From compassion to action: school social workers at the forefront of emergency response

Abstract

ABSTRACT This study aims to investigate the role of school social workers in emergencies within educational settings. Using a semi-systematic methodology, it identifies relevant research to provide a comprehensive overview of literature covering school social work and emergency interventions. Through an analysis of 22 articles representing diverse global perspectives, this study sheds light on the intricate interplay within these domains. Its significance lies in revealing current knowledge while pointing to unexplored avenues for practitioners and researchers. By examining the experiences and strategies of school social workers, this study uncovers the dynamic approaches employed during emergencies, providing essential insights for effective emergency management. Social capital is widely employed when seeking to understand resilience and vulnerability in times of natural hazards and man-made disasters and crises. In this paper, a social capital perspective, broken down into bonding, bridging, and linking levels, is applied to the results. This enables an analysis that argues for the importance of adopting a systemic approach. The results show that social workers in schools play a vital role in all phases of disaster and crisis management. While the majority of research focuses on the response after an event has occurred, the findings from the reviewed articles also indicate the importance of involvement in the preparation and planning phases. These findings underscore the importance of social workers having an understanding of education, psychology, and community well-being. More research and education about the readiness and preparedness of school social workers in the Nordics is required.