Social Work Model Research Articles

Application of social work in meeting the Sustainable Development Goals for children: A case study from Abkhazia

Social work can be an effective tool in reaching the Sustainable Development Goals, specifically those concerning children and families such as ending poverty, hunger, promoting good health, wellbeing, peace, justice, and strong institutions. Now, more than ever, with the COVID-19 pandemic, social work has a crucial role in promoting the SDGs through communities that are suffering from illness, isolation, grief, economic despair and mental health illness, and particularly to support children. Using a case study from the post-conflict partially recognized state of Abkhazia, this article will discuss how strengthening and expanding the social work profession can support communities striving to meet Sustainable Development Goals related to child outcomes. We will present the general social work model of practice and training program developed in Abkhazia, in collaboration with UNICEF.

POSITIVE SOCIAL WORK APPROACH: THE SHIFT FROM “WORK” TOWARDS “SOCIAL”

Positive orientation has become widely recognized in many scientific fields during the last decade. Possible nature of positive orientation in social work could be derived from positive psychology. However this topic is just starting to be discussed and researched in Lithuania and other European countries. In this article the authors represent complementary social work approaches that are proved as effective in a contradiction to most applied and dominant in practice nowadays problem-oriented model of social work. Therefore, the aim of the article is to overview social work practices as a ground for starting modeling Positive Social Work (PSW). Literature analysis was employed to ground different approaches of social work and set the basis for possible Positive Social Work beginning.

POZITYVUS SOCIALINIS DARBAS: NUO PROBLEMINIO MODELIO LINK ASMENS STIPRYBIŲ UGDYMO

The article analyses theoretical development of positive social work approach via highlighted strengths of client. The professional social work compounds analysis of problematic relationships of individuals, families and communities, seek for social change and orientation towards maintenance of quality of life. Strength – oriented model is essential for its application towards vulnerable groups in pluralistic context of social work methods. It is discussed in the article that despite critics towards strength-oriented model, positive approach is fundamental basis for effective communication. Negative expectations, questions, and problem-based attitude impacts client’s attitude towards self, the same it changes attitude of social network towards the client, and it affects behavior and relationships. In such a case the relationships of social worker and client to be not mentioned by distance, control and different possibilities is hardly expected. This understanding gap will be much more noticeable if social worker empowers his knowledge to name and solve the problem. Therefore, social worker influences passiveness of client. The article discusses that strength-oriented social work model does not mean fulfilling all the dreams and wishes of client as well as any willingness of client is best for this client. The most essential aspects discussed in the article is seen via close collaboration of social worker and client as well as tight both-sided interaction. Positive social work is approached towards analysis of concrete choices of client instead of accentuation of disorder.

Understanding Islamophobia through the eyes of American Muslim children: Religious bullying and school social work interventions

AbstractIslamophobia and related incidents of hate‐crimes, religious discrimination and profiling are increasingly being researched to have adverse effects on Muslim adults and children alike. Rising episodes of anti‐Muslim religious bullying are being reported from schools, classrooms and playgrounds across the globe and, hence, need to be accounted for, recognized and mitigated. This study uses child‐participatory research methodology to understand experiences of American Muslim children regarding Islamophobia. It was conducted with 26 children participants (N = 26) studying in Grades 5–8, at an Islamic School in the United States. Drawings and semi‐structured focus group discussions were used for data collection. Findings revealed that Islamophobia should be characterized through a unique child‐centric lens, to recognize how it affects the lives of Muslim children. Narratives and silences of female participants highlighted how gendered Islamophobia has become so common for young Muslim girls that it has become ‘invisible.’ It was seen that children's perception of Islamophobia often becomes a projection of parental influences. Participants put forward resilience techniques, which pave ways for social work interventions with Muslim children. The study ends with a school social work model directed towards prevention and reduction of Islamophobia, which educators, schools and social workers can implement.

With new lenses. Transcultural consultation as a tool for multicultural social work. An exploratory case study in Italy

ABSTRACT This qualitative study explores how transcultural consultation is carried out in the social services of a local Italian area. Its purpose is to deepen our understanding of whether this methodology founded on the ethnopsychological approach can be useful in strengthening the cultural competency of social workers. Based on participant observations and semi-structured interviews, this paper illustrates how this tool helps practitioners become more aware of their values and implement more collaborative interventions, through which clients with migratory backgrounds can find a space for the expression and recognition of their internalised cultures. This paper additionally points out similarities and differences between this methodology and other cross-cultural social work models. Although transcultural consultation is conducted by psychotherapists, different application paths are proposed where even social workers can play an active role.

