Framework For Social Work Research Articles

Work-family conflict among women in higher learning institutions in Malawi: A case study of Malawi University of Science and Technology

This study investigated work-family conflict among women in leadership positions at the Malawi University of Science and Technology (MUST). Work-family conflict in higher learning institutions can be understood within the social work framework, as it encompasses the intersectionality of professional responsibilities and personal obligations. The demands from the work domain and family domain may create burnout, including fatigue, and loss of focus, hence rendering one domain suffer at the expense of fulfilling the demands of the other domain, affecting employees’ social life and welfare. Recently, the Malawi government has emphasised the need to empower women by appointing them to different leadership positions, and the Malawi University of Science and Technology in its quest to respond to women empowerment has seen more women assuming different leadership positions within the institution. The study used a qualitative approach, with data collected through in-depth interviews guided by an interview guide. The study found that women in leadership positions face multiple challenges including burnout and fatigue as the demands of work subsume the family demands. The study recommended that the working policy at the institution should be realigned thereby taking into account the wellness and mental health of women in leadership positions.

Children’s experiences of Signs of Safety: A scoping review

Background and ObjectivesIt is increasingly recognised that children’s perceptions and experiences should be sought and heard in service design and delivery. Signs of Safety (SofS) is a popular framework for child protection social work used in over 200 agencies globally. This scoping review aims to identify and synthesise the existing literature concerning children’s self-reported experiences of SofS. MethodsFollowing a five-stage scoping review approach, a search of 26 databases and other electronic sources was undertaken. In addition, 23 SofS experts contributed to a consultation to identify further relevant material. Data synthesis included a structured two-author data extraction process and thematic analysis of qualitative data. ResultsOf the initial 981 sources identified, eight publications from seven studies met the search criteria and were included in the final review. Overall, the review demonstrates a limited evidence base. Studies are across six countries, but our search identified only one large scale study, with other sources comprising six or fewer participants. A key finding across this literature is that children report that SofS tools and processes can provide opportunities to support their participation in the child protection process. However, experiences are not universally positive and are influenced by how tools and processes are used. ConclusionsWhile the evidence base is growing, there remains a need for high quality research on children’s self-reported experiences of SofS that includes children from the age of at least six years. The review highlights the importance of ensuring that workers are supported to develop the necessarily skills and experience and have organisational support to use SofS tools and processes effectively when engaging with children.

Integrated developmental and green social work field education to control fall armyworm Infestation in maize crops in Malawi

In Malawi, fall armyworm (FAW) infestation in maize crops is a problem of public importance as it reduces maize yields and exacerbates household food insecurity. In addition to pest resistance, the use of synthetic pesticides to control FAW negatively affects the health of farmers and the environment. Biochemical pesticides from plants contain naturally non-toxic chemotypes and are effective in controlling pests. Tephrosia vogelii plants contain these bioactive phytocompounds that have pesticidal properties. Geographical location and plant species influence the occurrence of phytocompounds in Tephrosia vogelii. Farmers in Sub Sahara-Africa are using Tephrosia vogelii as a pesticide but there are mixed research findings regarding its effectiveness in controlling FAW pests. This study was informed by developmental and Green Social Work frameworks to compare the effectiveness of Tephrosia vogelii leaves extracts, Belt 480 SC, and soap solution in controlling FAW in maize gardens. The study employed a randomized complete block design with four replication gardens and was conducted from November 2022 to March 2023. A social work field education student was assigned to coordinate the project. The study affirmed that the sampled Tephrosia vogelii leaf extracts contained pesticidal chemotypes. The results of field gardens suggest that Tephrosia vogelii leaf extracts have similar potency to Belt SC 480 chemical pesticide. It has been identified that Boom detergent soap is not as effective as Tephrosia vogelii leaf extracts. The study has social work field education implications for empowering practicum students to gain community mobilization skillsets, to participate in environmental justice advocacy, and to uphold social work values.

