Participation and theory generation

How children, young people, and families create theory

Peter.hart@durham.ac.uk@youthworkerpetewww.dur.ac.uk/peter.hart

Aims

After considering how theory/policy affects practice in previous lectures, understand how practice can inform theory.

See Kolb’s learning cycle in action Compare practitioner and community based research with evidence

based practice (previously covered in Andrew’s lecture)

Theories in Use Argyris & Schön (1974) – The theory that governs action – may be

implicit:When someone is asked how he would behave under certain

circumstances, the answer he usually gives is his espoused theory of action for that situation. This is the theory of action to which he gives

allegiance, and which, upon request, he communicates to others. However the theory that actually governs his actions is his theory-in-use,

which may or may not be compatible with his espoused theory; furthermore, the individual may or may not be aware of incompatibility

of the two theories. (p6-7)

Part 1 – Theories in use

Espoused Theory

The theory a practitioner claims to use, whether they really do or not.

Part 1 – Theories in use

Using Kolb’s Learning Cycle:Theory from Practice

Part 2 – Theory from Practice

Concrete Experience: Relationships

Practitioner research into different ethical practices in youth work. Youth work is, at it’s heart, a relational practice:

“even if we do not consciously ‘educate’ or ‘counsel’ but spend out time ‘being with’ someone then we may be doing something of incalculable

value” (Jeffs and Smith 2010:30),

Relationships based around authenticity, help, respect, warmth, and confidentiality.

Part 2 – Theory from Practice

Concrete Experience: Professional Boundaries

“a set of guidelines, expectations and rules which set the ethical and technical standards in the social care environment. They set limits for safe, acceptable and effective behaviour by workers” (Cooper 2012)

Are these boundary violations? Having a romantic relationship with a young person. Playing pool with a young person. Calling a young person a friend. Giving a stranded young person a ride home.

Part 2 – Theory from Practice

Concrete Experience: Professional Boundaries “Friendly, not a friend” “Buddy, not a peer” “Close, but not too close” “Intimate, without overstepping a boundary”

Part 2 – Theory from Practice

Reflective Observation: Offering a Ride HomeWell, do you know, like, things people have asked before and I’ve explained that I can’t do things, so I think the older group that have been here a long time they know, like… for instance they always ask for a lift home, and they still ask but they’ll go ‘I know, you can’t’, [it’s against our lone worker policy].There’s those things they know that they’re in place, and they know that, like you say, their mate might just give them a lift home because it’s raining and they don’t want to walk, but we wouldn’t.

I've given a young person a lift twice, and I've stopped my car on another time… I've known that I was opening myself up to any kind of thing. But the situation that was going on I couldn’t walk away from.I have put myself on the line, and maybe been slightly over it. But at the time my gut was telling me to do that, and I would have probably done it as a human being, not just as a youth worker. [then she recounts her stories of young people in trouble, requiring a lift]Maybe I shouldn’t have, but I wouldn’t want somebody leaving my son on the street in that sort of state.

Part 2 – Theory from Practice

Reflective Observation: Facebook

If they requested that I be their friend then generally I’d just accept that. That would be fine. I’m very aware that I have young people as friends on Facebook. And, so I’m sort of quite careful about what I put on there… both Facebook and twitter, the things that I share on there are things that I’m happy to share with [young people]… You know, I think it’s part of being transparent and the integrity thing, there’s nothing I need to hide on Facebook… But I wouldn’t search for the young people in the group and ask to be their friend, but I think if they want to be my friend or if they want to follow me on twitter that’s fine. I wouldn’t initiate it, but I wouldn’t reject them.

I would expect them to either decline it, take the first opportunity when they next see the young person to say; "It's not about I'm rejecting you personally. But because I'm -." In words that young people - it depends on who the young person was. It would need to be in a context that young people could understand. But either; "My professional boundaries don't allow me to have contact with young people outside of work." Or, if they're looking for somebody to blame, blame me and say: "I'm not allowed to have contact through social media with young people I know through work."

Part 2 – Theory from Practice

Reflective Observation: Complicated relationships Healthy relationships were not easily understood through considering

boundaries. These themes interact with each other to create a whole relationship:

Self-disclosures Engaging in the wider lives of young people Setting an example Use of authority and power Respecting young people Practising young people’s needs Formality and distance

Part 2 – Theory from Practice

Abstract Conceptualisation: Micro-theory Professional boundaries set limits of acceptable behaviour. But relationships remain messy, because there are lots of parts of the

relationship interacting.

