Social workers are not, as a general rule, very comfortable with power.
Listen to a group of social workers, or social work students, talking amongst themselves for any period of time, and this will usually become quite apparent. “You know, I wanted to make the big bucks; that’s why I became a social worker!” (facetiously, of course) “They don’t tell me anything; I’m just the social worker!” You get the idea.
The reality, of course, is not only that such self-effacing attitudes are quite self-defeating (more on this later, since I just realized I’ve never written up my whole “power speech” for students!), but also inaccurate.
Social workers have tremendous power. Ask any client who has ever been rejected for services, been made to feel ‘less than’, had her children removed from her home, been required to attend condescending classes, or been scheduled for an appointment at a terribly inconvenient time.
In fact, every day in many ways large and small, WE are what our clients most directly experience as power, and as policy.
And when we deny this, or when we fail to recognize it, we don’t win any points for our martyrdom. We don’t empower anyone by pretending that we have less power than we do. When we fail to adequately account for and ethically employ the power we have, we, instead, fail our profession, our institutions, and, most importantly, those we serve.
This is an often uncomfortable realization for social work students who, after all, got into this business to help people, not to wield power over them. But power, and the way that power works in relationships, is really at the heart of any clinical relationship–how would we, as social workers, ever help anyone to change his/her life if not for the power granted to us by virtue of that mutual relationship? And it’s an integral part of administrative and advocacy practice, too, particularly when it comes to the discretion that social workers at all levels enjoy–to apply eligibility rules, to interpret ambiguous rules, to selectively apply certain incentives or sanctions. The literature and history of our profession recognize this–skim any introductory social work text for “social control and social assistance”–and we know that, if we were honest, our job descriptions would also include words like “gatekeeper”, “rule-maker”, and “policy police”.
This discretion is a core part of what what makes social workers (and other, similar professions) professionals, and it’s a big part of what makes social work a feasible proposition. Think about it: there is no way that an organization could create policies to account for every possibility, and there are dozens of ways, every day, in which policies as enacted are unworkable as implemented.
The challenge for social workers, then, is to acknowledge the policies we make through our decisions, and through our inaction, too. It is to accept the ethical ambiguity of this policymaking and seek consultation and engage in deliberation to approach it with the utmost caution. It is to build mechanisms that incorporate the perspectives of those served in this decision making, and to share power meaningfully so that these clients experience our discretion as a thoughtful exercise of professional authority, not an arbitrary or capricious exercise of personal fiat.
The brief scenarios below come from my own social work practice. I’d love to hear from other social workers grappling with this whole idea of professional discretion and of the iterations of social work policy making within our organizations. How and when have you confronted this realization of your power? As a supervisor, how do you manage discretion for your direct reports? How do you build transparency and accountability into the policies made by your actions, the same way we seek to build these measures into policy we create in other contexts? How do we create a truly empowering relationship with clients, knowing that it is only through an embrace of our own power that we can hope to empower others?
We spend a lot more time talking about how others do policy to us–state legislatures, Congress, federal agencies–than about how we make policy. I think that’s because the latter is a lot more uncomfortable for us; it requires confronting our power and the often ‘sticky’ nature of our policy decisions. We owe it to our clients, though, to do this confronting. We are, for many of them at many points in time, the embodiment of policy’s potential to oppress or to empower, whether we like it or not.
Yes, Danielle, power and powerlessness are relative, in many ways, and, so, we can feel powerless as workers even as we wield considerable power over others. And you’re very right that organizational context influences how we experience power and autonomy. We’ll talk about that more later in the semester in the context of agency advocacy and how culture influences our ability to seek change. Thanks for your insights.
This is a great post and one I think is vital. If we (as social workers/social work students) don’t recognise the power we wield it can almost become dangerous and is part of the self-awareness/reflection that is needed as a part of the job.
Power doesn’t have to be ‘bad’ – as there may be a debate as to whether we can empower if we don’t have power in the first place. It is also a part of our role perhaps to guide people through systems that can be quite challenging and process-driven.
One thing I’ve found (and this might not help newly qualified workers) is that as my ‘status’ within the organisation has changed (I am ‘just’ a social worker with no managerial responsibilities but have built a fairly solid reputation and have become more confident in my practice) I am able to advocate more effectively within it.
