Nature Of Social Work Practice Research Articles

Being, knowing and doing: aligning ontology, epistemology, and axiology to develop an account of social work as practice

This article takes as its starting point reflections from social work academics at a Scottish university around persistent tensions between the nature of social work practice and the ways in which social work students and social workers talk about it. Practice (perhaps by definition) is practical, whereas how it is spoken and written about often betrays instrumental, narrow or dated clinical orientations. Picking up on the International Federation of Social Workers (IFSW) definition of social work as a practice-based profession and drawing on the literature around the scholarship of teaching and learning (SOTL), we seek to (re)invigorate the case for social work as practice. We argue that this offers students and practitioners a conceptual framework through which they might articulate and validate what they do. We begin by critiquing current orientations to social work. We then come on to propose a broadly Aristotelean concept of practice. We make some suggestions for how this might better orient social work to the nature and demands of contemporary professionalism. We conclude by considering the implications of our argument for social work education and practice.

Protecting vulnerability. An international comparison of social workers as street-level bureaucrats during the COVID-19 lockdown

PurposeThe purpose of this article’s research was threefold. Firstly, it aimed to investigate how social services professionals coped during the pandemic period by comparing their involvement in five different national contexts. Secondly, it analysed how these professionals have performed their duties according to the street-level bureaucracy theory. Finally, the third question examines social workers' strategies to guide their professional role when they may have had more discretion in their actions. The research also examined whether discretion has increased during this phase and, if so, how it has been exercised.Design/methodology/approachThis article is based on the findings of the project called “Theory and Practice of Social Work in the World in Times of Pandemic”, which was funded by the International Association of Schools of Social Work (IASSW). The project involved 11 universities across five countries in Europe and Latin America, including Argentina, Brazil, Italy, Spain and Sweden. The research was conducted over 24 months to analyse the practices and measures taken to protect vulnerable people by adapting social services during the extraordinary period of the pandemic. In addition, the research explored how the awareness of emergency arose among social workers and how it influenced the services delivered from the perspective of the street-level bureaucracy theory. In different countries, the level of resourcefulness of services has varied based on their recognition of the severity of the pandemic and the impact of the government’s narratives. In some cases, these narratives have been conspiratorial or even anti-scientific. Additionally, there has been a reduction in the distance between professionals and clients, increased inequalities in access to services and a positive reassessment of the potential of new professional tools, such as digital social work, in establishing a trusting relationship.FindingsAs revealed in the interviews, the elements shaping this high degree of discretion among social workers can be classified into three levels: macro- and micro- (Saruis, 2015) plus a meso-level. Each level has four significant aspects. At the macro-level, these are legislation, public information, large associationism and integration of the social services-health system. At the meso-level, these are interpretations of role performance by managers technical equipment, self-organization and community action. The micro-level pertains to personal and family situations, emotions, ethics and social workers' direct relationships with those in charge.Research limitations/implicationsThis study investigated how social workers responded to the Covid-19 pandemic. The data gathered sheds light on their understanding of the situation, as well as the differences in experiences across the five countries studied. However, it is essential to note that the findings may not apply to all situations or countries. Nevertheless, this research serves as a stepping stone for future studies to delve deeper into the results and explore them in greater detail .Practical implicationsThe study highlights the crucial role of social workers as street-level workers in managing, negotiating and creating meaning in the interaction between professionals and the people they serve. This is especially relevant in Latin America. Additionally, the study emphasizes the significance of social workers as policy actors and the political nature of social work practice. The findings also underscore the importance of effective communication and collaboration between social workers, their teams and the organizations they work for. The sources cited in the study are Barberis and Boccagni (2014) and Cuadra and Staaf (2014). The research has also underscored the potential of social service workers to build networks and cooperate. Such networking can play a vital role in implementing their acquired knowledge. The study has, therefore, emphasized the importance of social workers being an integral part of the societies they serve. They need to continuously enhance their communication skills, using all the necessary tools to gain a comprehensive and updated understanding of the evolving needs of their clients. Integrating digital social work as a mode of service provision has emerged as a crucial aspect, especially in the three European countries observed. This approach has demonstrated its potential and is expected to continue being a part of services to some extent, even after the return to normalcy. However, it is essential to ensure that the accessibility and proximity of services are not compromised in any way.Social implicationsAn unexpected result was observed during the research: the pandemic circumstances have led to valuable reflections. These reflections can help in rethinking and recreating social services. Social workers have been given a unique opportunity to return to the essence of their profession and develop less bureaucratic and more humane ways of working. This experience has also enabled them to recover a closer relationship with the people they serve. To sum up, this study emphasizes that social workers, when given more leeway in their work, rely on cultivating and upholding relationships with other professionals, organizations and stakeholders to stay connected with the community they serve. This is crucial for ensuring the delivery of effective and sustainable social services.Originality/valueThe research employed a thematic analysis approach (Bazeley, 2007) to identify themes related to the concept of consciousness as derived from the field experiences of social workers. Additionally, an in-case and cross-case analysis method (Fereday and Muir-Cochrane, 2006) was used to connect themes related to individual experiences with those gathered from the overall experiences.

