4.2 Identifying the voices in the social work documents
The WiSP project explored the different ways in which people contribute to social work documents. When writing an assessment report, for example, it is important that the views and wishes of the service user are represented clearly. Sometimes there are also family members and carers who provide information or whose views need to be included. Assessment reports often need to include information from a range of other professionals who may provide factual information or expert opinions.
The task of the social worker is therefore not only describing and providing analysis based on their own observations and professional judgement, but drawing together and synthesising information and opinion from several sources. The way in which all of these ‘voices’ are represented is important so that the reader understands the source of the information or opinion. It is not uncommon for a report to include an opinion that the social worker does not agree with, but it is nonetheless important to include.
Activity 12 Who said
Read the following extract from an assessment report and identify the source of the information or judgement. Use the highlighting tool to identify which content is from. Click on the different yellow, pink and blue pen button options to change the colour.
- The social workers (blue)
- Santosh the service user (Yellow)
- Rachel the community nurse (Pink)
This activity illustrates that weaving several voices together can be tricky. As a social worker you may also need to use different voices depending on your role and how you refer to yourself. The choices that you make about language can alter the way in which readers understand who’s views are being expressed and the authority or expertise of the views.
The following illustrates some the different voices used:
| Point of view | Example | Comment |
|---|---|---|
| First person | I observed, I believe, I offered | The writer is taking clear personal ownership of what is being said |
| Passive voice | It was observed, it is believed, it was offered | Distances the writer personally from the statement and can also imply that the statement is commonly accepted as a fact. |
| Second person | You observed, you believe, you offered | Directed at a specific person, not normally used in formal / professional documents |
| Third person (impersonal) | The social worker observed, the authority believes, Social services offered | The person is less visible individually and the opinion or information is located in the organisation or role that they hold. |
| Third person (specific speaker) | Dr Jones observed, Dr Jones believes, Dr Jones offered | Identifies the person expressing the view who is not the writer. |
| Use of quotations | Mrs O’Rourke said she was ‘at the end of her tether’ | The use of speech marks indicates who expressed the opinion / provided the information. It also distances the writer from the content |
Activity 13 Identifying the voice
Look at the examples from written texts and use the drop down feature to select the correct categories.
Answer
Activity feedback
| Example | Voice |
|---|---|
| I would strongly recommend that the children are placed on child protection plans | Written in first person singular |
| Jane disclosed that her Mother sexually abused her between the ages of 6 and 10 | Written in third person |
| It was agreed there should be an adjournment. | Written in the passive voice |
| Her son gave her ‘a dirty look’. | Use of quotations |
The words and phrasing may also be different depending on who the writing is primarily addressed to as in the following two examples:
| Statement | Reader |
|---|---|
| The aim is to support John in transitioning in to his new flat, by providing support to him in managing his daily routine and preparing meals. | Addressed to an authority (implied) |
| I have attempted to contact you by telephone but got your answer phone. | Addressed to service user |