Evaluation of the Arthur Project: Evidence-Based Mentoring in a Social Work Framework with a Social Justice Approach

Low-income students from underrepresented communities experience significant educational inequalities, including chronic absenteeism, mental health crises, trauma exposure, and social injustices. These conditions escalate risks of dropping out and justice system involvement. Middle-school youth must navigate intense social and emotional change. To address such challenges, The Arthur Project (TAP) provides intensive, in-school, therapeutic mentoring and family support. The program teaches students essential life skills, such as problem-solving, communication, and academic engagement. Students are empowered to strengthen their resilience, perseverance, self-actualization, and confidence. TAP provides up to 500 h of therapeutic mentoring yearly over three years, delivered individually and in small groups by social work interns. The research question was as follows: Does structured, intensive in-school therapeutic mentoring with social work interns increase the socioemotional, cognitive, noncognitive, and academic skills and engagement of underserved middle-school students? This evaluation for the school year 2022–2023 is based on the program of 200 students and 30 mentors, with quantitative mentee, mentor, teacher, and caregiver surveys and qualitative interview data. The program and evaluation methodology are described, with results and conclusions. Students showed significant improvement in all domains; mentors reported student increases in confidence, perseverance, problem-solving, and communication; and teachers and caregivers reported students’ increased academic engagement. The Arthur Project program can become a national middle-school mentoring model to address widespread student inequalities.

Hip-Hop Infusion in Social Work Education

Background:2023 marks the 50th anniversary of hip-hop. Although hip-hop has existed for a half-century, little attention has been given to its infusion into social work education. This conceptual article explores the potential of hip-hop as a framework for social work education.Objective:We aim to demonstrate how core tenets of hip-hop can be aligned with the Council on Social Work Education’s Educational Policy and Accreditation Standards (EPAS) to enhance student learning, client connection, advocacy skills, and empathy.Methods:This conceptual piece draws on existing literature on hip-hop culture and social work education. We explored how various elements of hip hop can be integrated into social work education to achieve the learning objectives outlined in the EPAS.Implications:Integrating hip-hop principles into social work education can have a transformative impact. By fostering critical thinking, self-reflection, and engagement with diverse narratives, students will be better equipped to navigate the complexities of social work practice. Furthermore, a hip-hop-informed approach can cultivate a more culturally responsive lens for advocacy and policy development. This in turn empowers students to build rapport with clients from marginalized communities, utilizing effective communication to promote social change.Conclusion:Hip-hop offers a powerful set of tools for social work education. Integrating its principles can cultivate a new generation of social workers with the knowledge, skills, and cultural competency to address the complex challenges facing individuals, families, and communities.

Incompatible logics? Professionals and volunteers as collaborating partners in the disability services, the social services, and the probation services

ABSTRACT This study explores the integration of volunteers within Sweden’s public sector, specifically in disability services, probation services, and social services. In a study of public documents, it examines the differing logics of professional and voluntary social work, noting three key distinctions: practical preconditions, qualifications, and tasks. Professionals are paid employees with formal education, while volunteers are often unpaid, valued more for their personal engagement. Volunteers tend to focus on interpersonal relations, whereas professionals handle more complex tasks like assessments. Despite legislative support for volunteer involvement, practical implementation reveals several challenges. Recruitment difficulties, lack of comprehensive guidelines, and the different operational logics of professionals and volunteers complicate integration. For instance, recruitment is claimed to be hard, there is a notable lack of knowledge about the specific content of volunteer interventions as well as of expected outcomes. In the frame of such logics, a shift is ongoing in practice, from volunteer involvement to professionals taking on the task of being the persons people in need meet. The study highlights a gap between legislative aspirations and professional practices, noting that the political idea of integrating volunteers often does not align with the ideas of structured professional social work. Working together with volunteers, adding their humanistic approach to the professionals’ work, do not fit into the structured, outcome-focused framework of professional social work. The study concludes that more support and structured guidance of the professionals are needed to effectively combine the logics of professional and voluntary work in social services.