The Human Services: Practitioners’ Experiences of the 1960s, 1970s, 1980s & 1990s

ABSTRACT This article draws on four social work practitioners’ and a sociologist’s reflections on the political environments that influenced Australian social work and the human services from the 1960s–1990s. Utilising collective and mixed autobiographical-ethnography with a purposive sample, we examined the social forces and politico-economic contexts that have shaped social work practice. We focused on the impact of feminism, First Nations activism, and the rise of neoliberalism on policy, legislation and professionalism. The article also traced the evolution of service provision in Australia through key moments in the professional experiences of four of the authors who practiced during these respective periods. It offers unique reflections on the political and human histories that have shaped this sector. The recollection of the racist and sexist attitudes that at times predominated and the associated progressive struggles illustrated the interplay between dominant ideologies and the human services. These reflections highlighted the messiness and dynamism of social work practice within the services and its embeddedness in the social constructs of the time. They remind colleagues of the political nature of their work and the need to embed practice wisdom in the literary record for the benefit of the profession and future workers. IMPLICATIONS Change and advocacy for social justice from the 1960s onwards have moulded, shaped and transformed the nature of social work practice. Recalling the history of social work and the lived experiences of practitioners enriches our understanding of practice during the 1960s, 1970s, 1980s and 1990s and can add to the historical record. It is relevant for all social workers to reflect on how contemporary social work practice has evolved alongside broader social and politico-economic trends.

Unpacking evidence-based practice in social work education: a scoping review

ABSTRACT Social work practitioners play a significant role in society, supporting individuals, families, groups, and communities. To meet the goals of well-being and equity, social workers address life challenges, including substance addiction, maltreatment, mental health, and poverty, and are embedded in communities via hospitals, schools, and nonprofit and for-profit organizations. Thus, social work practice has a wide scope and requires comprehensive education. Given the complex nature of social work practice, it has the potential for bias and error resulting in poor user outcomes. Evidence-based Practice (EBP) has been widely identified as a framework to promote deliberate practice. However, the use of EBP in social work practice is lacking. This scoping review, therefore, explores the intersection of how EBP has been conceptualized and taught in social work education. A total of 49 manuscripts were included in the final qualitative content analysis. The results suggest an inconsistent and often conflicting conceptualization of EBP. Furthermore, teaching strategies are also inconsistent and may contribute to the lack of EBP utilization in practice. It is suggested that social work regulatory bodies consider addressing disparities in EBP conceptualization.

A Systematic Review of Social Work in General Practice: Opportunities and Challenges

ABSTRACT Purpose This study identified the nature of social work practice in primary health care and described the reported patient outcomes, benefits, challenges, and enablers of social work in general practice [GP] settings. Method A systematic literature review applying the Prisma framework was conducted. Results A total of 26 studies met the inclusion criteria. Social work practice in GP assists in delivering positive health outcomes for patients, improved patient care, offers value for money, and supports interdisciplinary teams. Identified challenges include funding impediments, organizational barriers, and a lack of understanding of and undervaluing the social work role. Discussion and Conclusions The review outlined the benefits of social work practice in GP practices; however, these must be further evidenced. Funding for social workers in primary health care was identified as a challenge when it was lacking, and as an enabler when it was available. Further research to evidence the patient outcomes and overall benefits, the fiscal value of social work and funding pathways in primary health care is recommended.

Marion Bogo, a Visionary, Innovator, and Leader: Reflecting on Her Groundbreaking Work on Simulation-Based Social Work Education

ABSTRACT This tribute article highlights Professor Marion Bogo’s groundbreaking work on simulation-based social work education. We highlight Professor Bogo’s lifetime commitment to enhancing social work education through research, mentorship, and innovation. Professor Bogo advanced the use of simulation with trained actors by implementing a structured and evidence-informed approach to competency development among social work students. For student assessment, Professor Bogo adapted the Objective Structured Clinical Examination (OSCE) for social work educators. She uniquely implemented a post-simulation reflection to assess the complex and contextual nature of social work practice. Through her extensive program of research, the evidence for simulation-based social work education has been well established and sets a foundation for future research on pedagogical innovations.