Thanks so much for your comments–I’m a frequent reader of your blog, although I’m behind on my RSS feed reading right now! I completely agree with the idea that, if we are avoiding assumption of our own power, we can’t hope to “empower” others–as consumers, we always want to talk with a manager if we have a problem, because we know that with power comes the ability to get what we want done. And I think your point about power accumulating with experience and prestige at our organizations, quite independent of our place in the organizational chart, is a key one. Respect and expertise are potent sources of power, and good social workers certainly have the ability to build those up!
Thanks again!
When you speak of the surprising amount of discretion you had, it reminds me of the article “Street Level Bureaucrats,” in which I’m sure you saw some of yourself if you read it after your APS days. This inadvertent, seemingly invisible “power” is both empowering and frightening. Empowering because so much rests upon one person’s decision to act or NOT to act (sometimes more powerful). Frightening for the same reasons. This is one reason I am excited to learn more about social work administration and policy, so I can have the ability know HOW to use those situations for the betterment of my clients, and how to have my (potential) staff have the same ability. I loved that article, by the way.
Good point, Emily, about the power (and the policymaking impact) of inaction. As hard as it is to recognize our power to act, the impact of our inaction is probably even more invisible. Lipsky’s article is a classic–I’d love to write something that would shape the thinking of as many social workers, over as many decades, as he has!
I often struggle with the dichotomous nature of my role as a social worker… I didn’t get into the “business” to be an agent of social control, rather I would prefer to consider myself an agent of social change. I would also prefer to eat ice cream for every meal but this too is unrealistic. Too often I have found myself in a position to enforce asinine rules and regulations (read: policy and procedures) in order for clients to meet agency expectations. Further, these expectations themselves present a barrier to clients in relation to the assistance they are seeking. Case in point: do I need a complete illicit drug history to give you food when you are starving? Yes, in fact, I do. So not only are clients often shamed by just asking for help but we further erode what dignity that they may still possess by scrutinizing their lives in order to compare with some fantastical model of perfection which has been created by societal norms. Norms that that are perpetuated based on those who have power and influence. I’m sure we can all see the cycle here. We so wish to compartmentalize people so we can “understand” them in an organizational context that we often lose touch with the passion that influenced us to take the social work path. So, I agree that we would rather think of ourselves as powerless rather than recognizing the true nature of our relationship with clients. However, I believe that it is in this recognition that we have the opportunity to stay passionate and keep a client centered focus… especially when considering policy development.
Jessica, I LOVE your comment about how what we want, in life and in social work, is often beyond the realm of the wise, if not the possible! Your example about requiring a drug history for emergency food is a very poignant one, too. Have you had experiences trying to change policies like that, and being able to work alongside clients to push for such client-centered policy changes? How does your vision of yourself as powerless, or comparatively powerful, influence how you can engage in policy action? I certainly can’t tell you that the whole discomfort with the reality that we ARE agents of social control will get better throughout your career, but I can tell you that you’re ahead, in many ways, in that you recognize the inherent struggles within that reality.
I crave to have an experience to work along side a client to change a maladaptive policy! In fact, the opportunities that SWAAP offers to engage in such a practice is my social work “raison d’etre.” Sadly (and cowardly, I might add), when I was confronted with this issue as a student I did point out to my field supervisor that I took issue with this policy but my whistle-blowing stopped there… because it was explained to me that this is the way things are done to meet grant parameters and because, simply, I understood the precarious nature of my situation as a student. I was inexperienced and was searching for a mentor… someone that I could not only discuss the ins and outs of policy but also learn how to actively make a change on the macro (mezzo) level. Also… I’m impatient.
We’ve all, as social workers and as human beings, walked away from some battles that, in retrospect, we may have wished we would have fought. I have had some students use their student status to great effect–a kind of “I’m just a student, and so I’m wondering why it has to be this way…” but certainly there are prices for that internal advocacy. We’ll deal with the question of when our own employers are part of the problem, later in the semester, so I hope that you’ll be able to share some of your challenges then, too. Thanks for your insights.
