2. BACKGROUND 2.1. Definitions A ‘service user’ is commonly defined as someone who uses or has used social work and care services7. Although frequently used in social work literature it is recognised that language can be problematic and not everyone identifies with this term6. A ‘carer’ is “someone who, without payment, provides support to someone who could not manage otherwise because of frailty, illness or disability”8. It needs to be recognised that service users and carers are not a homogenous group and possess diverse perspectives, identities and needs9.
the report uses both citizen and ‘service user’ interchangeably as a broad phrase mirroring the language used in the project and in line with the vast majority of previous research
‘Social Work Education’ was initially defined as a set of core competencies that students must achieve to prepare them for field education. This was then broadened to include a more holistic view of capabilities which involved knowledge, skills and values as well as affective processes13. Put simply, it is the education of students to become qualified social workers or training whilst qualified and can involve service users involved in teaching and learning, designing and developing the curriculum, admission processes, quality assurance, development of materials and all aspects throughout the education process.
‘Involvement’ is also a broad term with multiple meanings commonly used to describe someone becoming active in their own care and in the care of others in similar situations6.
7.
Goossen, C. and Austin, M. (2017) Service User Involvement in UK Social Service Agencies and Social Work Education. Journal of Social Work Education, 53(1), pp. 37–51.
8. Fitzhenry, S. (2008) ‘Service user and carer involvement in social care and social work programmes’, Scottish Social Services Learning Networks. unpublished report. 9. Beresford, P. (2003) It’s Our Lives: A Short History of Knowledge, Distance and Experience. London: OSP for Citizen Press in association with Shaping Our Lives. 10. Duffy, J. (2006) Participating and Learning Citizen Involvement in Social Work Education in the Northern Ireland Context A Good Practice Guide. Publisher Unknown. 11. Ostrom, E., Parks, R.B., Whitaker, G. P. and Percy, S. L. (1978) The public service production process: a framework for analyzing police services. Policy Studies Journal, 7, pp. 381–9. 12. Social Care Institute for Excellence (2013) Social Care Institute for Excellence (SCIE) Co-production in Social Care: What It Is and How to Do It, SCIE Guide 15. London: Social Care Institute for Excellence. 13. Kourgiantakis, T , Sewell, K , Hu, R , Logan, J , and Bogo, M (2020) Simulation in Social Work Education: A Scoping Review Research on Social Work Practice 2020, Vol. 30(4) 433-450.
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BACKGROUND
Although, the term ‘citizen’ is favoured by the research team due to its links with constancy, rights and entitlements, and is more in line with the fundamental values of social work7,
‘Co-production’ refers to the role citizen’s play in determining the form, delivery and value of a service10. Co-production occurs when citizens involved in social work education are seen as people with assets and skills who are involved in a process which builds on their capabilities through reciprocity and mutuality11. This is achieved by breaking down barriers and effecting professional and service changes12.