Neoliberal managed care and the changing nature of social work practice

Social workers are currently caught in a “structural bind” in which the field’s original normative mission, rooted in social justice and social change, is increasingly at odds with the reality of working in a hierarchical neoliberal managed care setting. While most practitioners are at risk of burnout under these strained conditions, not all will respond in the same way. This article considers the possibility that some practitioners will exhibit authoritarian character traits (e.g., submission to and unquestioned compliance with institutional rules) in conformity with the institutional setting of neoliberal managed care. Using the Maslach Burnout Inventory for Health Services Occupations (MBI-HSS) and Dunwoody and Funke’s Aggression-Submission-Conventionalism (ASC) authoritarianism scale, the authors explore the previously unexamined relationship between authoritarianism and burnout among a sample of 532 social workers in the US. As hypothesized, correlations between each of the MBI-HSS subscales and ASC subscales yielded an inverse relationship between authoritarianism and burnout.

Critical social work and competency practice: a proposal to bridge theory and practice in the classroom

ABSTRACTSocial work education in North America is increasingly focused on competency criteria and micro skills training for future practitioners. Market forces are transforming the nature of social work practice in Canada, and social work regulators are concerned about the lack of evidence-based competencies in social work education. Since the Controlled Act of Psychotherapy was proclaimed in 2017, social work practitioners are in a position to offer psychotherapy services; as a result, universities are under greater pressure to shift to competency-based learning that meets the requirements of a regulated profession. This has raised concerns about the narrowing focus on critical social work theory in preparing students for practice. The divergence between anti-oppressive and direct practice schools is widening with the result that many students have difficulty bridging the gap between critical theory and competency-based practice. This paper attempts to integrate both traditions by offering students a course that directly links critical analysis of structural barriers and client centered interventions. The course is part of a developing critical competency curriculum that focuses on methods of facilitating empowerment and change in the helping process by articulating key relational components between service user and practitioner from a critical-competency perspective.

Social work leadership revisited: participatory versus directive approaches during service system transformation

ABSTRACTA participatory leadership approach is congruent with social work values and has positive benefits in human service organisations on multiple levels. However, whether this approach is endorsed and practiced by social work leaders in the current government context is unclear. This article presents comparative findings across three children’s service agencies in Ontario, Canada, demonstrating the extent of participatory versus directive leadership approaches during government-mandated service system transformation. These findings emanated from a larger, qualitative, multiple case study. Findings are analysed illustrating the essential struggle between the professional nature of social work practice, and a business management logic. Implications for social work leadership practice and future research are noted.

THE EXTENT TO WHICH THE LESOTHO GOVERNMENT’S SOCIAL WELFARE PROGRAMMES ARE RESPONSIVE TO THE NEEDS OF RURAL RECIPIENTS

This paper examines the extent to which government social welfare programmes meet the needs of individuals in the rural areas in Lesotho. Data were collected from 100 social welfare recipients through a semi-structured questionnaire. The study was guided by four hypotheses using chi-square as a test of significance. The major results show that the government was providing a number of social welfare programmes that had a significant impact on lives. These notwithstanding, the insufficient transfers are discussed in the light of the African cultural values of sharing and reciprocity. The impact of the financial/economic crisis on recipients and the government in the area of social welfare is discussed. It is concluded that the government has not been able to provide sufficient social welfare benefits to its citizens. The weaknesses of the Department of Social Welfare and the unregulated nature of social work practice are highlighted and recommendations are suggested.

The dialectical stance in nurturing the Net Generation of social workers: The interplay of changeableness and unchangeableness

Abstract: Generational gap and different socio-economic context between social work students (and social workers) and clients hinder the sense-making of clients’ needs for rendering responsive services. Similarly, a generation gap is found between practice teachers (or fieldwork instructors) and social work students, which may affect the practice teaching and learning process. This current discussion addresses the challenges faced in training the Net Generation (born after 1980) of social work students. A dialectical stance – embracing the changeableness in pedagogy and the unchangeableness in the practical moral nature of social work practice – is proposed for preparing social work graduates to have the capability to practice for the good of human beings. Building on the findings of her previous study, the author illustrates this dialectical stance based on five pairs of practice teachers and their students in an exercise of pedagogical practice wisdom in social work practice teaching in Hong Kong. Implications for practice teachers are also drawn.

