social work in a secure environment: Towards social inclusion

Abstract

A major social policy aim in the uk is to promote social inclusion in order that people with mental ill health have the same opportunities as other people to have a family, work and live. however, people with mental ill health remain amongst the most socially excluded in the uk and their social needs are largely unmet. in this article, the social policy, theoretical underpinning, and evidence base for the development of a social work model is considered with a focus on social inclusion. it is argued that in order to provide a more holistic package of care, each low secure service should have a dedicated social worker as part of its multi-disciplinary team. a social work model linking the areas of social work to an individual's progress through a low secure environment and into the community is presented and the social work process is discussed using a case vignette. © 2005, napicu. All rights reserved.