MRC-Introducing The Em-Prac Framework To Support Empathic Practice In Social Work

Empathy is a complex and under-explored concept at the heart of relational practice in social work. In this webinar, Amy and Gillian will share a practice framework ‘Em-Prac’ to develop understandings of and support empathic practice in social work. The framework describes five forms of empathic practice: three practices at an individual social worker level, and two organisational level practices.

Em-Prac was developed as part of Amy’s PhD research study. It is grounded in the interviews Amy conducted with 12 social workers from child protection teams in three local authorities in England to explore their experiences of empathy in practice. Interview data was analysed thematically, using creative methods and by applying Arlie Hochschild’s theory of emotional labour and Wilfred Bion’s theory of containment. In this webinar Amy and Gillian will: • detail the Em-Prac framework. • reflect on how the Em-Prac reflective tool can be used by social workers and organisations to develop and sustain empathy in social work.