SHARE Model
The SHARE Model is a contemporary social work framework developed by
Siobhan Maclean, Jo Finch and Prospera Tedam to promote reflective, humanistic
and relationship-based practice. Unlike models that focus primarily on
assessment or intervention, the SHARE Model provides a holistic approach to
thinking, learning and practising social work by emphasising the importance of
using the senses, critical reflection and collaboration. The model recognises that
effective social work is not simply about following procedures but about
engaging meaningfully with individuals, families and communities while
integrating professional knowledge, values and reflection. Within social work, the
SHARE Model supports person-centred, anti-oppressive and evidence-informed
practice by encouraging practitioners to combine observation, communication,
action and evaluation throughout the helping process.
The SHARE Model was introduced in 2018 in response to concerns that
contemporary social work had become increasingly dominated by bureaucracy,
managerialism and procedural approaches. Maclean, Finch and Tedam argued
that social work risked losing its relational and humanistic foundations as
practitioners faced growing administrative demands and organisational
pressures. They developed the model to reposition social work around
professional relationships, reflective practice and the inclusion of diverse voices,
including service users, carers, practitioners, managers and educators. The
authors also sought to create a model that could be applied across different
fields of practice and social work education.
The acronym SHARE represents five interconnected components: Seeing,
Hearing, Action, Reading and Evaluation. Rather than being a sequence of
separate stages, these components operate together throughout the social work
process and continually inform one another.
Seeing refers to careful observation. Practitioners use visual awareness to notice
behaviours, emotions, relationships, environmental conditions and non-verbal
communication. Observation extends beyond simply looking at people and
includes recognising strengths, risks, cultural factors and the wider context in
which individuals live.
Hearing involves active listening and genuinely hearing the voices of service
users, carers and other professionals. The model emphasises that social workers
The SHARE Model is a contemporary social work framework developed by
Siobhan Maclean, Jo Finch and Prospera Tedam to promote reflective, humanistic
and relationship-based practice. Unlike models that focus primarily on
assessment or intervention, the SHARE Model provides a holistic approach to
thinking, learning and practising social work by emphasising the importance of
using the senses, critical reflection and collaboration. The model recognises that
effective social work is not simply about following procedures but about
engaging meaningfully with individuals, families and communities while
integrating professional knowledge, values and reflection. Within social work, the
SHARE Model supports person-centred, anti-oppressive and evidence-informed
practice by encouraging practitioners to combine observation, communication,
action and evaluation throughout the helping process.
The SHARE Model was introduced in 2018 in response to concerns that
contemporary social work had become increasingly dominated by bureaucracy,
managerialism and procedural approaches. Maclean, Finch and Tedam argued
that social work risked losing its relational and humanistic foundations as
practitioners faced growing administrative demands and organisational
pressures. They developed the model to reposition social work around
professional relationships, reflective practice and the inclusion of diverse voices,
including service users, carers, practitioners, managers and educators. The
authors also sought to create a model that could be applied across different
fields of practice and social work education.
The acronym SHARE represents five interconnected components: Seeing,
Hearing, Action, Reading and Evaluation. Rather than being a sequence of
separate stages, these components operate together throughout the social work
process and continually inform one another.
Seeing refers to careful observation. Practitioners use visual awareness to notice
behaviours, emotions, relationships, environmental conditions and non-verbal
communication. Observation extends beyond simply looking at people and
includes recognising strengths, risks, cultural factors and the wider context in
which individuals live.
Hearing involves active listening and genuinely hearing the voices of service
users, carers and other professionals. The model emphasises that social workers
