Service users' knowledges and social work theory: Conflict or collaboration?

So far, service users have not been systematically involved in social work theorizing. However, disabled people's movements, mental health service use rs/survivors and other service users have developed their own knowledges ba sed on direct experience and they have generated their own conceptual frame works and bodies of theory. There are fundamental problems in social work s eeking to interpret service user knowledges. Their development and interpre tation require the direct involvement of service users and their organizati ons in social work theorizing. There are strong practical, philosophical an d political arguments for involving the knowledges and theories of service users and their organizations in the process of social work theory-building . This paper considers an inclusive approach to social work theorizing. Whi le highlighting the importance of service users and their organizations bei ng effectively included in social work theorizing, it also argues the need for them to have support and opportunities to develop their own prior and s eparate discussions about theory, including social work theory.