Social Welfare Office Research Articles

Treatment of child offenders under the Child Rights Law of Lagos State in some selected custodial institutions

The main objective of this study was to assess the care of children and child offenders in particular under the Child Rights Law (CRL) of Lagos State in some selected custodial institutions. The study adopted a triangulation approach to collect both primary and secondary data from four purposefully selected Special Correctional Centres between 7th July and 30th September, 2013. Social welfare officers in charge of these custodial institutions were interrogated. Findings revealed that only two Special Children’s Centres had child offenders. Other results include poor living conditions, inadequate recreational facilities, regular visits from parents/guardians and formal and informal education as stipulated in section 52 and 224 (1) of CRL respectively. Major challenges were poor data base, poor security of the premises, shortage of skilled staff and lack of funds and awareness of the services of custodial institutions. Organisation of awareness campaigns, recruitment and capacity building for staff, improvement of living conditions to meet the CRL standard, among others, are recommended.

Serious shortcomings in assessment and treatment of asylum seekers' mental health needs.

BackgroundThe prevalence of psychological complaints is known to be very high in populations of asylum seekers. Despite this, data on the health care system’s ability to adequately meet these high-risk populations’ mental health needs are scarce. This article investigates how well the German outpatient health care system is able to detect and adequately treat them.MethodsTo this end, we combined data from a cross-sectional survey with billing data from the local social welfare office from the year 2015. Using descriptive statistics, the data of the cross-sectional study are used to quantify the psychological health care needs of asylum seekers while the secondary data analysis indicates the actual access to and extent of psychological treatment.ResultsIn the cross-sectional study, 54% of patients were screened positive for symptoms of depression, 41% for symptoms of anxiety disorder and 18% for symptoms of Posttraumatic Stress Disorder. In total, 59% were screened positive for at least one of these three disorders. However, when contrasting these screening-based prevalences with the prevalences based on data from the health care system, a mismatch becomes apparent: According to the social welfare office’s billing data, only 2.6% of asylum seekers received the diagnosis of depression, 1.4% were diagnosed with anxiety disorder and 2.9% with Posttraumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD). In combination, 4.9% were diagnosed with at least one of these three disorders. Overall, less than one tenth of asylum seekers with symptoms of depression, anxiety or PTSD received the corresponding diagnosis by the health care system. Among those who were diagnosed, about 45% received no treatment at all, while 38% were treated with drugs alone. Only 1% of all patients received psychotherapy.ConclusionsPsychological complaints are very common among asylum seekers, yet only a small proportion of this population receives the corresponding diagnoses and treatment. While various factors can contribute to these shortcomings, there is an urgent need to systematically address this deficit and introduce measures to improve mental health care for this high-risk population.

Shaping access to health care for refugees at the local level in Germany

Abstract Background In Germany, the federal states and even the municipalities have considerable scope for shaping implementation of national health policies for newly arrived refugees, including in the way they organize access to health services. We analysed how gatekeepers can shape access to health care at the local level, exploring access models in six municipalities in the federal state of North Rhine-Westphalia. Methods We assessed the implementation of local access models and the consequences for access for refugees. Our study covered three municipalities with a health care voucher model and three with an electronic health card model. We combined data from official reports and from 21 semi-structured interviews with gatekeepers. Results Our research illustrates how gatekeepers at the local level can shape and facilitate access to health care for refugees, irrespective of the access model chosen. Larger municipalities are more likely to implement an electronic health card model. Gatekeepers report that costs, workload and control are the major aspects underlying the choice of model in municipalities. Access plays only a minor role, although some gatekeepers claim that the electronic health card model can improve access. Conclusions National health policies can support gatekeepers in their role as facilitators, such as through financial incentives or a minimum amount of bureaucracy. They can also allow newly arrived refugees to become members of the statutory health insurance system, which would relieve social welfare offices and general practitioners (GPs) from their role of gatekeepers.

