Challenging the narrative
Social work students’ views on the impact of service user and carer-led pedagogy to knowledge and practice
Bibliographic Data
| ID | 11444554 |
|---|---|
| Authors | Eleni Skoura-Kirk (0000-0003-0356-2802, University of Kent, corresponding author) |
| Year | 2025 |
| Volume | 44 |
| Issue | 4 |
| Pages | 825-839 |
| Publication date | 2025-05-19 |
| Open Access | Yes |
| Type | ARTICLE |
| Venue | Social Work Education (JOURNAL) |
| Journal identifiers | ISSN: 0261-5479 • E-ISSN: 1470-1227 |
| Publisher | Informa UK Limited (PUBLISHER • GB) |
| DOI | 10.1080/02615479.2024.2351434 |
| OpenAlex | W4399480744 |
| Language | EN |
| References cited | 34 |
Service user and carer involvement is firmly established as an integral part of social work education in the UK, with a growing body of evidence demonstrating its beneficial effects on student learning. Calls have been made to further develop its theoretical base and evaluate its impact on students’ future practice. This article contributes to these aims, by following a cohort of undergraduate UK-based social work students. Using a focus group, the research elicited the views of the students on how classroom-based learning by people with lived experience affected their learning and practice pre-qualification. The findings are underpinned by the theme of ‘challenging the narrative’. They assert the powerful effect service user narratives have on bringing issues ‘to life’ and challenging stereotypes, as well as affecting students’ practice. However, challenging the narrative also linked to students’ reflections on what counts as ‘legitimate’ and reliable knowledge and a disconnection between University-based learning and messages received in practice. The paper argues for an ongoing critical evaluation of the impact of pedagogy led by people with lived experience, with the dual aims of identifying what benefits student learning, as well as critically dissecting power, authority and knowledge
Medical education · Narrative · Pedagogy · Political science · Sociology · Engineering · Healthcare innovation and challenges · Medicine · Mental Health and Patient Involvement · Psychology · Social Work Education and Practice · Social Work
Collecting and analysing qualitative data
‘Through no fault of their own’
Playing its part
Social work student telephones Expert by experience. Service users involvement in social work education during Covid-19 pandemic
Perspectives of experts-by-experience
Listening to care experienced young people and creating audio-bites for social work education
Models and Effectiveness of Service User and Carer Involvement in Social Work Education
Public Participation in Health and Social Care
Social Work Students Learn about Social Work Values from Service Users and Carers
Co-Producing a Shared Stories Narrative Model for Social Work Education with Experts by Experience
Service users and carers’ involvement in social work education
Making It Real’
A Ladder Of Citizen Participation
| Highly cited | No |
|---|