The Knowledge Bank are a group of people who have all had social workers and they work with the social work team at The University of Sheffield to represent the views of people with lived experience.
The social work team are currently reviewing what they teach on the course and has asked The Knowledge Bank to find out what people think makes a good social worker. And to do this they want to hear from people in South Yorkshire who also have experience of social workers.
You must be over 18 to participate but can still take part if you had a social worker, or if a family member had a social worker, when you were a child. They’re also interested in talking to people who have tried to get support from social work but were unable to access services. Whatever your interaction with social workers they would like to know what you think makes a good social worker, and what it is you think The University of Sheffield should teach them.
If you want to take part, you can either fill out a short online survey or be interviewed in person or by video call. Interviews will last between 30 and 60 minutes and will be recorded. You can bring a carer, friend or family member with you and The Knowledge Bank will reimburse the money you spend travelling to get to the interview.
It’s important to know that when The Knowledge Bank talk to others about their research, they will change any details about you that might make you identifiable. They could change your gender, the number of children you have, or the services you say you accessed.
The Knowledge Bank is part of The University of Sheffield and not linked to a council or charity group. It’s important to know that choosing to take part, or not take part, will not impact the service you receive from any other organisation. Other than the research group no one else will know you are involved.
More information can be found on the website including the Participant Information Sheet and a video explaining the importance of informed consent when participating in research. You can email Dr Jessica Langston, the Lived Experience Lead at The Knowledge Bank at knowledgebank@sheffield.ac.uk if you have any questions or require any further information.