SOCIAL WORK WITH VULNERABLE POPULATIONS UNDER MARTIAL LAW

The armed conflict in Ukraine has profoundly impacted its social services system, exacerbating the vulnerabilities of sensitive population groups such as the elderly, disabled, and children. These groups, already at a disadvantage, face heightened challenges and necessitate additional support amidst the turmoil. This study delves into the intricacies of social work tailored to these groups, particularly under the strain of martial law, with the dual objectives of understanding the specific nature of these challenges and formulating actionable strategies to bolster social security and support mechanisms.Employing a multifaceted methodological approach, this research incorporates a theoretical examination of pertinent scholarly literature, a detailed analysis of relevant legal and regulatory frameworks, and a review of reports from international bodies. Furthermore, it entails direct engagement with social workers on the ground, whose firsthand experiences provide invaluable insights into the practical realities faced by vulnerable populations in conflict zones.The findings of this study shed light on the theoretical underpinnings of social work with vulnerable demographics, elucidating how military conflicts uniquely affect these groups. By systematically monitoring the evolving needs of these populations and scrutinizing the most effective practices in social work within conflict settings, the research identifies critical gaps in the current support systems and offers evidence-based recommendations aimed at enhancing social services.The conclusion of this study emphasizes the practical applicability of the formulated social recommendations, advocating for the refinement of existing social work frameworks to better serve vulnerable groups under martial law. The proposed enhancements to social support and assistance programs are not merely theoretical but are designed for immediate implementation, with the potential to make a tangible difference in the lives of those most affected by the ongoing conflict.

Environments for intuitive decision-making: A theoretical framework for assessing intuitive-reasoning in social work

Decision-making is an essential part of social work practice. Intuition is one possible basis for these decisions, but relying solely on it might not always be the best choice. No overarching framework for social work exists on how to deal with intuition. By building on the work of Kahneman and Klein, who describe conditions for successful intuitive-reasoning, the aim of the article is thus to offer such a framework for further research and reflection on social work practice. It can be used as a guideline for social work practice and social care policy to improve intuitive-reasoning of social workers.

‘Permanent Temporariness’ as a Critical Lens: A Framework for Social Work with Forced Migrants

Abstract The realities of increasing numbers of forced migrants in Global North countries, including families and children, are shaped by a regime of permanent temporariness—the granting of temporary status for prolonged periods. This uncertainty-producing state means that people are temporarily banned from deportation, but their futures remain unclear and they have almost no access to rights, including social services. Whilst the role of temporality in understanding migrants’ everyday realities is gaining attention in migration scholarship, such a perspective has seldom been integrated into social work literature. As such, this article offers to adopt permanent temporariness as a critical lens for social work with forced migrants in ongoing precarious situations. It offers a conceptualisation of the meanings and implications of permanent temporariness for the lives of forced migrant families and children, manifesting on the individual, familial and extra-familial levels. Thus, the present article highlights the critical role that legal liminality plays in organising people’s lives and intensifying other coinciding post-migration challenges. Finally, implications for a temporal-aware approach in social work with displaced families and individuals are discussed, calling into question the linearity of social work frameworks and the necessity and feasibility of a future-oriented intervention in situations of prolonged uncertainty.

Tracking Racialized Gentrification-Induced Displacement of Indigenous African American Residents

The disproportionate racial impact of gentrification-induced displacement is becoming more of a topic of debate because of the growing evidence and continued outcry of institutional and systemic racism from communities of color. The lack of research in tracking displacement requires new approaches to studying gentrification to address the challenges of investigating the impact on communities of color. In addition to studying the economic, political, and socially motivated reasons for gentrification, the application of a racism-centered framework can shed light on the role of white hegemony in community and urban development policies and practices. Social work researchers can significantly contribute to the body of literature regarding the impact of gentrification-induced displacement of African American residents by applying one of the many social work frameworks in research. Understanding the disproportionate racial impact of displacement on indigenous residents can inform social policies regarding community development strategies and propose interventions to mitigate the impact.

