ABSTRACT Positive Behaviour Support Plans (Plans) are documents written by practitioners about and for Service Users who are exhibiting “challenging behaviours”, which may risk harm to the self or others. These Service Users are subject to restrictive practices, including physical or environmental restraints, seclusion, and psychotropic medication. This article presents a Decolonising Critical Discourse Analysis (DCDA) Framework for the analysis of Plans and other disability-related texts, iteratively developed through analysis of 16 Plans, conversations with disability stakeholders, reflexive team discussions, and a review of the literature. The aims of the research discussed in this article are to document and analyse discourses evident in the sample Plans and to inform critical and socially just Plan authorship practices. The purpose of this article is to report on the Framework development and offer an analysis of early findings. Plans are viewed as texts that create and maintain a complex interplay between macrolevel forces (discourse and policy) and microlevel practices of plan writing. The DCDA Framework emphasises decolonising language, making Whiteness visible, enacting disability justice and neurodivergent-affirming practice, and upholding a body politic analysis. This methodological Framework is applicable to a range of texts and contexts to explore how language can be utilised to construct Service User identities. IMPLICATIONS A Decolonising Critical Discourse Analysis (DCDA) Framework and method can be applied effectively to analyse Positive Behaviour Support Plans (Plans). Recognition is needed that risk–centric language pathologises neurodivergence and frames Service Users as requiring close regulation. Psychotropic medication is a frequently utilised restrictive practice. Cultural identity is not well–considered in this sample of Plans. Social workers have a responsibility to use their advocacy skills to critically engage with the power of language and to disrupt dominant narratives about disabled Service Users.

ABSTRACT Previous international studies indicate social workers often believe their profession is misunderstood and not highly valued by the community. However, this topic has not been studied in-depth in Australia. This article reports on research about social workers’ perceptions of how social work is understood in the Australian context. Results from an online survey (n = 169) show that social workers are proud of their profession; they see themselves as advocates for vulnerable populations and proponents of social change and feel they work hard in stressful situations. However, they believe the public misunderstands their role, aligning them with predominantly bureaucratic activities. Further, social workers believe that the public has a lack of trust in their role; they have poor representation in the media; and there is a negative stigma attached to their work. These findings are consistent with the narrative of being misunderstood found in previous studies. Respondents highlighted that there is a role for the professional association, social work academia, and social workers to promote a positive narrative to improve the public understanding and appreciation of social work. This article highlights how professionals perceive their status and image as important when considering professional socialisation, and provides an opportunity to influence a more positive narrative about social work. IMPLICATIONS Understanding how social workers perceive their public image can help shape professional identity and socialisation. Social workers, educators, and professional associations can play a key role in addressing misconceptions and highlighting the diverse roles undertaken by social workers.

ABSTRACT Concerns about white dominance in social work have led to various scholarly works exploring potential avenues for the decolonisation of the profession. As a contribution to this work, this article presents the various processes that the authors have engaged with to create a space for diverse theories and perspectives to be integrated within the social work curriculum. This work can enable a holistic and decolonising learning experience for social work students. The authors’ journeys in engaging with the praxis of Aboriginal ways of knowing, being, and doing are presented as a critical pathway of learning and growing as educators committed to decolonial work. In this article the authors describe the application of this praxis by challenging the cultural hierarchy of knowledge (ways of knowing), employing a self-discovery and self-transformation approach (ways of being), and adopting pedagogical strategies that facilitate these goals, such as storytelling (ways of doing). Through the sharing of experiences, the authors aimed to provide educators with examples, guidance, and insights into the possibilities of decolonising social work education. IMPLICATIONS Decolonising social work education is the gateway for decolonising social work practice. The Aboriginal ways of knowing, being, and doing can offer a pathway for decolonising the social work teaching and learning experience. Sharing experiences and learning is central to decolonial work that helps promote critical thinking and reflection, fostering new possibilities for education and engagement in social work.

ABSTRACT Wanton violence is being inflicted on women and children in Australia, and First Nations women are more likely to experience Domestic and Family Violence (DFV) than non-First Nations women. The Queensland Government’s Domestic and Family Violence Prevention Strategy 2016–2026 states that recognising DFV is foundational to ending violence against women and children. Part of this strategy involves the universal implementation of The Domestic and Family Violence Common Risk and Safety Framework (CRASF) risk assessment and safety planning tools. However, because of assessor confusion, this tool may not be suitable for homelessness organisations despite these services being likely to encounter many victim-survivors. A scoping review assessed which risk assessment tool would suit Queensland homelessness service providers with First Nations clients. The findings revealed a lack of research on DFV risk assessment tools for homelessness service providers with First Nations clients. Investigation into DFV risk assessment methods for homelessness service providers recommended by Australian States and Territories revealed an array of methods and no First Nations-specific DFV screening questions. Recommendations are made for a DFV risk assessment procedure suitable for homelessness services. IMPLICATIONS Social workers employed by homelessness services may need to assess if their clients are victim-survivors of domestic and family violence (DFV). Tools recommended by Australian State and Territory Governments need to be adapted for use by homelessness services. Use of The Northern Territory Domestic and Family Violence Risk Assessment and Management Framework is recommended for Queensland social workers working with First Nations victim-survivors.