Reflections - Community Development

Date published: 19 April 2023

Reflections is a series of good practice discussion papers developed by the Office of Social Services about social work and social care practice in Northern Ireland. Themed around the social work practice continuum each Reflection looks at a particular dimension of social work often showcasing good practice examples by local practitioners in Northern Ireland and inviting us all to take time and reflect on our own work.

This 5th Reflections edition assesses the relationship between social work and community development in Northern Ireland. It looks briefly at community development and social work and then sets out the context in which this move towards the promotion of a community social work approach is occurring taking account of co production, relationship building , the use of power and culture competence. This edition includes a number of creative and inspiring case studies which illustrate the diversity of community development approaches and how social workers are already getting involved.

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