Painting workshop: a tool for improving communication and social interaction

In recent years, there has been an increased focus on using art as an approach in the field of social work. This article examines how painting art can become a valuable tool for communication and social participation for children who suffer from environmental challenges at school and in their upbringing environment. The research is in collaboration with Peacepainting, which uses art painting workshops worldwide to work for equality and peace. Within the framework of social work, we explore painting art as a tool for communication and artistic activity as a social-learning process developed through modes of belonging in a community of practice. Through fieldwork consisting of observation of painting processes, the children’s participation in the workshop and individual interviews with children and instructors, the empirical findings show that artwork provided the children opportunities to experience themselves in new ways through visual expression, which increased their self-confidence. The findings show that painting workshops have the potential to be a changemaker in society and an essential tool in social work practice, creating individual learning processes for the participants, establishing a community for inclusion of exposed groups and contributing to changing the processes of established structural institutions, such as schools, welfare services and the local municipality.

Psychosocial Support Services in Efforts to Address Feelings of Weariness Among Residents of MedanPlus Rehabilitation Foundation

Purpose: This research aims to tackle the challenge of boredom and weariness among residents in rehabilitation due to monotonous routines. It emphasizes the importance of psychosocial support to enhance engagement and emotional well-being during rehabilitation.
 Method: Employing a Social Group Work framework, the study involves stages like Preparation, Assessment, Program Planning, Implementation, and Evaluation. Qualitative data from residents' responses is analyzed to gauge the intervention's effectiveness.
 Practical Applications: This research informs rehabilitation practices by advocating positive activities and motivation to improve residents' experiences and emotional states. Tailored interventions can alleviate boredom and facilitate successful reintegration.
 Conclusion: This study improves rehabilitation outcomes by addressing boredom through psychosocial support. The Social Group Work approach effectively counters boredom and promotes positive emotions, enriching rehabilitation programs.

Psychosocial social work as part of interdisciplinary collaboration and care need assessment in psychiatric outpatient care

ABSTRACT Psychosocial social work is usually defined as a holistic approach and therefore it is unclear how it should be structured in psychiatric outpatient care. This study aimed to clarify the framework of psychosocial social work as a part of interdisciplinary collaboration and care need assessment. The research data were gathered from two different sources: three focus group interviews in adolescent psychiatry and two video-recorded care consultations and reflection discussions in adult psychiatry. A total of seven doctors, five nurses and five social workers and one client participated in the study. This study examined how psychosocial social work is described by different occupational groups, and how psychosocial social work appears in psychiatric outpatient care as a part of the client’s care needs assessment and reflection discussions by an interdisciplinary team (IDT). The data-driven content analysis was used in analysing the data. In this study, psychosocial social work comprises four perspectives: Social Environment, Mental Health, Service System and Care and Rehabilitation. Perspectives affect an assessment in which the social worker plays an important role as a part of interdisciplinary collaboration. The perspectives describe and set a structure for a professional framework for psychosocial social work in psychiatry. According to this study, psychosocial social work involves forming a comprehensive understanding of the client’s psychological and mental well-being and the impact these have on social performance. It also includes the core perspectives of social work in assessing the client’s social environment and the need for comprehensive support and referring clients to relevant services.

Towards Ethical and Competent Equine-Assisted Social Work: A Qualitative Study

ABSTRACT Equine-assisted services have emerged as an effective complementary or alternative modality in many helping professions. Equine-assisted social work has not been studied carefully. This qualitative study examined the experiences of Master’s level social workers certified in equine-assisted services (n = 12). Interviews were analyzed, using thematic analysis. Three themes emerged that were supported by rich and detailed experiences of social workers practicing in the field of equine-assisted services. Overall, the study results reflected the need to improve in three areas: (1) developing the core knowledge and skills necessary for equine-assisted social work; (2) enhancing ethics of equine-assisted social work; and (3) creating a competency framework of equine-assisted social work. Increasing acceptance of equine-assisted social work has implications for current and future social workers in practice and education. Future research is needed to improve the structure and utility of equine-assisted social work.

