Construction of discretion-related characters in social work with persons with disabilities in Finland

This study explores characterisation regarding discretion in social work with persons with disabilities (PWD) in Finland. Discretion is conceptualised as a relational and institutional practice that is connected to narratives and conducted through relationships. The writings of six social workers and 36 clients about discretion in social work with PWD were analysed through characterisation. The research question was as follows: How do social workers and clients construct discretion-related characters for each other in their writings? Based on the findings, the characters were constructed regarding desired and undesired attributes. The discretion-related characters with desired attributes were a client at the centre of everything and a social worker advocating for a client, while the characters with undesired attributes were a social worker promoting the system and a client in inappropriate services. This study argues that the construction of characters is conducted through available material and narrative resources that matter for both the relationships and the discretion in social work with PWD.