Today I would like to talk about favoritism and power in the social welfare field. The power of social workers definitely determines the success or failure of their clients, and even at times life or death. I have unfortunately seen all too many times power used inappropriately and unfairly in the non-profit world. Last year I worked part-time at a drug rehab center. Power was spider-webbed throughout the facility and, in turn, made the environment very difficult. The daily scene was plagued with clients struggling to gain power of their lives, and workers holding the power to discharge clients. The workers had the power discharge individuals if they were acting inappropriate, not actively participating in their recovery, and/or for relapsing. I witnessed many times the counselors allowing some individuals stay with multiple relapses while others were terminated for one fault. Ironically a great deal of the time, the individuals that were liked around the facility were given multiple chances at recovery while those who were not liked were terminated immediately. Power in this context frightens me. It is extremely apparent that social workers hold individuals’ lives in their hands. I get angry when I see organizations and professional write certain clients off because they are “difficult” or because they just “don’t like” them. I think within social work we need to maintain our integrity and hold every client to the same standard. While these standards are gray at times, we need to know our personal stance of such unclear standards and strive to maintain such. We as professionals also need to have awareness of situations in which we are basing our power of decision off of individual likability and personality. To me a great social worker works diligently to monitor their power given gray areas of the profession.
I have certainly played the “Susie Social Worker” role by saying -”who am I? Just a social worker.” Being “just” a social worker has had many implications in my life. I have held it up high in regards to the empowering work I did and people I helped navigate treacherous social programs; finding the best fits and benefits for my clients. I have also held it low as supervisors and management and policy makers made rules and policy removing levels of humanity I hold dear. The humanity of society is messy and so too is social work. I believe it is important to stay empowered so that one may empower others. It is most important to stay client focused and keep the interests of the client in perspective while using one’s power. There are many times I have had to “value-check” my self against the “system”. And I certainly have used the NASW Code of Ethics to make decisions through the gray areas. Society holds so much diversity it makes it difficult to make “blanket” policies.
Thanks, Trisa, for these reflections–I think you’re not alone in being uncomfortable with your power as a social worker (with power comes responsibility!). And your insight that it’s difficult to come up with policies that work for all of the individual needs we encounter in practice is one of the very reasons that it’s so important that social workers, including those with direct practice experience, play significant roles in policy development–your retention of that focus on the client can inform policies in ways that mitigate the harm that can come from “one-size-fits-all”. I look forward to learning alongside you this semester!
You mentioned interpreting for clients as a way of exercising power, or at least discretion, which is something that completely relates to my experience thus far in the land of social work and social services. Any time that I have interpreted for my clients I have very much exercised power. Particularly because there’s not usually any real accountability for what occurred or what was said. It probably goes without saying, but due to the vary nature of the need for an interpreter due to a language barrier, both sides then become dependent on me for clear understanding. Sometimes I’ve not felt completely competent with the language content. Or what if I made an error without realizing it. Or what if my word choice, or paraphrasing, changes the way the message is understood. Honestly, that’s a given. Or what if I intentionally put words into the mouth of my client or the doctor? In a different sense, but still speaking to the issue of power, I’ve been in medical or dental appointments where I (in sort of an advocate/ medical case manage role) have interpreted for the doctor or dentist and their interaction with my client, the patient, but I have not interpreted the commentary among the medical staff in the room who are talking to each other ABOUT the patient in medical jargon of course. Sometimes the feelings of powerlessness on the clients’ faces are visual in these circumstances.
Yes, Rachel! I have felt everything that you said, and, truly, even when only one language is involved, we’re still “interpreting” our clients’ meanings all the time…representing them in conversations with people in power and ascribing intention where it may or may not be. As you say, those kinds of misunderstandings are fairly inevitable. I cringe thinking about the experiences you describe, but I cheer your insights and your identification with their feelings of powerlessness…as well as your recognition of your own power. Thank you for sharing!
I have worked in child welfare for approximately four years. When I initially began at the agency where I continue to work, I only took the position because it was offered to me, not too long after graduating with my bachelor’s degree in criminal justice. However, the more I worked with children and families, the more I realized this was the avenue where I needed to be. It didn’t take long to realize this work was going to affect me throughout all my life. I love the services that I have been able to provide to children and families in need. I believe social work is an empowering line of work, not only for how it makes me feel, but for also the empowerment of the clients we serve. I like one of the previous comments on the blog that states we must stay empowered to empower others. This statement is very accurate. If we do not realize the abilty we have to empower others in this line of work, individuals may continue to face the struggles in their lives that brought them to the situation to receive services. We live in a very challenging world today and the belief in ourselves and our ablity to help others is imperative.
I can’t think of another area of social work where our power as policymakers–in terms of mediating how laws affect those with whom we work–is more apparent than in child welfare. To me, I think that could be even harder than the actual technical challenges of the work…this feeling that you hold tremendous authority in your hands. It’s an example of how it’s sometimes easier to feel powerless, because it doesn’t come with so much responsibility. But that brings us back to your statement about how power is a prerequisite for empowerment practice, so we can’t afford to ignore our powers.