Social work indigenization in Mainland China: Towards a state-led decolonizing framework

Summary The tension between indigenizing versus internationalizing social work knowledge, resulting from local-specific sensitivity, has been a contemporary dispute in the Global South where there are diverse geo-historical backgrounds. This is the case in China, where the mainstream international narrative surrounding social work development has been configured by the normative values and knowledge of a Euromodern origin. Such misrepresentation rarely reflects indigenous voices from the local social work academy. Informed by Foucault’s thesis of power/knowledge, this article first compares the model of state social work in China and the world. Then, as a decolonizing project, a narrative review of 26 Chinese language articles was conducted. Findings Distinctive service and policy practices in the Chinese traditional helping system were identified to illustrate how western social work was ethnocentrically repositioned in the “post-socialist” China. These initiatives include micro-level “Civil Affairs” services, meso-level “mass work” practice, and macro-level “Minsheng” State and crossregional Pairing Aid Programs, which are rooted in the cultural (Confucianism), economical (socialist market economy), and political (Marxism) ecosystem in China. Applications Through an indigenized epistemological stance, a state-led anti-colonial framework is presented to unveil the making of social work indigenization and social welfare development that de-centers Eurocentric hegemony. To reorient social work knowledge apart from persistent neo-colonialism in the form of academic imperialism, social work development should be tailored into a locally responsive and geopolitically appropriate models in the non-western world.

Social Work and Diverse Models of Public Safety: Advocating with and on Behalf of African American Communities

Social Work and Diverse Models of Public Safety: Advocating with and on Behalf of African American Communities

СТАНОВЛЕННЯ ФЕНОМЕНУ СОЦІАЛЬНОГО ЛІДЕРСТВА У НАУКОВОМУ ПРОСТОРІ СОЦІАЛЬНОЇ РОБОТИ

The focus is on the relevance of the study of social leadership as a social phenomenon. It is determined that joint organization and management of socially significant activities on initiation of social changes and finding optimal means of their achievement are necessary to solve actual problems of theory and practice of social work within the framework of sustainable development of society. The specifics of the formation of the phenomenon of leadership in the context of different approaches and concepts are revealed, the most important leadership theories are structured and generalized as the need to take them into account in the study of theoretical and methodological principles of social leadership. In the course of covering the main aspects of the researched issue, the author concludes that the most promising direction for further study is the consideration of social leadership as a resource for improving the efficiency of social work in Ukraine. The interpretation of social leadership of social workers as an integrated personal formation is shown in the aspiration and ability of specialists to realize leadership potential in various spheres of social activity to improve the quality of social services provision to vulnerable categories of the population. The value and importance of practical use of the concept of social leadership for the most important key to the success of society. In the context of the study, the existence of the influence on the change of many educational benchmarks of professional training for the formation of social leadership in future specialists is revealed, since the modern practice of social work requires the involvement of social workers in the process of developing effective models of social work, providing innovative social services to vulnerable categories of the population, the introduction of administrative services of a social nature, interaction with the community.

Evolving two-generation services to disrupt the intergenerational effects of poverty and promote family well-being

How do social services disrupt the generational effects of poverty to help families flourish? To address this question, we highlight a less familiar, but resurgent, social work model known as two-generation services that avoids serving only individuals and instead orients around holistic family outcomes. Despite the optimism of leading think tanks and publicized exemplars, the prevalence of the two-generation approach is rare. To empower these initiatives with ideas to reach their potential, we synthesize two-generation principles with extant research and data with social service participants to identify gaps in service design and value creation that impede two-generation approaches. Analysis reveals entrenched skepticism and imbalanced polarities for families that participate in social service ecosystems. To stimulate progress against these imbalances, we synthesize insights from Family Systems Theory and Service-Dominant Logic to generate research propositions and practical insights for services seeking to reduce the intergenerational effects of poverty and promote family well-being.

The Digital Exclusion of Vulnerable Children: Challenge for Sustainability Issues in Czech Social Work Practice

The aims of this study are (1) to draw attention to the digital exclusion of vulnerable children as a systemic (socio-ecological) problem that is gaining momentum during emergencies; (2) to reflect the subjectively perceived readiness of social workers as one of the actors in the system, whose task is to contribute to the mitigation of risks arising from digital exclusion of the target group and to ensure the sustainability development of society; (3) from the position of the target group, to reflect the situation of their digital literacy and thus exclusion; and (4) to make recommendations to public policy makers and social workers to mitigate these risks and to promote sustainability. We draw on the socio-ecological model of social work which views a person in the context of their environment. The aim of the research was to analyze the use of information and communication technologies (ICTs) in social work with vulnerable children and their families and to detect system deficits contributing to digital exclusion. Based on a questionnaire survey (N = 105), interviews with representatives of the target group (N = 20), and expert interviews (N = 4), both the main shortcomings in the digital skills of employees and the needs of the target group were identified and systemic measures were proposed.

