Our lives your learning

2006 Conference

Involving people who use services and carers in social work education at the University of Bedfordshire.

What is the workshop about?

From September 2004 the training for social workers changed and the government said that people who use services and carers must be involved in the training.

The University of Bedfordshire, formerly the University of Luton will talk about how they formed their service user and carer group which is called the Experts by Experience (XbX) group. We will talk about the areas our XbX members are involved in and how we are taking this work forward.

XbX members will themselves talk about the activities they have been and are involved in. They will actively engage with the audience to share knowledge and ideas about the impact this has on their lives and the hoped for impact upon the lives and practices of the social workers of the future.

We think that people will be able to learn about how the XbX group is making a difference and is active participation rather than tokenism.

We look forward to seeing you there

Authors

Forbes ~ Marisa

Manager, Centre for the Development of Social Care Practice, University of Bedfordshirelnbr Marisa Forbes, a child care practitioner, now manages the Centre for the Development of Social Care Practice at the University of Bedfordshire. This is a unique joint venture between the University and Luton Borough Council. The centre provides practice learning opportunities for our social work students and Marisa is researching the effectiveness of the Centre in providing these quality non-traditional practice learning opportunities. The Centre is the focus for the involvement of people who use services in the Social Work programmes. Indeed a student is currently working in the centre to develop the activities of the XbX group. The Experts by Experience ‘Our Lives, Your Learning’ group comprises a cross section of people who are, or have been, in receipt of Social Work or social care services or who are carers. The group has worked to research and advance ‘service user involvement’ in the University in the selection, teaching and assessment of Social Work students. The group were asked about being involved in this workshop and whilst some are happy to be present at the workshop there was input by other members who chose not to come here today.

View all articles by this author

Thorpe ~ Amanda

Amanda Thorpe is Head of Social Work at the University of Bedfordshire and was instrumental in setting up the service user involvement project. Research interests include anti-racist and anti-oppressive practice, social work law, and the involvement of people who use services which are crucial to developing effective social work education.

View all articles by this author