Access to Health Care After the Introduction of the Electronic Health Card: Views of Refugee Patients

Access to healthcare for newly arrived refugees and asylum seekers is organised differently in the municipalities throughout Germany, both with regard to the organisation of support services and the choice of an access model (electronic health card/eHC or healthcare voucher/HcV). Some German states and municipalities have introduced the eHC model in the last years. Using the example of North-Rhine Westphalia (NRW), Germany's largest state, we analyse how access to healthcare is organised from the point of view of refugees and what role the healthcare model (eHC vs. HcV) plays for their access to healthcare. In 3 municipalities in NRW (2 with HcV and one with eHC), 31 interviews were conducted with refugees at 2 points in time (duration of stay in Germany ≤ 15 and > 15 months) in order to account for the different legal entitlements to healthcare. To include different perspectives and challenges, we ensured maximum variation of the interview partners with regard to age, gender, chronic diseases, pregnancy and parenthood. The interviews were conducted with the support of interpreters. The transcripts of the interviews were evaluated using computer-assisted content analysis (atlas.ti 8). In municipalities with a HcV model, the approval process at the social welfare office leads to additional waiting time for (continued) treatment. The more direct access through the eHC model and the elimination of entitlement restrictions after 15 months of stay can facilitate access to care, especially for chronically ill refugees. Initial contact with the health system is usually facilitated by social workers, friends or family members. The eHC model can facilitate access for refugees with higher healthcare needs. Further access barriers, such as the limited availability of interpreters, exist independently of the access model.

Effects of Work-Family Conflict among Public Social Welfare Officers on Turnover Intentions - Focus on the Mediating Effects of Exhaustion and Job Satisfaction -

Effects of Work-Family Conflict among Public Social Welfare Officers on Turnover Intentions - Focus on the Mediating Effects of Exhaustion and Job Satisfaction -

A Study on the Job Stress of Social Welfare Officials and Administrative Officials

A Study on the Job Stress of Social Welfare Officials and Administrative Officials

Unregulated Social Work Practice in Botswana: A Risk to Professional Integrity and Clients’ Welfare

Through professional regulation, the aspirational goals of the Code of Ethics is to become a legal obligation with enforceable accountability for public protection. The professional regulation does not only protect the public but also gives integrity and respect to the profession. Social workers are licensed and they always know that malpractice may lead to losing their registration and licenses. The above is a reality in many countries, while in Botswana, after 74 years since the first social welfare officer started to work in the welfare department, the country has not yet established any regulatory body. Even though the regulation might not be a guarantee for ethical practice, but it is better to have a framework that can be used to regulate in terms of monitoring and evaluating practice. The education and practice of social work is unregulated and has left a vacuum where, anybody who government deems to be eligible can be employed as social worker. The above statement is buttressed by the Children’s Act, 2009 section 2, which says, ‘a social worker is a person who holds a qualification in social work, or such other qualification as may be prescribed, and is employed as such by government or such other institution as maybe approved under this Act and any other law’. This has brought challenges in dealing with values, principles and standards of social work, teaching and practice in Botswana [1]. The complaint is that social workers are unprofessional and not adhering to their own code of conduct. From the complaints, the assumption is that social work has a code of conduct as a heling profession. The reality is there is no code of conduct and there is no licensure in Botswana. This paper is a narrative of examples of cases where social workers were deemed not adhering to their professional ethics and not providing service to the most vulnerable at the time of need. These stories are used as a yardstick to argue for the establishment of an ACT of parliament which will establish the council of social work. The council will be a regulatory body of social work.

MANAJEMEN PEMBERDAYAAN ANAK JALANAN (Studi pada Yayasan Rumah Singgah Anak Mandiri Lappan di Ambon)

This study aims to determine how the management of street children's empowerment at the Ambon Lappan Children's Independent Shelter.This is a qualitative descriptive study which provides an in-depth overview of certain social symptoms found at the Ambon Lappan Children's Independent Shelter.The data source in this study is the manager of a halfway house, street children at a halfway house and an official from the Ambon City Social Welfare Office. Analysis of the data used is descriptive qualitative by quoting information then presented narratively and then interpreted and made general conclusions. The results showed that the Ambon Lappan Street Street Children 's Shelter Home in Ambon had carried out management factors including planning, implementation and evaluation. In addition, the management is flexible and is run in the coordination pa

Dental Care for Asylum-Seekers in Germany: A Retrospective Hospital-Based Study.

