"Reading my SW files a few years ago and seeing me described as manipulative by a teacher I'd trusted shattered me. That teacher has since passed (while I was still at the school) and I'd grieved her for years. Was tough to take and people think it's just words. It's not. I was 14”@Careleaver123 [1] … Continue reading Just words
Tag: blame
Beyond blame
As I discussed in my previous blog post, the language of social care is filled with words that blame people seeking and drawing on support. ‘Hard to reach’. ‘Refuses to engage’. ‘Frequent flyers’. ‘Carer breakdown’. ‘Bed blockers’. ‘Challenging behaviour’. ‘Non-compliant’. ‘Complex’. ‘Difficult’. ‘Vulnerable’. And many more. These terms don’t just feature in our conversations and … Continue reading Beyond blame
Words that blame
The language of social care is filled with words that blame people seeking and drawing on support. Our so called ‘strengths-based’ practice drips with deficit-based terms that stigmatise people as problems. Our ‘person-centred’ approaches are infused with phrases that marginalise. In this blog post I’ll explore ten widely used blaming words and phrases, then in … Continue reading Words that blame
Rewriting social care
I don’t think anyone would dispute that adult social care needs to change. From the perspective of the Government, much of the media, and many think tanks and campaigning organisations, social care reform means people won’t be forced to sell their home to pay for the costs of care. It means free personal care. Better … Continue reading Rewriting social care
Labels
Let’s talk labels. At this time of year, there are lots around. Labels glued to boxes containing purchases made online. Labels taped to packages and sent off in the post. Labels tied to presents underneath the tree. Labels attached to jars of mincemeat and chutneys and jams. Labels fixed to suitcases as people travel home, … Continue reading Labels
Why language matters
“Language is the most powerful tool we have. Let’s use it well.”Surviving Safeguarding [1] Anyone who works with me knows that I care a lot about the words and phrases we use in social care. I firmly believe that our language reflects our values and our feelings, and in turn the way we think and … Continue reading Why language matters
Rewriting social care 