social work that has embedded use of self as a practice requirement. The findings indicate that use of self was meaningful to participants and could be identified as who they were, and through application of social work values. Participant practitioners thought their professionalism (including their use of self) was thwarted in government agendas leading to procedural selves in managerial cultures. This finding indicated time, space and trust to explore practice were thought critical for deepening social and emotional intelligence (important to the use of self). The findings demonstrated an impasse between UK governments and the profession about what social work is and what it should be able to do. Social work identity was believed by participating practitioners to be fragmented and this impacted on the way they thought social workers were educated and expected to practice, suggesting that the use of self they described was jeopardised in contemporary structures. It is recommended that a better descriptive conceptual framework is needed if use of self it is to remain an aspect of the profession.