Is it ethical to use social work techniques on family and friends?

84% YES - 16% NO

I’d rather someone use social work skills with me than be a horrible friend,” says Danny Baker, a social worker based in the north west of the UK.

He adds: “Many social work techniques are just good life and people skills to be fair, so I see no reason why not.

“I’m not even sure how much of it is conscious though. Social work skills change how you interact and see life. I completely switch off from work when I’m not at work, so if I do it, it’s not conscious.”

Helen Hall, of Hexham in Northumberland, completely agrees, saying: “It’s ingrained in you! I assess everyone when I meet them without realising!”

Amanda Mole, of Florida, says: “First thing that comes to mind is interpersonal effectiveness and I can’t imagine why I wouldn’t use those skills with friends and family (and the weird neighbour, and the annoying coworker, and the kid who asks me why my hair looks like that).”

Kimberly Janse Biding went one step further, crediting her social work skills with helping to maintain her marriage.

“PRETTY SURE IT HAS SAVED MY MARRIAGE MANY, MANY TIMES,” THE SOCIAL WORKER, OF ONTARIO CANADA, QUIPPED.

“Being able to draw on my social work background has helped me resolve conflict, be empathetic, and listen when I should listen instead of talking when I should not be talking.”

Pip Tuipulotu, of Australia, knows something of this too, adding: “I HAVE HAD ENOUGH OF YOUR JEDI MIND TRICKS - my husband, 2008. “Note we are still married.”

Cathal Lynch, of Cheltenham, Gloucestershire, says: “I find a strategy meeting is an effective way to decide who cooks Christmas dinner,” while Amy Langman threw the responsibility back at her family and friends, adding: “I say, if they keep treating us like their personal social workers, why not?!"

Kayleigh Rose Evans, a social worker and academic based in Lancashire, revealed there are times and places for this, explaining: “The act of being in situations where it can be a matter or life or death whether you manage to elicit information or build rapport in practice, makes you very good at asking questions in a certain way. I can quickly get information from people.

“Although often essential in high-risk situations, I don’t feel this is always ethical in my private life. I find myself being very transparent with my friends and family to ensure they only tell me things they are happy for me to know.”

LINDA JANE BURGESS, OF NEW SOUTH WALES, AUSTRALIA, SAYS: “IT’S VERY HARD NOT TO USE SOCIAL WORK TECHNIQUES IN EVERY SETTING.

“I usually refer to my social work background, and often will say “this is not something I would say to a client” when I put my ‘friend’ hat on.

Carie Roberts, of Australia, says: “I case-managed my separation and still am, I social work my kids, and they’re very emotionally intelligent. It’s why I’m a social worker, it comes naturally.”

But while most social workers admitted they happily use their social work training in their personal lives, Susan Seahorse, from the East Midlands, warned: “My issue is when I catch my social worker friends using it on ME!”