Background: The growing immigration to Germany led to more patients whose medical needs are divergent from those of the domestic population. In the field of dental health care there is a debate about how well the German health system is able to meet the resulting challenges. Data on asylum-seekers’ dental health is scarce. This work is intended to reduce this data gap. Methods: We conducted this retrospective observational study in Halle (Saale), Germany. We included all persons who were registered with the social welfare office (SWO) in 2015 and received dental treatments. From the medical records, we derived information such as complaints, diagnoses, and treatments. Results: Out of 4107 asylum-seekers, the SWO received a bill for 568 people. On average, there were 1.44 treatment cases (95%-CI: 1.34–1.55) and 2.53 contacts with the dentist per patient (95%-CI: 2.33–2.74). Among those, the majority went to the dentist because of localized (43.2%, 95%-CI: 38.7–47.7) and non-localized pain (32.0%, 95%-CI: 27.8–36.2). The most widespread diagnosis was caries (n = 469, 98.7%, 95%-CI: 97.7–99.7). Conclusion: The utilization of dental care is lower among asylum-seekers than among regularly insured patients. We assume that the low prevalence rates in our data indicate existing access barriers to the German health care system.

Informal foster care practice in Anambra State, Nigeria and safety concerns

Childcare is a concern for governments across the world, and could be unique in diverse cultural climes. An aspect of childcare is foster care, which is largely informal in Nigeria and portends opportunities for child abuse. Our study offers ideas that would guarantee the safety of children within the informal foster care net, since the Nigerian government is yet to commit to the project of formalizing foster care. We investigated informal foster care practice in two local government areas of Anambra State, Nigeria using Key Informant Interviews (KIIs). Data were sourced from 32 persons comprising social welfare officers, parents and relatives of children in foster care, the fostered children and their foster parents or guardians. We analysed data thematically. Our findings disclosed that while the informal foster care practice can account for some developmental interests, it also created opportunities for abuse. To enhance the safety of children in informal foster care, the roles of the social welfare agencies housed in the headquarters of every local government area in Nigeria were found to be of significant importance. We concluded by recommending that interventions must be culturally sensitive so as to appeal to the people.

Awareness of Vulnerability of Communities on Natural Disaster & Psychosocial Services of the Local Government Units in the Province of Albay, Philippines

This study investigated the awareness of respondents on the vulnerability of the communities on natural disasters in the province of Albay, the experiences of the community, means of public information, professional experts, and psychosocial services offered by different Local Government Units (LGUs). The study used nonprobability sampling to identify the person in authority in the provincial level. Data from the initial interview were used to pinpoint the participants from the Municipal Social Welfare and Development (MSWD) office, Rural Health Unit (RHU), and Office of the Mayor of the different LGUs for the Focus Group Discussion (FGD). Out of the FGD, communities and families were identified for validation of outcomes. Recall interview was utilized to gather information rooted from phenomenological experience on natural disasters, specifically Typhoon Reming (Typhoon Durian) and Mayon Volcano eruptions. Respondents came from the most affected communities in Ligao, Legazpi, Tabaco, Daraga, Camalig, Guinobatan, Polangui, and Sto. Domingo. The study revealed that some of those affected by the disaster experienced signs of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). Data showed the need for more experts in post-disaster recovery and mental health to make intervention activities, like psychological first aid and debriefing. The study concluded that communities surrounding Mayon Volcano and areas located in the east coast of the province are highly vulnerable to natural disasters, specifically eruption, and storm surge. There is also a shortage of professionals in the LGUs who are engaged in psychosocial concerns. Opening permanent positions in the LGUs, retraining and upgrading of practicing professionals, strong linkages with academic institutions; other government agencies—such as the Department of Health (DOH), Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD), and Department of Education (DepEd)—and NGOs; and opening and promoting degree programs nursing, psychology, social work, human services, and guidance and counselling are recommended to supplement the need for professional experts.

