Opportunity for Care Leavers and others with direct experience of institutions and social work
The British Journal of Social Work (BJSW) is inviting submissions to a special issue which will be written by people with lived experience to be published in Spring 2023.
Context
Harnessing the knowledge and expertise of people with lived experience is essential to meeting the global demands and challenges facing the profession. The Global Definition of social work states that “Social work is a practice-based profession and an academic discipline that promotes social change and development, social cohesion, and the empowerment and liberation of people. Principles of social justice, human rights, collective responsibility and respect for diversities are central to social work. Social work has always led the way in user involvement. Power, politics, history and culture however shape the ways in which people outside of the system can genuinely make changes and hold those in power to account. ‘Empowerment and liberation’ involve amplifying the voices of those who are marginalised and creating spaces where lived experience expertise and knowledge is recognised as fundamental to improving outcomes for all.
All persons with lived experience invited to submit to any of the following three categories:
- academic papers
- reflective pieces
- creative artefacts
The Special Issue will be written by people with lived experience rather than about people with lived experience.People with lived experience expertise are involved in all stages and levels of the special issue as Guest Editors, peer reviewers and authors. In addition to academic papers where the lead author has lived experience of the research being undertaken, the guest editors encourage submissions in non-traditional formats so all potential contributors are able to submit in ways which work best for them. Formats may include academic papers, opinion pieces, narratives, artwork and poems. All lead authors will be people with lived experiences relevant to social work.
Submissions may include but are not limited to:
- reflections on community activism and influence on practice and policy in your country/locality
- academic papers of research you have conducted
- reflections and evaluations on innovative user led approaches to social work research, education and practice
- personal narratives and insights in to using and engaging with social work services
- personal narratives and insights into lived experiences relevant to social work.
For full guidance and timelines, please contact bjsw.editorialoffice@oup.com or read on.
- SUBMISSION TO THE ACADEMIC PAPERS CATEGORY
Dr Peter Unwin, Professor Ulla-Karin Schon and Omar Mohamed are leading on this category and are happy to respond to queries you may have ahead of your submission. Requests for specific guidance should be emailed simultaneously to
- Ulla Karin Schon ullakarin.schon@socarb.su.se
- Peter Unwin p.unwin@worc.ac.uk and
- Omar Mohamed oxm937@student.bham.ac.uk
For any queries regarding submission and technical issues of the academic papers, please contact Penny Brown at bjsw.editorialoffice@oup.com
| Category
|
Length/size | Submission process | Submission deadline
|
| Academic papers
|
Between
3-7,000 words including tables/figures/references. Plus Abstract and teaser text of less than 200 words each |
Submit to BJSW through usual online process
https://mc.manuscriptcentral.com/bjsw Papers selected for review will be reviewed by academic and lived experience reviewers |
30th April 2022. |
What we are looking for in the academic papers
All submissions to the academic papers category should either be from people with lived experience of social work or be co-authored with a person/people with such experience. The lead author must be a person with lived experience of the topic being explored.
Submissions should incorporate and promote the perspectives of people with personal experiences of the issues being examined. This might be through their involvement as participants in the scholarly activity being reported, or else through consultation, priority-setting, design, co-production, management and/or review of the work.
Where a submission does not have a co-author from an academic or practice background, then the editors will offer a range of support to facilitate an article of publishable quality.
A range of international submissions across adult and children’s social work will be sought.
Process and deadlines
Authors of academic papers are required to submit summaries in plain English as part of the article, in addition to the main text abstract. The ‘teaser text’ should clearly summarize the focus and findings of the article for non-expert readers. Summaries should be submitted for peer review as part of the main manuscript file, under the heading ‘Teaser text’, before the article’s main text. The summaries should be no longer than 200 words, and bullet points are permitted.
Submissions should be submitted in word.doc format. Tables should be editable and created using table tools in word. Manuscripts should be anonymised for peer review.
General Instructions for the submission of academic papers may be found at https://academic.oup.com/bjsw/pages/General_Instructions
An initial online review of submissions will be made by the two academic editors (Unwin & Schön), alongside with two reviewers with lived experience. Selected submissions will be sent for review to one academic through the usual BJSW peer review process and one person with lived experience through Unwin & Schön. Should you wish to include video, audio, visual files with your academic paper submission, please see below.
Peer reviewed decisions will be made by 1stJuly 2022. Authors requested to re-submit will be required to do so by 1st Oct 2022 with review decisions by 1st December 2022. Final decisions will be confirmed by 24th December 2022.
