Making Consultation Real
Thursday, February 1st, 2007 by Chris DurkinHow do we avoid tokenism in consulting people without power?
There are sometimes themes that cross a number of modules that I teach on, which on occasions make preparation simpler, although it must be stressed that each module has a different context.
Last month I was preparing teaching materials for a number of modules - looking at the role of community in social work; community empowerment and marketing. I was also involved, as part of a research team, in undertaking a literature review on looked after children. In all these areas there was a common theme and that was the need to consult and listen to the needs of service users. I think we can also make this more specific and realise that if this consultation process is to mean anything we need to understand people within their own environment.
This need to consult is enshrined in legislation such as the Children Act 1989, and also in government policy initiatives like Every Child Matters. I also have yet to meet anyone who does not think consulting people is not a good thing. I think all of us, for instance, applauded the Government
