International Messages from Service Users and Carers on Social Work Knowledge

Service user involvement has become embedded in social work education in several countries across the world. Research evidence also demonstrates the positive contribution that service users can make to important areas of social work knowledge (Skilton, 2011). This workshop presented the findings from a multi-lingual DVD produced with service user and carer representatives across three countries: Northern Ireland, Spain and Slovenia which highlights key messages about their views on important aspects of social work knowledge such as skills and values. The project was funded by the International Association of Schools of Social Work (IASSW) and this workshop was the first opportunity to show the DVD and discuss the findings that emerged across three countries at different stages of development in regard to service user and carer issues.