2. SUBMISSIONS TO THE ‘REFLECTIVE PAPERS’ CATEGORY
Dr Lia Levin, Raza Griffiths and Professor Peter Beresford are leading on this category and are happy to respond to any queries you may have ahead of your submission. Any queries should be emailed simultaneously to
- Lia Levin (levinlia@tauex.tau.ac.il),
- Raza Griffiths (razagriffiths@gmail.com ) and
- Peter Beresford (peter.beresford@brunel.ac.uk )
| Category
|
Length/size | Submission process | Submission deadline
|
| Reflective pieces
|
500 words summary
2-3,000 word completed paper |
Two stage submission process:
500 word summaries should be simultaneously submitted to Lia Levin (levinlia@tauex.tau.ac.il), Raza Griffiths (razagriffiths@gmail.com ) and Peter Beresford (peter.beresford@brunel.ac.uk )
Summaries reviewed by academic and lived experience reviewers. Selected authors will be invited to submit completed paper
|
25th April 2022: 500 word summary
15thSeptember 2022: completed paper |
What we are looking for in the reflective papers category
For the reflective papers category, we are seeking think pieces, fact-based reports or comment pieces which aim to emphasize an issue or an experience and explore it, which are distinguished by subjecting their focus to a particular viewpoint, understanding, or set of values.
The focus of reflective papers could include, but is not limited to, subjecting research findings to a particular focus of reflection; reflecting on community activism and influence on practice and policy in a country/locality; reflecting and evaluating innovative user led approaches to social work research, education and practice; personal narratives and insights in to using and engaging with social work services; or personal narratives and insights into lived experiences relevant to social work.
We invite submissions relating to social work as a formal practice and academic discipline, as well as to work undertaken by various agencies and initiatives or individuals to realise broader social work principles. These include the empowerment and liberation of people through focusing on the challenges they face in different life areas; social justice; human rights; collective responsibility; respect for diversity in all its dimensions; and a desire to amplify marginalised voices. Submissions should reflect the belief that lived experience expertise and knowledge, in holding power to account, is fundamental to improving outcomes for all, not just people with lived experience.
Process and deadlines
Potential contributors should submit a short summary/abstract (no longer than 500 words), covering key points of what they would like to write about (the whys, whats, whens, wheres and whos of it). Selected summaries will be invited to be expanded upon in a full paper of 2000-3000 words.
As there is a limitation to the number of reflective papers that will eventually be published and diversity of perspectives will be prioritized, it is not possible to guarantee the selection of all abstracts, interesting and thought provoking as they may be. In the event of an abstract not being selected, alternative suggestions for where to publish will be provided. Guidance, support, and feedback during the process of developing a selected abstract into a full reflective paper will be offered by the guest editorial team.
Summaries will be reviewed by the guest editors and people with lived experience. Peer reviewed decisions on summaries will be made by 1st May 2022. Selected authors will be invited to submit a full reflective paper by 15thSeptember 2022.
3. SUBMISSIONS TO THE CREATIVE ARTEFACTS CATEGORY
Dr Frank Golding and Dr Mel Hughes are leading on this category and are happy to respond to any queries you may have ahead of your submission. Any queries should be emailed simultaneously to
- Mel Hughes mhughes@bournemouth.ac.uk and
- Frank Golding fgolding@bigpond.net.au
| Category
|
Length/size | Submission process | Submission deadline |
| Creative artefacts
|
May include but are not limited to, short stories, artwork, animation, photos, short films, music and poems.
A range of formats will be accepted which can be submitted and published electronically. Suggested file sizes: 72 – 100ppi (pixels per inch) on the web Print: 300dpi (at actual image size)
|
Submit to email
Your submission can be included as an attachment or a URL (internet link) to an external platform BU Transfer can be used for attaching large file sizes https://butransfer.bournemouth.ac.uk/
Submissions will be reviewed by panels of people with lived experience and a diverse range of submissions selected for the special issue and/or an exhibition co-hosted with the British Association of Social Work (BASW)
|
1st June 2022 |
What we are looking for in the ‘creative artefacts’ category
The guest editors encourage submissions to the special issue in non-traditional formats so all potential contributors are able to express themselves and submit in ways which work best for them. Formats for the creative artefacts category may include but are not limited to, short stories, artwork, animation, photos, short films, music and poems.
All lead authors/contributors will be people with lived experiences relevant to social work. We are particularly keen to receive creative artefacts which convey personal narratives and insights in to using and engaging with social work services and/or lived experiences relevant to social work. All submissions for this category will be considered for the special issue and for inclusion in an exhibition of work in collaboration with the British Association of Social Work (BASW), to amplify the voice and influence of people with lived experience of social work.
If submitting to this category, we ask that you include:
- your submission title
- the country you live in
- 100 word personal profile telling us about your self and your lived experience
- 100 word introduction to your submission (optional)
- Whether you wish to be considered for the special issue, the exhibition or both
- Your artefact
Submissions should be made to x email address by Wednesday 1st June 2022.
