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 experts
Lyn Romeo
Chief social worker for adults.

Elaine Aspinwall-Roberts
Senior 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 – 05:19
Lyn and Elaine discuss what strengths-based practice is and whether it is different to asset-based practice.

14:40 – 20:50
Is 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 – 23:59
Using a strengths-based approach in your practice: what questions to ask and what skills you need.

References
Cole, A (2016)
The 'three conversations' model: turning away from long-term care
The Guardian

Department of Health (2017)
Strengths-based social work practice with adults

Gray, 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, pp5-11

Graybeal, C (2001)
'Strengths-Based Social Work Assessment: Transforming the Dominant Paradigm'
Families in Society: The Journal of Contemporary Social Services, Volume 82, Issue 3, pp233-242

Graybeal, C (2007)
'Evidence for the Art of Social Work'
Families in Society: The Journal of Contemporary Social Services, Volume 88, Issue 4, pp513-524

McGovern, J (2015)
"Living Better With Dementia: Strengths-Based Social Work Practice and Dementia Care"
Social Work in Health Care, Volume 54, Issue 5, pp408-421

Oliver, 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, pp1009-1026

Pattoni, L (2012)
Strengths-based approaches for working with individuals
Iriss

Saleebey, D (ed) (2012, 6th edn)
The Strengths Perspective in Social Work Practice
London: Pearson

Slasberg, C and Beresford, P (2017)
'Strengths-based practice: social care’s Elixir or the next false dawn?'
Disability and Society, Volume 32, Issue 2, pp269-273

Smith, 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