For women of colour in social work: black feminist self-care practice based on Audre Lorde’s radical pioneering principles

This article offers women of colour in social work a black feminist self-care practice based on three principles from Audre Lorde’s work. The colonial situation of social work inevitably marginalises black feminist thinking and methods. In the context of chronic racist denigration, generic social work models of recovery, reparation and resilience equate to complicity with intersectional racism. Social work values and ethics alone are not enough. A material shift in power relations is required. Black feminist self-care practice responds to the physical, material and emotional impacts of silence, exhaustion and vilification of feeling that women of colour encounter in their living. In a call for women of colour in social work to gather together for mutual sharing of experience, this article affirms the power of collective dialogues as the primary strategy of black feminist self-care practice.

Fidelity and influencing factors in the Systemic Practice Model of children's social care in Finland

• An adaptation of the RSW model was implemented nationwide in Finland. • There was high variability in fidelity both across sites and in the teams within them. • Despite the implementation challenges, social workers widely accepted the model. • The vague model description impeded the uptake of systemic practice in social work. • The model could be adopted in new settings with adequate implementation support. Given that multiple countries have recently adopted social work practice models in children’s services, it is striking that only a few studies have systematically analysed both the level of fidelity and potential implementation barriers and facilitators. The aim of this study is to provide an in-depth analysis of how and why the Reclaiming Social Work (RSW) model works in different settings. The study context was the implementation in Finland of an adaptation of the model, the Systemic Practice Model (SPM). This mixed-methods study evaluates 1) fidelity to the SPM and 2) the possible influencing factors. The results reveal high variability in the extent of fidelity in 23 implementation sites, and even among individual teams within the same site. A lack of clarity concerning systemic social work practice, insufficient training, and inadequate resources and leadership hindered the implementation, whereas coaching and positive experiences of the SPM were facilitating factors. In particular, the involvement of a clinician qualified in systemic family therapy was crucial in embedding the new approach. The relationship between the level of fidelity and the influencing factors worked both ways (e.g., low coverage was associated with a decrease in participant responsiveness, and vice versa). Given the complexity of children’s social care as an implementation environment, careful preparation and ongoing support are crucial in the implementation of practice models.

The ecosystem approach in health social work

The ecosystem approach in health social work

Indigenous or Blended Model for South Asian Social Work?

An argument about indigenous social work education often surfaces in South Asian schools of social work. In this study, central concerns around the indigenous argument, together with a review of the pervasive influence of the western model of social work in Asia is undertaken. The three author- research team, utilised a methodology that featured a desk review and an analysis of communications with select South Asian scholars and academics that were respondents for the study. Additionally, the authors present their personal reflections, that prudently address their positionality and reflexivity. The primary finding in this research paper is that the legacy of Western-influenced social work education is thriving within the region, despite criticism from different quarters about its effectiveness. The secondary finding is the admittance by respondent academics in Bangladesh, Sri Lanka, India and Nepal that relevant to their societal context, limited adaptations have been introduced and are working in their respective countries. The current research provided an opportunity to research participants to view and summarily reject claims by certain bogies that western influence in social work is solely responsible for lack of cultural appropriation within the curriculum in South Asia. The study suggests that there is a lot that can take place by way of adaptation without sacrificing the cultural elements while rearranging the social work curriculum within the region. The authors strongly advocate a blended approach as a suitable course of moderation in the re-construction attempts of social work futures in South Asia.

Applying critical systems thinking to social prescribing: a relational model of stakeholder \u201cbuy-in\u201d

BackgroundSocial prescribing (SP) allows health professionals to refer primary care patients toward health and wellbeing interventions and activities in the local community. Now widely implemented across the UK and adopted in other nations, questions arise concerning the modelling of present and future schemes, including challenges to full engagement encountered by stakeholders, which lie beyond the scope of traditional evaluations. Critical Systems Thinking (CST) allows for holistic analysis of fields where multiple stakeholders hold diverse interests and unequal power.MethodsWe use CST to (a) critically examine a developing rural social prescribing scheme from multiple stakeholder perspectives and (b) present a relational model for local social prescribing schemes. Our fieldwork included 24 in-depth interviews, regular planning meetings with key stakeholders, and discussions with those involved with national and international SP landscaping. A modified grounded theory approach was used for the analysis, and to consider the core elements of social prescribing sustainability.ResultsOur study confirms that local social prescribing schemes must operate with numerous stakeholder interests in mind, seeking to address real life social complexity and offer integrated solutions to multifaceted issues. Three main areas are discussed: holistic vision and boundary judgments; barriers and facilitators; relational issues and “emotional buy in”. Problems for staff include selecting suitable clients, feedback and technological issues and funding and evaluation pressures. Barriers for clients include health, transport and expense issues, also lack of prior information and GP involvement. Emotional “buy-in” emerged as essential for all stakeholders, but hard to sustain. Based on our findings we propose a positive relational model comprising shared vision, confidence and commitment; motivation and encouragement, support and wellbeing focus, collaborative relationships, communication and feedback, access to information /resources, learning in and from action, with emotional “buy-in” at its heart.ConclusionThose implementing social prescribing in different localities inevitably face hard choices about what and whom to include. Research on the sustainability of social prescribing remains limited, studies are required to ascertain which “holistic” models of social prescribing work best for which communities, who are the main beneficiaries of these approaches and how “buy-in” is best sustained.

