'It isn't discussed'. Religion, belief and practice teaching: missing components of cultural competence in social work education

Abstract

This paper discusses the question of whether practice teachers and others involved in social work education are giving sufficient attention to assisting students to explore the potential significance of religion (or other identifiable sets of beliefs) to their practice, to their own 'worldview' and to the lives and perspectives of service users. In doing so, it draws on direct experience and relevant literature, as well as semi-structured interviews with individual practice teachers and students and the results of a questionnaire. The paper argues that, many practice teachers and others need to urgently review their practice with regard to the exploration of issues concerning religion and belief with students, if they are to become competent social workers.