Part 2 – Theory from Practice

Abstract Conceptualisation: Ethical Framework

Deontological Ethics Immanuel Kant 18th Century ‘Right’ or ‘ethical’ actions come

from rules. Following rules is key. Universal rules compel a

worker to do their duty towards young people.

Virtue Ethics Aristotle & MacIntyre Right actions are character

dispositions. Sound judgement is essential. Community and tradition are

important in deciding which ‘virtues’ are necessary.

Part 2 – Theory from Practice

Abstract Conceptualisation: Offering a Ride HomeWell, do you know, like, things people have asked before and I’ve explained that I can’t do things, so I think the older group that have been here a long time they know, like… for instance they always ask for a lift home, and they still ask but they’ll go ‘You know I can’t’, [it’s against our lone worker policy].There’s those things they know that they’re in place, and they know that, like you say, their mate might just give them a lift home because it’s raining and they don’t want to walk, but we wouldn’t.

I've given a young person a lift twice, and I've stopped my car on another time… I've known that I was opening myself up to any kind of thing. But the situation that was going on I couldn’t walk away from.I have put myself on the line, and maybe been slightly over it. But at the time my gut was telling me to do that, and I would have probably done it as a human being, not just as a youth worker. [then she recounts her stories of young people in trouble, requiring a lift]Maybe I shouldn’t have, but I wouldn’t want somebody leaving my son on the street in that sort of state.

Part 2 – Theory from Practice

Abstract Conceptualisation: FacebookIf they requested that I be their friend then generally I’d just accept that. That would be fine. I’m very aware that I have young people as friends on Facebook. And, so I’m sort of quite careful about what I put on there… both Facebook and twitter, the things that I share on there are things that I’m happy to share with [young people]… You know, I think it’s part of being transparent and the integrity thing, there’s nothing I need to hide on Facebook… But I wouldn’t search for the young people in the group and ask to be their friend, but I think if they want to be my friend or if they want to follow me on twitter that’s fine. I wouldn’t initiate it, but I wouldn’t reject them.

I would expect them to either decline it, take the first opportunity when they next see the young person to say; "It's not about I'm rejecting you personally. But because I'm -." In words that young people - it depends on who the young person was. It would need to be in a context that young people could understand. But either; "My professional boundaries don't allow me to have contact with young people outside of work." Or, if they're looking for somebody to blame, blame me and say: "I'm not allowed to have contact through social media with young people I know through work."

Part 2 – Theory from Practice

Abstract Conceptualisation:

Which approach to ethics it the best match for relationships in which the boundaries move and flow?

On what ethical framework are ‘professional boundaries’ based?

Part 2 – Theory from Practice

How can we improve (or be more intentional about) a ‘virtue ethics of professional boundaries’?

Active Experimentation

What comes next?

Part 2 – Theory from Practice

Benefits of an Inductive Approach

Theories based on complexity of practice

Increased expectation from law (e.g. Children Act 1989), social pressures (e.g. feminism), and political policy (Nolan et al 2007) that marginalised groups will participate in improving services.

Alternative perspectives on dominant theory/policy.

Part 3 – Benefits ofpractice/user based research

Alternative to ‘Evidence Based Practice’

Community Based Research

Participatory Action Research Research that attempts to

change something, for the better, by those who are most affected

PAR “involves researchers and participants working together to

examine a problematic situation or action to change it for the better”

(Kindon 2007:1)

Part 3 – Benefits ofpractice/user based research

This assumes: CYP&F are experts in their own

lives. They have subcultural

knowledge they can draw from that professionals don’t have access too

It is ethical (see UNCRC) to consult people on decisions affecting their lives

Knowledge is a social construct – not a realist ontology.

Community Based Research

Evidence Based Practice: We know there has been a

reduction in reported ASB in many areas.

We know more about which types of orders are likely to reduce reoffending.

Part 3 – Benefits ofpractice/user based research

Participatory research suggests: Unintended consequences -

further exclusion. They can be unfair and

inequitable. Morally questionable - balance

of probabilities What works, for whom? Socially constructed nature of

ASB

Participation and theory generation

How children, young people, and families create theory

Peter.hart@durham.ac.uk@youthworkerpetewww.dur.ac.uk/peter.hart