Community Social Work in Ukraine: towards the Development of New Practice Models

The reorganization of social welfare due to the decentralization reform implemented in Ukraine calls for the development and implementation of new practice models of service delivery best suited for community social work. The research is dedicated to discussion of the development of new models of community social work from a Ukrainian perspective, taking into consideration the community social work and community social service delivery concepts given in the literature and community-based practice models implemented abroad. The article reviews the major competencies social workers need to provide services within the local communities. Implications for future research in the field of community social work are addressed in the concluding part of the paper.

The development of a culturally-appropriate marriage enrichment programme for black african married couples: overview of programmes

Development of knowledge on how to support marriages cross-culturally is necessary to inform appropriate solutions, especially for South Africa, where practical marital challenges amongst Black African married couples who are considered to be high risk are noted. The focus of this narrative literature-informed overview is to provide an appraisal of existing and most effective national and international marriage enrichment (ME) programmes, couples theories and social work models as the basis for the possible development of a culturally-appropriate ME programme for Black African married couples. Findings reveal, among other things: 1) there are no culturally-appropriate and empirically evaluated ME programmes beneficial to Black African married couples in SA; 2) appropriate theory is necessary and available for integration; 3) theories recognise marriage as a system, and therefore acknowledgement of various societal structures is fundamental; 4) existing empirically tested and effective programmes supporting couples theories and social work models are suitable to be adapted to the specific context.

THE DEVELOPMENT OF A CULTURALLY-APPROPRIATE MARRIAGE ENRICHMENT PROGRAMME FOR BLACK AFRICAN MARRIED COUPLES: OVERVIEW OF PROGRAMMES

Development of knowledge on how to support marriages cross-culturally is necessary to inform appropriate solutions, especially for South Africa, where practical marital challenges amongst Black African married couples who are considered to be high risk are noted. The focus of this narrative literature-informed overview is to provide an appraisal of existing and most effective national and international marriage enrichment (ME) programmes, couples theories and social work models as the basis for the possible development of a culturally-appropriate ME programme for Black African married couples. Findings reveal, among other things: 1) there are no culturally-appropriate and empirically evaluated ME programmes beneficial to Black African married couples in SA; 2) appropriate theory is necessary and available for integration; 3) theories recognise marriage as a system, and therefore acknowledgement of various societal structures is fundamental; 4) existing empirically tested and effective programmes supporting couples theories and social work models are suitable to be adapted to the specific context.

Empowering the team: A social work model of interprofessional collaboration in hospitals

Abstract Healthcare is increasingly delivered through interprofessional collaborations (IPC). The social work perspective of IPC is important to understand, as the profession has contributed to other interprofessional models, yet less is known about social workers’ actions within interprofessional teams. Using a grounded theory approach, this study examines the functioning of interprofessional teams through seven focus groups with social workers (n = 46) at six urban hospitals. Specifically, this study identifies the particular contributions of social work to collaborative healthcare teams and proposes a model of social work in interprofessional teams. The key finding was that social workers are Empowering Collaboration by Actively Communicating (building relationships, holding information, and filling gaps), Proactively Educating (training the team, advocating for patients, and teaching about systems) and Managing Risk (troubleshooting discharge and avoiding liability). Implications for research and practice with interprofessional teams are provided.

Challenges to the development of a health care practice model for hospital social work in India

ABSTRACT India has a long history of delivering a western model of social work despite being challenged by unique structural challenges, as well as demographic and social changes impacting the types of presentations to hospitals. This paper reports on a project that explored the professional roles of Indian social workers in hospital settings, and documented some of the critical factors that impede capacity to meet the demands of a changing health care system. Extracted themes from participants identified a lack of role descriptions, professional supervision, and national standards as contributing to a lack of confidence in asserting strong professional identity and contribution to patient care.