A Critical Approach to Human Growth & Development

Students of various ages and life stages, from a range of sociological contexts, with all manner of lived experiences are drawn to social work education and training. This assemblage of students can result in groupings which are richly diverse—learning landscapes that offer fresh insights, exposure to difference and access to change. Equally, social work education and training can evoke intra- and interpersonal conflicts, as students are presented with knowledge that they find ‘troublesome’ (Morgan, 2012, p. 220). It is within this context that A Critical Approach to Human Growth & Development stands out. Nicolson begins by clearly acknowledging the complex nature of the human condition, linking this to practice effectiveness by way of skilful decision making that is not only informed, but compassionate. One of the most notable features of the book is the way in which silo-type thinking that can lead to unhelpful polarities is challenged, proposing the ‘material-discursive-intra-psychic’ (MDI) (p. 5) perspective as a way of connecting understandings in a manner that reflects the whole person in context. It is a form of analysis that captures and contextualises the essence of a lived experience through critical thinking which ‘takes account of HGD in all its features, from the biological to the societal, while paying close attention to the ways in which socio-political-historical constructions of subjective knowledge interconnect with emotional experience’ (p. 65). Whilst the title or the content of the model might sound slightly verbose or complicated, discussions that follow in later chapters unpack the layers of the model as it is expertly applied to each of the life stages. The theoretical character of the text tethers the reader in a very real sense to the subject matter, with the chapters sequentially presenting the key phases of lifespan development, from infancy through to older adulthood. In addition, Nicolson cautions against thinking about development as ‘linear’ or solely relating to ‘age’ or ‘stage’ (p. 7), explaining it as ‘diverse’ and ‘complicated’ (p. 84). This inclusion serves as a reminder of the descriptive nature of social work practice as opposed to the prescriptive form it can often take (p. 260). Each chapter benefits from a set of ‘learning objectives’ that help to settle the reader into the respective themes that follow. Thereafter, historic and contemporary practice examples, pause-and-reflect exercises and further reading help to triangulate the learning experience. Nicolson draws attention to the significance of understanding the self and the other as separate yet mutually involved from the outset (p. 8)—an important theme which is maintained skilfully throughout much of the discussion. However, given that ‘questions remain … regarding not only what professional socialization to social work actually looks like, but also how it occurs and what components are most critical’ (Miller, 2013, p. 369), it might have been interesting, particularly in Chapter 3 when outlining ‘socialisation’ (p. 46), to have exploited the significance of this learning point further. Nevertheless, whether you are new to social work education and training, in practice or wishing to update Human Growth and Development curricula (Boylan and Ray, 2012), what Nicolson provides is a context in which to think deeply about what it means to be a human practitioner within human services, offering this in accessible and digestible chunks. Servings of learning that provide one with the time and tools to absorb what is being read and re-emerge from these learning encounters having been challenged, and indeed revitalised to engage proactively and creatively with the many unknowns that the human condition presents. A Critical Approach to Human Growth & Development is an enriching read—one that connects the reader not only to the content, but also to the essence of what ethical, informed and skilful social work practice looks like. This is not simply ‘another’ book on human, growth and development where the reader is a passive receiver of information; it is an academic text, an aide memoire and a resource for meaningful ‘reflective-relational’ practice (p. 109).

A Minority Report for Social Work? The Predictive Risk Model (PRM) and the Tuituia Assessment Framework in addressing the needs of New Zealand's Vulnerable Children.

This article examines the viability of the Risk Predictor Model (RPM) and its counterpart the actuarial risk assessment (ARA) tool in the form of the Tuituia Assessment Framework to address child vulnerability in New Zealand. In doing so, it suggests that these types of risk-assessment tools fail to address issues of contingency and complexity at the heart of the relationship-based nature of social work practice. Such developments have considerable implications for the capacity to enhance critical reflexive practice skills, whilst the introduction of these risk tools is occurring at a time when the reflexive space is being eroded as a result of the increased regulation of practice and supervision. It is further asserted that the primary aim of such instruments is not so much to detect risk, but rather to foster professional conformity with these managerialist risk-management systems so prevalent in contemporary Western societies.

ENHANCING STUDENTS' LEARNING IN SOCIAL WORK FIELD PRACTICUM

Social work education comprises an indispensable part ߝ the field practicum, as revealed in the curricula of social work degree programmes all over the world. Here the question is about the positivist curriculum design and fieldwork assessment, which reduces human understanding to matters of technicality. There is a growing discussion about the reflective paradigm – practice wisdom – in human professions, which may be deemed to be more desirable for accommodating the nature of social work practice. A four-dimension framework is developed for the epistemological understanding of practice wisdom, in order to guide research on unravelling how practice teachers exercise pedagogical practice wisdom in advancing students' learning. The findings reveal student factor that might hinder or facilitate practice teachers in bringing pedagogical practice wisdom to their teaching. Implications for those concerned with the enhancement of students' learning in social work field practicum, particularly social work educators, are discussed. 實習是全球社會工作訓練的核心一環，實証主義為本的課程設計及實習評估被受質疑。近年，另一個知識樣式 —— 實務智慧，於人本專業被廣泛討論。它較能兼容社會工作實務特性。作者建立一個四維知識概念架構，展示對實務智慧的理解，並研究實習導師如何使用教學實務智慧，從而為學生帶來良好學習。本文討論一些可促進或阻礙實習導師使用教學實務智慧的學生因素，目的是促進學生在實務上的學習。

