This training module is a suggestion of how to organize a week on service users’ participation in social work education. It can be used as an inspiration when developing a training module together with service users and social work students.
It is presented on a PowerPoint describing possible contents for each day of the week. For certain days (1 and 2), you will access links to complementary tools (not included in the toolkit).
– Select a number of ‘positive’ pictures (20 to 30) from a game box. – You can also select from free online images , https://pixabay.com/ search term ‘people’
– Hang out the photos, put them on the table, show them
(individual) Select two photos
– Photo 1: this photo expresses who I am, what I stand for : Take a photo that best fits you as a person
– Photo 2: Tell us why you have chosen this picture . I associatiate this image with service users because…
In a round you let each student propose his / her two photos, presenting the pictures and the answers on the questions. Tell the group what you expect from the coming week.
We found some inspiration on this website (eurvoice.net)
Civic responsibility – The workshop aims to bring participants on the same level when talking about values. It also aims to bring the individual responsibility from a far perspective by first discussing values and experiencing being confronted with our own values.
● to get acquainted with values as concept and how that underlines one own’s perceptions, beliefs, understanding of cultures, society etc.
● to provide a space to introduce basic human rights and values behind it
● realize concrete actions a young person can take to “internalize” values
This activity will deal with the topic of values. To get started please form small buzz groups of maximum 3 and try to brainstorm about what values means to you. (10’) In plenary collect the outcomes from group work, try to identify the group own’s understanding on values. We suggest avoiding define, definition as wording not to confuse the group that we are looking for proven definition. (15-25’) Activity Ask the group to form slightly a bigger group up to maximum 5 participants. Share with them the set of words (see in Annex) and explain the tasks:
● Their aim is to create a pyramid out of the cards, based on how they prioritise them.
● They are encouraged to discuss the meaning of different values within their small group.
● As addition a small presentation (oral) should be prepared as wall to explain the reasons of their prioritizing strategy.
Timing: Introduction 5’, Activity 25-30’, Presentation 3-5’ per each group
In plenary after the presentations, we suggest having a closure at the end to debrief the activity. Suggestions for the debriefing:
● How did you feel yourself during the activity? Was it easy for you or not? Why?
● What was surprising for you?
● Do you have a better understanding of values? Pls. explain
● How do you think in youth work these values are represented?
Timing: 20-25’
Organize a walk where the link with the theme is palpable.
Example: city walk with the theme of poverty. “Over the centuries, poverty also left traces in the streets, as well as the way in which poverty was combated. What was the role of the then board What anecdotes, myths and prejudices are circulating about this permanently topical theme?”
With a guide, stroll through the heart of the city past the places that tell the story of urban poverty past and present.
During the walk you can visit a social work organization
You can visit a social work organization where the theme of participation is central. Let a service user talk about his/her experience with working together with a Social Work education for example internship of a student.
Give an overview of the rest of the week and clarify core concepts, intentions of the pedagogical activities and what’s expected by the students.
Concepts to clarify are service user (linking to concept of service user) and participation (linking to participation clouds)
Describe the goals (linking to how to set the goal) of the totality of the pedagogical activities.
Describe all the assignments that the students need to do during the week.
You can propose to the students to write an individual and/or collective report about the experience. Hear some examples for inspiration.
To collect feedback from students
1) What did you learn in the programm of this week ?
2) How do you feel during the activities of this week, with reference to the encounter with service users ?
3) To what extent did this week broaden your knowledge about the involvement of service users in social work education ?
4) How has this week contributed to your professional development as a social worker ?
5) What will you take into the future as a social worker ?
1) Short introduction to present the group and the week
2) Content of the training week
→ Describe the main pedagogical activities during the week. What kind of activities where you involved in ?
→ Reflection :
3) Conclusion
Bear in mind to prepare the students for the forthcoming activities with service users. To enhance their mindset and skills (linking prerequisites). Maybe include time to discuss the two core concepts here in the beginning.
This workshop aims to bring students to name their individual feelings, thoughts and questions all along this activity. Reflecting with oneself is complementary to reflect among students (among peers) and with service users.
Before starting the activity with service users, and then at the end of each session/day, each student is invited to take some time alone (with himself).
Before starting the activity with service users, students can make an inventory of their practices regarding service users’ participation. For example, they can answer the following questions:
Another way: Students reflect on situations that they lived during their internship and then choose one. This could be a situation in which there is a gap between
what they experienced with the service user and what they would have liked to experience. It can be related to the topic of the programm. Then they formulate a question that this situation raises for them. From this question they can start to discuss with service users.
Then all along the programm, at the end of each session/day, students can answer the following questions:
It can be helpful to have some music that helps students to concentrate, while they are invited to write. It can help them to put themselves in their “own bubbles”.
There are several ways to do this. Students can write:
SOCIAL WORK EDUCATION
EXPERTS BY EXPERIENCE