Efficacy in working with migrant families in child welfare services: influencing factors

Abstract

ABSTRACT The Child Welfare Services (CWS) practitioners’ cultural competence in service provision influences the practice and decision-making, and thus outcomes for migrant children and families. This study investigates social workers’ confidence in delivering culturally sensitive services in Norway and assesses the main influencing factors by examining the relationship between self-efficacy and personal and work-related resources. In this study, a Self-efficacy Scale was developed to assess professionals’ beliefs in their capability to work with migrant families. The scale was administered through a questionnaire to child welfare workers in Norway (N = 251), and the reliability of the scale measured by Cronbach's alpha coefficient was .904. The data were analysed using univariate statistics, correlations, and multiple regressions. The study shows that practitioners’ level of efficacy in working with migrant families is high. Experience, training, and access to services with cultural expertise were the main contributing factors to confidence in delivering culturally sensitive services in CWS. The findings add to an emerging body of research exploring welfare services providers’ efficacy in service provision and highlight the need for recognising professional experience and training needs as well as developing and strengthening collaboration with culturally sensitive services in advancing the cultural competence within CWS’ practice.