Utilizing Video Conferencing to Introduce an International Perspective to Foundation Practice

Video conferencing has much potential to enrich international social work education. In this educational initiative, video conferencing was used to deliver a joint foundation social work practice class to students attending an MSW degree program both in the United States and in Ireland. Student feedback indicated that they gained an appreciation of the global nature of social work practice. They reported a deeper understanding of shared theoretical perspectives in relation to client engagement, and of the differences in many fields of practice. Students recommended additional opportunities for international discourse using both synchronous and asynchronous distance education methods.

Beyond Study Abroad: A Human Rights Delegation to Teach Policy Advocacy

Advancement of human rights is a core competency in the social work curriculum. Presented is a model to teach policy practice from a human rights perspective based on a violence-against-women delegation visit to Guatemala. Postdelegation policy advocacy responses included White House and State Department briefings on the problems, including femicide. Case examples of witnessed testimony about human rights violations, including rape, femicide, and human trafficking, reflect the unique and dynamic nature of social work practice in a global context. We link Council on Social Work Education core competencies in policy practice and human rights to experiential learning strategies used by the delegation and derive lessons learned to advance human rights education for the profession.

Social Work in a Digital Age: Ethical and Risk Management Challenges

Digital, online, and other electronic technology has transformed the nature of social work practice. Contemporary social workers can provide services to clients by using online counseling, telephone counseling, video counseling, cybertherapy (avatar therapy), self-guided Web-based interventions, electronic social networks, e-mail, and text messages. The introduction of diverse digital, online, and other forms of electronic social services has created a wide range of complex ethical and related risk management issues. This article provides an overview of current digital, online, and electronic social work services; identifies compelling ethical issues related to practitioner competence, client privacy and confidentiality, informed consent, conflicts of interest, boundaries and dual relationships, consultation and client referral, termination and interruption of services, documentation, and research evidence; and offers practical risk management strategies designed to protect clients and social workers. The author identifies relevant standards from the NASW Code of Ethics and other resources designed to guide practice.

Getting a grip on social work

This paper describes the visceral nature of social work practice from a more subjective and personal point of view, using a case study involving three small children who I have worked with. The youngest boy was removed from his parent's care by social services at 9 days old for serious non-accidental injuries, which were caused by his mother, although further assessment showed that this was within a household where the father was also sexually abusing the other two children. I will describe the work I undertook in a multi-agency team with this family although the information in the case study is an amalgamation of a number of families I have worked with as a social worker over the years. I hope to describe the maddening dynamics social workers face when assessing difficult family situations and almost unthinkable subjects such as female aggression, the denial of reality, the confusing dynamics of lies and the terror of sexual abuse.

Hospital Length of Stay: Social Work Services as an Important Factor

In earlier studies it was found that the severity of patients' psychosocial problems was a significant predictor of length of stay (LOS). This current study compared predictors of LOS for samples of patients referred to social services in three large urban hospitals in June–October 2002 (n = 176) and 2006 (n = 147), and examined changes in patient characteristics and the nature of social work practice. A significant relationship between psychosocial severity and LOS was again found, confirming the important role that social services can potentially play in controlling hospital costs. Some significant changes were also found in the pattern of social work practice; this was generally in the direction of more community consultation and collaboration, suggesting a greater emphasis on multidisciplinary teamwork.

Assessment and Formulation: A Contemporary Social Work Perspective

Assessment and formulation, the gathering of information about a client, and the conceptualization of the client or situation are the essential elements that mark a thoughtful approach to client care. This process has been shaped over time by changes in orientations to knowledge, new theories, new practices, and political and institutional pressures. Currently, there is an intense debate concerning the nature of social work practice, especially the assessment and formulation process. In this context, we review traditional approaches to formulation in light of contemporary understandings and trends. We present a model for formulation that highlights multiple ways of knowing and includes ecological, cross-cultural, psychodynamic, systemic, biological, and spiritual components. Social justice is the value that is foundational to the process.