THE MORAL SENSITIVITY OF SOCIAL WORKERS
Some preliminary research outcomes
ENSACT Conference
(Istanbul 18-04-2013)
Ed de Jonge
UAS Utrecht Netherlands
ed.dejonge@hu.nl
CONCLUSION (cf. Socrates)
Cooperation in ethical research
by teachers/researchers and
students/practitioners can be an
excellent way of teaching and learning
INTRODUCTION: research
Main objective: improving the moral expertise of (ambulatory)
social workers, and thereby the moral quality and
effectiveness of social work practice
Cooperation (co-financed by SIA-RAAK):

Research group: innovation of social work; subgroup: moral
decision making (UAS Utrecht Netherlands)

Six regional welfare organizations (Cumulus, Leger des
Heils, LSG Rentray, Sherpa, Stade, Zonnehuizen)
Duration:

1 year of preparation (2011-2012)

2 years of research (2012-2014)

NB: continuation of cooperation
MORAL EXPERTISE: research outset
Improving moral expertise presupposes knowing what moral
expertise is
Main research activities

Literature search

Lots of (informal) discussions

Conceptualization
Outcome: learned ignorance (cf. Socrates)

We do not know exactly just what moral expertise is,

but we are convinced that at least 5 elements are important
MORAL EXPERTISE: 5 elements

Identity (being): professional and personal, values and
virtues, moral consciousness, self care

Motivation (wanting): inspiration, passion, calling,
commitment

Sensitivity (sensing): emotions, intuitions, instincts

Frames of reference (thinking): vocabulary, notions,
concepts, theories, viewpoints

Skills (doing): imagination, reflection, discussion, deciding,
justifying, self management
MORAL SENSITIVITY
Intention: developing a practice based theory (cf. Socratic
midwifery)
Method: cooperation of 3 researchers and 12 practitioners
Activities:

Reflective writing: describing a moral issue

Reflective writing: noticing the moral dimension

Synthesizing: first draft

Reading: correct and complete?

Discussion: amendments

Etc. (version 3)
MORAL SENSITIVITY: reported aspects
Failure of expertise (cf. professional wisdom)

Failure of judgment: good, values, rules, virtues, interests,
alternatives, consequences

Failure of decision making

Failure of taking actions
Emotionally being moved

Basic emotions: restlessness, discomfort, anxiety, irritation,
ambivalence

Signalling emotions: worries, fear, suspicion, anger

Secondary emotions: guilt, uncertainty, failure,
disappointment, sadness, pain, desperateness
MORAL SENSITIVITY: aspects of ethics work
Professional nature of emotionally being moved

Self-consciousness

Reflection

Self directing
Preconditions for moral sensitivity

Taking responsibility for the situation

Being open to the situation

Having real contact with the client(s)
MORAL SENSITIVITY: positive side effects of research
Professionalization and empowerment of practitioners:

Becoming more aware of their own moral expertise and the
complexity of it

Being able to make more consciously use of several
elements of their moral expertise in their work

Being able to speak and discuss about moral issues more in
connexion to themselves as professionals and as persons

Becoming a role model in their professional team
CONCLUSION (cf. Socrates)
Cooperation in ethical research
by teachers/researchers and
students/practitioners can be an
excellent way of teaching and learning
COMMERCIAL BREAK
Do you believe that 1 + 1 = 3?
Have you always wanted to
cooperate in ethical research?
Please contact us:
ed.dejonge@hu.nl
For sharing knowledge
is multiplying knowledge!
SOCRATIC QUESTION
Concerning moral sensitivity:
Can social workers be too sensitive?