I did my BSW practicum in child welfare and I saw how workers who mishandled their power (intentionally or not) when they neglected certain aspects of their cases or allowed bias to influence how they described their clients. It’s a little intimidating to see that misuse of power as a social work student. But it’s clear that trying to back down from that power role as social workers is similarly unethical to misusing the positions power. In putting together what you said in your post and previous experience, I see that to empower our clients, social workers need to recognize the power that goes with their jobs and handle it wisely and carefully.
Great point, Corrie, about how seeing power misused can prompt us to shun its use in our own practice (and lives). But your statement right after that says it so well “trying to back down from that power role as social workers is similarly unethical”… The challenge is not to leave a power vacuum but, rather, to develop and own our own power, so that it becomes a counterbalancing force. I appreciate your thoughtfulness in this response–thank you for sharing!
I have read both the blog and the comments. I would like to comment on Jody McCready’s comment first. I agree with the idea that the power individual social workers hold is frightening. I have seen this power used in positive and negative ways as well. I have experience working at a county mental health center. There is a policy stating that if a client misses 3 appointments or doesn’t cancel the appointment before 24 hours of the appointment time, they can be closed to services. I do think it is important to make sure that clients are utilizing services as case loads are high and many clients are on waiting lists or required to access less services. However, I have seen this policy be utilized or dismissed based on the client. I have also witnessed management staff dismiss this policy due to a client accessing management authority. Therefore, since the client knows how to “make things difficult”, they are able to access services based on a different criteria as other clients. I think that utilizing discretion in social work and other professions is a fact of life. I also know that I would not always make the same decision as another worker in certain situations. One thing that makes me nervous about becoming a part of management is how to know and ensure that the staff under me is utilizing their power for good. In a reading from a different class it talked about client-centered organization. I think this is important when remembering and thinking about our power in relationships and decisions. Always asking, “Is this the best decision for the client and in the best interest of the client?” By constantly asking this question, our focus will stay on our purpose as social workers.
Yes, Corinn–discretion is inevitable, and probably desirable, too, at least compared with the alternative–proscribed practice that impairs the working relationship. I appreciate your focus on the client, and the reminder that, in the end, it’s only our values that can keep us truly accountable!
I must say that I have felt powerless as a social worker before but I believe that was because I was unaware of the power I possessed. This blog post really opened my eyes and made me think about past experiences, how the frustration clients expressed was due to a lack of power and how I was perceived as someone with power who could advocate on behalf of that client. Personally, I used to believe that I could not have an impact on policy because I was on the bottom of the food chain. Sure, I would make suggestions and talk to people about policies that were in place, but instead of being persistent about what I felt was an injustice, I would give up if I hit a road block. As this particular blog indicates, social workers must realize the power that we hold and use it to help our clients and for the better of our profession.
Yes, John, and hold ourselves accountable for the effective and ethical use of that power…realizing that we aren’t, really, on the bottom, but instead professionals afforded considerable privilege, and that with that privilege comes responsibility! Thank you for sharing your reflections.
Promoting ethical power is very important to me. As social work administrators in training it is important to gain an understanding of the power we hold and to demonstrate it responsibly and consistently. When scenarios are presented in class we come up with the “right” solution but in daily practice we need to constantly ask ourselves if we are doing the “right” thing for our clients/consumers. I agree with an earlier post that our policy power results from actions we take as well as the actions we avoid when situations are difficult. I believe in the strengths perspective promoted in the KU School of Social Welfare and the consumer-driven focus on the delivery of services. I look forward to gaining additional knowledge on how further expand my policy development skills and recognize the multitude of opportunities that exist to demonstrate them.
Inaction can absolutely be more ethical, at times, than even the action we’d think is done in the “right” way–I tried to intentionally present, in class, some scenarios where not doing anything is the safer ethical choice. I like the fact that you emphasize the focus on clients as the foundation of ethical practice–it is truly our best guide!
As a foster care and adoption case manager I learned the hard way that I could either adopt that belief system of many of the workers who surrounded by (many were not educated in the strengths model apparently) or I could choose to really try to help these families instead of be punitive with them. As a nursing home social worker, I was expected to act as a police officer with some of the residents. There were times when I had to step in that role with angry, shouting familys, but for the most part if you are not doing something to actually help a situation or condition instead of making it worse, you should try a different approach. Revisiting this belief over and over again has served me well to this day.
Gayle Elliott
KU School of Social Welfare–Social Policy 841