사회복지전담공무원의 클라이언트 폭력 경험이 외상 후 스트레스 장애(PTSD)에 미치는 영향에서 우울과 사회적 지지의 조절 효과

사회복지전담공무원의 클라이언트 폭력 경험이 외상 후 스트레스 장애(PTSD)에 미치는 영향에서 우울과 사회적 지지의 조절 효과

A Study on The Experience and Perception of Social Welfare Officer s Job Performance by Strengthening of Visiting Community Service

A Study on The Experience and Perception of Social Welfare Officer s Job Performance by Strengthening of Visiting Community Service

The effect of information system utilization and education and training on organizational innovation in public social welfare officers: Focused on the moderating effect of organizational trust

AbstractThe purpose of this study is to investigate the impact of information system utilization and education and training on organizational innovation for public social welfare officers in Seoul and verify whether organizational trust plays a role as a moderator variable in these relationships. First, information system utilization and education and training have positive effects on organizational innovation. Second, as a result of investigating the moderating effects of organizational trust, organizational trust has a positive effect on the relationship between information system utilization and organizational innovation, as well as education and training and organizational innovation. Therefore, it is found that information system utilization and education and training are important for innovation of public welfare service. The stronger relationship we have, the higher organizational trust we acquire. Therefore, in order to innovate the organization, it is necessary to strengthen the education training that can utilize the network and the expertise to share information and communicate. It is also necessary to focus on enhancing organizational trust such as mutual consideration, information sharing, and assistance within an organization.

Does the ehealth card facilitate access to healthcare from the point of view of refugees in Germany?

Abstract Background The municipalities in the federal state of North Rhine-Westphalia (NRW) decide autonomously how to organize access to health care for refugees: either with electronic health card (eHC model) or with health care voucher (HcV model). The eHC model is often expected to facilitate access to health care and to reduce bureaucratic barriers. However, there are only few analyses of how refugees perceive the two models and their corresponding access to health care. Methods A total of 28 problem-centered interviews with refugees were conducted in three municipalities in NRW (two with HcV and one with eHC model). Sampling was purposive, aiming to achieve a maximum variation of interview partners with regard to age, gender, chronic illnesses, pregnancy and parenthood. The interviews were conducted with the support of translators in the language of the respondents’ choice. Interviews transcripts were evaluated by content analysis using the software atlas.ti. Results Refugees using both the eHC and HcV models report mostly positive experiences when seeking care - both in terms of treatment and interaction with physicians or non-medical staff. The first contact with the health care system was rarely organized by refugees themselves in both models, but mostly with the support of social workers, friends, or family members. The main perceived difference between the models was that in the HcV model, urgent treatment required additional waiting time. Conclusions Access to care is assessed similarly well by refugees in all municipalities. The additional approval process for treatment by the social welfare office in HcV municipalities may lead to a delayed treatment. Formal and informal support is particularly important for newly arriving refugees to help them navigate the complex German health system. Key messages The implementation of one access model alone does not facilitate access to health care for refugees. Formal and informal support is necessary for refugees to gain access to the health system.

Factors and effects of work-related stress and burnout on the well-being of social workers in the Eastern Cape province, South Africa

Orientation:Work-related stress and burnout among social workers are on the rise because of extensive workload, job dissatisfaction and exposure to traumatic situations. Therefore, one should determine how they impact the well-being.Research purpose: This study determined the factors and effects of work-related stress and burnout on the well-being of social workers.Motivation for the study: An alarming number of social workers show no compassion towards the clients owing to burnout. Therefore, more research is needed for social workers to enhance their purpose and work engagement.Research approach/design and method: This qualitative study was designed from an interpretivist perspective. Fourteen social workers, aged 35–59 years, from two Department of Social Development and Welfare offices (Alice and King Williams Town) selected through purposive sampling participated in the study. Data were gathered by means of focus group interviews and grounded theory was applied for data analysis.Main findings: The study results confirmed that social workers attributed their work-related stress to lack of resources such as transport, computers and inadequate emotional support from their supervisors. Thus, they demonstrated impaired personal strength and poor human relations.Practical/managerial implications: To achieve commitment and optimism, there should be recruitment of new staff and salary increase for social workers.Contribution/value-add: The study results should provide coping strategies for social workers when faced with secondary traumatic stress.

