Thompson’s PCS analysis can be used to view obstacles on a personal, cultural and structural level. Thompson (1997) advises that practitioners need to address all of these dimensions when looking at and actively challenging the root causes of discrimination in practice. P which refers to the personal or psychological level of analysis includes feelings, thoughts, attitudes and actions. P also refers to practice which incorporates the relationship between the service user and social worker and prejudice which notes the inflexibility of the mind that inhibits a non-judgemental practice. (Thompson, 1997). C refers to the cultural level including collective ways of thinking, viewing and acting. C also relates to commonalities and assumed consensus …show more content…
According to Lena Dominelli and Malcolm Payne, anti-oppressive practice is a type of social work practice that concentrates on social inequality and structural shortfalls in the relationship between social workers and the service user. (Payne, 2002). This type of social work practice addresses the service user’s needs despite their social status by providing a suitable and responsive approach. Central to anti-oppressive practice is a humanistic and person centered approach which incorporates egalitarian values that are concerned with the implementation of social justice. (Dominelli, …show more content…
Anti-oppressive practice also had a powerful influence in adapting equal opportunities policies which extended throughout the welfare sector in the 1980’s. (Payne, 2002). The principles of anti-discrimination and anti-oppression have become established within society by creating a consciousness and awareness of both which is reflected in the scope of existing training and literature available. (Thompson, 1997). It is by committing to AOP and ADP and dedicating practice to this approach that these advancements within the system have been made.
The theories and ideology of anti-oppressive and anti-discriminatory practice are clearly powerful ones but it is important to identify the possible limitations of this approach within social work practice. Peter Beresford states that while an anti-oppressive and anti-discriminatory approach has been a key theme in social work teaching and practice for over twenty years, the feedback from service users regarding social work practice is still not positive overall. (Peter Beresford in Lavalette,