Your submission can be included as an attachment or a URL (internet link) to an external platform e.g., for films or music. Files which are too large to attach to an email can be sent via BU Transfer https://butransfer.bournemouth.ac.uk/ Please ensure that any documents are clearly named with your submission title. Please note that all work must be your original work and not subject to any copyright restrictions (you may choose to submit work already created but this should not have been exhibited or published elsewhere). Should you require further information on file types and size, please contact the sub-editors.
Submissions will be peer reviewed by people with lived experience and social work academics. A range of creative artefacts will be selected which reflect a diverse range of voices and experiences. You will be informed of the decision in November 2022.
My name is Ellen Bucello. I am a lived experience Forgotten Australian. I was made a ward of NSW at age four along with my brother 3 years old, and sister 5.
Returned to my mother at 13 years old. Underpinned in those years is a life in itself, that I would not wish on anyone.
I would like to write for the journal but it seems structured academically. I would like to contribute with guidance.
Hello Ellen.
Thanks for taking an interest in this exciting project. I’m responding both from my website where you saw the notice and to your email address that you included in that place. This is more likely to get to you than relying on my website alone.
I’ll send you a document that describes the three different categories that the Journal is looking for. Only one is an academic strand. The other two might be more to your liking going on your comment on academic writing. In the document you will see the email addresses of people to contact for help under the three categories. You choose which categories you want to contribute to and then contact them direct using the email addresses supplied in the document. Your email will go to the best person(s) able to suggest ways of supporting your contribution.
Please also note that the 3 categories all have different deadlines for the initial submission. After that stage, there will be time to develop
Best wishes
Frank Golding
Call for submissions
Dear Dr Golding
I have read the three categories, and quite frankly was scared off.
They are written in an academic way that is quite frightening to the ‘average’ educated person. I certainly know that many of the Forgotten Australians I know would think writing something in a Journal to be published would be quite frightening.
The point I want to raise in my article is now that we are ageing and many are ageing before the years that they should. We are assessed by an ACAT team who decides what level of Government Care we are on. I am now classified as requiring L2 home care. However, because I have worked for many years, mostly disadvantage as overlooked for promotion many times due to Epilepsy, Complex PTSD, Borderline Personality Disorder, Anxiety, Depression. I also, have had seven bones replaced since 2013 the primary being 8 titanium rods in the spine at which time they found my back was broken.
Because I worked as much as I could in my younger years I secured some superannuation that is paid fortnightly as a part pension of $555.00 and receive Centrelink Part Pension of $931 a fortnight. Now combined these monies exceed the full Centrelink Pension.
I do not have a problem with paying a fee where it is due. However, I feel it downright disgusting that after ten years of separation from siblings, placement over eleven homes and institutions, being sexual abused several times and beaten to an inch of my life. Yes, I had a foster mother that over 5 years lent me to her girlfriends husband whilst they went out. This was from the age of eight years old. Beaten with a baseball bat on my bones. Now at aged 71 years I have suffered with osteoarthritis since age 55. Tied up with hands behind my back and told to kneel and eat like a dog because that is all you are. And I am sure you have heard many, many stories in your time.
I have finally accepted one cannot change the past and threw myself into Advocacy for Forgotten Australians on the Central Coast. It has always been my believe and this was reiterated to the Royal Commission into Sexual Abuse of Children that due to significant injuries and health concerns Forgotten Australians should be issued with a PRIORITY ONE CARD which would provide the same benefits as DVA recipients.
In these institutional settings many loose their self, own identity and I could go on but I wont.
I certainly would not feel intelligent enough to write an academic prose. Although, that would be an achievement in itself.
I expect, therefore that you or a colleague may guide to to the best section to write in and hopefully with guidance.
On the 4-5th April 2022 I will be attending the Conference in Queensland on Enabling Better Aged and Community Care for Forgotten Australians. This platform will surely allow me to hammer out such issues as raised in this correspondence.
Yours sincerely
Ellen Bucello
office.bucello@gmail.com
0433365500
PS – Your email response was read this correspondence. Thanks for your advice.
Dear Ellen (I’m very happen to be called Frank)
I think many people are put off by academic language and that’s highly regrettable. But please don’t be scared off; I hope you will persevere. The Journal is not looking for academic language – especially in the Reflective pieces and Creative Artefact categories. There are sections in the Call for Submissions document that set out the Journal’s expectations.Plain language would be totally acceptable.
I think your inclination towards the category, Reflective pieces, makes a lot of sense. From what you say, you could write about your experiences with the systemic frustrations in seeking justice as a Care Leaver (readers overseas my not be familiar with the term ‘Forgotten Australians’) with disability particularly as they enter the Aged or Ageing cohort. And how your advocacy work has led you to the belief that Care Leavers should have a Priority card.
You now might like to make contact with the editorial panel dealing with the Reflective pieces, Lia, Raza and Peter. Their email addresses are set out in that section of the Call for Submissions document.
Thank you also for your suggestion about contacting Wattle Place. I have done that already, but I have not had any feedback yet.