Learning outcomes

After this chapter you will be able to:

• 1 be aware that errors are unpleasant but inevitable in all systems;

• 2 recognise the inescapable trade-off between security (and its costs) and damage caused by mistakes;

• 3 consider ‘smart mistakes’ as an alternative to failures produced by the implementation of ordinary and normal strategies;

• 4 gain awareness of latent errors in social work;

• 5 define some of the basic elements of error-prevention systems;

• 6 have an overview of the most important ethical and professional responsibilities for social workers in the UK and in some other countries.

Introduction

Concepts from the previous two chapters are combined in this central part of the book, which is focused on the opportunities and the risks of any learning process based on reflection on mistakes in social work. The two main questions in this context are:

• • why do social workers ‘need’ to make mistakes or, to say it better and since everybody fails from time to time, why do they need to be more aware of their mistakes?

• • what are the limits set by ethical and professional responsibilities?

The metaphor of Columbus who, as already mentioned in this book, accidentally discovered America while looking for a quicker route to India and its markets rich in spices and other precious goods, drives the explanation of the positive effects of mistakes, if (and only if) they are recognised promptly so as to minimise their negative effects and avoid repeating them in the future. Serendipity as a fortuitous discovery of something good is the basis of many important scientific innovations in medicine and other fields. It is better to be aware of mistakes and try to make the best of them since it is impossible not to make mistakes. The awareness of this simple truth may help to make the emotional experience of being wrong less unpleasant. Moreover, doing nothing just to avoid mistakes is an even bigger mistake when inaction means potential danger or harm for vulnerable people, including those who often need the help of social workers. And, if errors are inevitable, it is possible to make them ‘smart’, that is to use them to explore and find the way to solve problems with new solutions when the old ones do not work.