Using creative educational methods for social work professionals: digital stories and neonate simulators.

Abstract

Social work [and healthcare] practitioners tend to work in silos causing insufficient understanding of the lived experiences of gestational substance use, and the life-long ramifications for the developing foetus and children. This has led to judgemental attitudes towards these women and inconsistent services and support. To address these gaps, our project was conducted in three phases. We examined the narratives of women who used substances during pregnancy, as well as those of their families, and then applied these insights in a follow‑up project with social work and healthcare professionals. The aim was to foster critical reflection and dialogue on how to strengthen support for socially stigmatised women and their families within social work and healthcare settings. This was achieved through a combination of creative methods, including the use of neonate simulators and a lived‑experience‑based documentary film incorporating animation, delivered within workshop environments. Utilising these creative resources created a vital platform to critically reflect on practice around substance users and their children and identified the need for more joined-up approaches within social work [and healthcare] practice.