A Study on The Experience and Perception of Social Welfare Officer s Job Performance by Strengthening of Visiting Community Service

A Study on The Experience and Perception of Social Welfare Officer s Job Performance by Strengthening of Visiting Community Service

The Impact of Perceived Moral Leadership Behavior on Citizenship Rights and Organizational Cynicism

Background and Aim : In the 21 century, organizations are evolving rapidly and with an ethical leadership approach can promote employee citizenship rights and decrease cynicism. This study aimed to determine the effect of perceived ethical leadership behavior on organizational cynicism and citizenship rights. Materials and Methods: In this descriptive-correlational study, the statistical population consisted of the employees of cooperative, labor and social welfare offices of Guilan province in 2016, with Using Cochran formula, 230 people were selected by simple random sampling. The questionnaires of Sharif and Islamiyah’s citizenship rights, Yilmaz's ethical leadership behaviors, and Brandes et al's attitude of employees were used to collect data. Data were analyzed using Pearson correlation and regression tests by SPSS 22 software. Findings: Perceived ethical leadership behavior had a positive effect on citizenship rights and a negative effect on employee cynicism (p=0.05). That is, climate ethics, ethics in decision making, behavioral ethics, and communication ethics have a positive impact on, and enhance citizenship rights, as well as perceived ethical leadership dimensions reduce organizational cynicism. Conclusion: According to the findings, adopting ethical leadership measures promotes organizational performance and productivity by promoting citizenship rights and reducing organizational cynicism. It is suggested that leaders of organizations, by adopting an ethical leadership approach, promote citizenship rights and reduce cynicism in their organization's employees and ensure the organization's stability, survival and progress. Please cite this article as: Habibi R. The Impact of Perceived Moral Leadership Behavior on Citizenship rights and Organizational Cynicism. Bioethics Journal 2019; 9(31): 9-20.

PENGARUH KEMAMPUAN KOMUNIKASI INTERPERSONAL PENDAMPING SOSIAL DENGAN ANGGOTA KELOMPOK USAHA BERSAMA TERHADAP KINERJA USAHA EKONOMI PRODUKTIF DI KOTA BANJARMASIN

Sosial assistant interpersonal communication is a process of interpersonal interaction is done by social assistant with members of the Business Group (KUBE) in developing productive economic activities in the city of Banjarmasin by using verbal and non-verbal communication. Thesis research method is quantitative research. Place of research conducted in the city of Banjarmasin.The research objective was to determine whether there is influence interpersonal communication skills are built between social companion with members UsahaBersama Group (KUBE) in developing productive economic activities in the city of Banjarmasin.Our research found that there is a significant relationship between interpersonal communication skills with a social companion KUBE members in developing productive economic activities in the city of Banjarmasin through a cognitive approach. There is influence between interpersonal communication skills with a social companion KUBE members in developing productive economic activities in the city of Banjarmasin through emotional approach. There is a relationship between the ability -komunikasi interpersonal social companion with KUBE members in developing productive economic activities in the city of Banjarmasin fun approach.Suggestion of this research to the Social Welfare Office of South Kalimantan Province should be better in fostering the social companion and member of the Joint Business Group (KUBE) that will be established good cooperation in developing productive economic activities that already exist for more advanced and developed. Need further research to determine other factors that could affect the development of productive economic activities of members of the Joint Business Group (KUBE). Keywords: Interpersonal Communication, Member of KUBE, Banjarmasin

Combating Street Children in Tanzania: Challenges and Prospects: A Case Study of Kinondoni Municipality, Tanzania

This paper is based on study that was conducted to explore challenges with eradicating the problem of street children in Tanzania. Street children is a sensitive and significant social and human rights problem growing in the world today. In Tanzania, street children are found in almost all urban centres and the situation is getting worse in Dar-es-Salaam, the biggest city in Tanzania. While a number of scholarly research studies have been done regarding the problem of street children, empirical data with regards to challenges with eradicating the problem of street children are limited in Tanzania. It is based on this gap of knowledge from the literatures that promoted this paper which also is also informed by Durkheim's structural functionalism theory.The study employed qualitative approach in combination with case study strategy where by data were purposively collected through in-depth interview. The primary sources of data included: street children, social welfare officers, community development officers and ward executive officers. The collected data were analysed using thematic analysis model to obtain themes.Overall the findings established that poverty, poor planning, weak legislations and weak enforcement of legislations, breakdown of traditional safety nets and HIV/AIDS have been cited as major challenges with eradicating street children in Tanzania. This paper recommends that the government should improve household income of poor households, review the existing laws and policies protecting the welfare of children, conducting awareness raising campaigns on the care and support of the most vulnerable children and combat HIV/AIDS.