Incorporating users into the theory and practice of Social Work Education. Convergence with Europe?

Abstract

This paper proposes an innovation in teaching methods in the new Social Work degrees that is lacking in the current agenda of innovation: a teaching role that can be played by people (including informal carers) who use services in which social workers operate. There has been some discussion of changing the traditional roles not only of students and teachers, but also of professional social workers who collaborate as tutors in practical Social Work training. This paper analyses the participation, in the United Kingdom, as teachers of users of services where social workers operate professionally. Having assessed the possibilities and the difficulties involved, we suggest initiating similar experiences inour universities. It is felt that they could help to improve the quality of teaching theory and practice for Social Work students as an excellent means of acquiringprofessional competences.