Spatial social work, social pedagogy and the arrival of COVID-19 in practice: Prospects for new ways of working in uncertain times

Abstract

This practice paper explores a direct work tool within a reflective supervision session relating to spatial social work, inspired by Christian Spatscheck’s 2019 article ‘Spatial approaches to social work – theoretical foundations and implications for practice and research’. I talk about using a map with a young person to look at their social spaces and what they mean to them, gaining an insight into their lived experiences linked to exploitation. The paper also looks at how COVID-19 has changed our ways of working, and what opportunities this may bring for future planning of social spaces and the inclusion of young people.