Innovation of Social Work
The Innovation of Social Work Research Group is a joint initiative of the Hogeschool Utrecht University of Applied Sciences, the Oranje Fonds and the Dutch Association of Social Workers (NVMW). The research group has the objective to improve and innovate the professional practice of social professionals, in particular for social workers. The research group mainly focuses on the ‘underbelly of the care market’: people who are in debt, have mental health problems
or addictions, socially isolated or have specific lifestyles that are a hindrance to others.
With the current supply, support and social work institutions are often insufficiently capable of
reaching these people. How can the supply of support and social work be better aligned to the
specific characteristics and needs of these people?
The research group concentrates on four lines of research:
• The first line of research focuses on getting a better understanding of these people.
Who are these people, what is their perspective, their need for help and support and what are
their resources?
• The second line of research focuses on a working method indicated as ‘interference’ or ‘outreaching’ care, by which professionals will visit these people uninvited, if needed – and establish methods of contact. Methodological aspects and other aspects of outreaching work are observed. Working in the home, with clients who have complex problems, is highly charged with
conflicts of value.
• The third line of research therefore concerns the way in which social professionals deal with moral dilemmas and their moral judgement. The goal of this line of research is to strengthen the basic reflective attitude of professionals, to increase the care taken in making moral judgements and to enforce auditing and accountability.
• The fourth line of research concerns the general development of the social work sector.
A range of activities is being developed in these four lines, varying from (PhD) research to methodological development, master classes and debates. The research and development activities are about innovation of the professional practice and contribute to the innovation of education.