Differing knowledges: comparing the contribution of drama students and service users in role-plays preparing social work students for practice

Much has been written about service user involvement in social work education with the literature recognising the value of this particular type of experiential knowledge in helping students understand key competences and concepts. There is also extensive literature highlighting the role of simulation in assisting social work students develop key insights in regard to skills and knowledge through role plays. Using a Cross-Over design, this paper compares the contribution of drama students with service users in the preparation of social work students for field practice in Northern Ireland. Our findings suggest there is an important role for both drama students and service users working collaboratively to help social work students develop in key areas of social work competence and have implications for social work education in an international context.