The “PERSPECS” principles: early action and migrant children with no recourse to public funds

PurposeThis paper aims to make the case for early action approaches with migrant families, introducing a set of principles for practice, mapped against the Professional Capabilities Framework for social work and the Social Work England professional standards.Design/methodology/approachThe paper first explores the context of social work with migrant families, outlining the challenges and gaps in our conceptual understanding of this work. The paper then introduces a conceptual model of work with migrant families which draws on the literature from social work and allied professions, and informed by social work values and ethics.FindingsCurrent social work practice with migrant children has been criticised as defensive, procedural and lacking a coherent conceptual basis, particularly for those who are subject to the no recourse to public funds (NRPF) rule. This field of social work practice would benefit from an evidence-informed model of practice, anchored in human rights approaches and focused on early action. Eight principles, drawn from existing good practice in other social work and social care contexts, are outlined as the basis for a new model of practice in social work with migrant families.Originality/valueThe NRPF rule is a provision in the immigration rules that prevents people who are subject to immigration control from claiming most social security benefits in the UK. In recent years, there has been an increased interest in research about the NRPF rule and its negative impact on children. However, there is currently no evaluated model of social work practice for children and families with NRPF.

The challenge of implementation in complex, adaptive child welfare systems: A realist synthesis of signs of safety

Implementing a new initiative in any complex system is known to be deeply challenging and children’s services are no exception in this regard. Yet understanding implementation is important to support service planning as well as to avoid inappropriate (de)commissioning. Complexity-informed Realist methods are well established, especially in health sciences research, but have seen little uptake in social work, despite calls to embrace the approach. This paper utilises a Realist Synthesis to understand and evaluate how interactions between children’s services interventions and the context they are introduced into can influence implementation and outcomes. We present six emerging programme theories on how the interacting effects of reasoning and resources in varying conditions affect implementation of a popular framework for child protection social work, Signs of Safety. Our findings demonstrate that interactions at multiple systemic levels affect implementation and provide practical guidance to inform service development and delivery. Further, we contribute testable Realist Context-Mechanism-Outcome configurations (CMOCs) and discuss how these can form the basis for a Realist Evaluation.

Social work and funeral service: A proposed framework for practice

Funeral services are related to the vital interests of human beings and are supposed to meet people’s social, psychological and spiritual needs. More and more people from the funeral service industry have realized the importance of bringing helping professionals into the funeral service industry to fill in service gaps. Based on the Strategies and Skills Learning and Development system, a practice framework for funeral social work is proposed. The framework incorporates services in direct service, education and training, administrative management and research development. It targets families, relatives and other related people of the deceased, staff and management and local communities.

Daju li ljudska prava mogućnost za osnaživanje društveno osjetljivih grupa u socijalnom radu u Republici Srpskoj?

Vulnerable groups represent special categories that are in a higher risk of being socially excluded, vulnerable and sensitive to spectrum of risks, including poverty. Disabled persons, children, youngsters, women, elders, victims/survivors of violence, illiterate people, people living in rural areas, members of certain minority groups, refugees and displaced persons, members of LGBTIQ+ communities etc, are considered to be vulnerable. Human rights as a universal concept are guaranteed by the Constitution of Bosnia and Herzegovina (BiH), which guarantees the implementation of human rights for all citizens of BiH. The obligation to implement the international documents that secure the standards, obliging the state to enforce guaranteed human rights is also anticipated by the Constitution. Human rights are the foundation and the framework for social work and social policy when it comes to working with and in favour of vulnerable groups, however, in reality of social work practice, these groups remain on the margins of society. This article focuses on possibilities of social work in helping vulnerable groups to move from the margins of society. The article represents the results of the analysis conducted on gathered relevant documents that include information regarding the current state and processes, status and changes regarding the vulnerable groups' human rights enforcement in Republic of Srpska. The theoretical framework used for understanding and trying to search for possible answers to the defined question is underpinned by the critical social work perspectives. The content analysis was used as an independent theoretical-empirical method when research on relevant documents was conducted.

Introducing a professional capabilities framework for social work in Aotearoa New Zealand

INTRODUCTION: This article discusses the findings from a project on enhancing the professional capabilities of newly qualified social workers. Existing capability and competence frameworks are reviewed, and components of a draft Aotearoa New Zealand Professional Capabilities Framework (ACPF) are outlined. METHODS: This phase of the research programme began with a literature scan of five social work professional capability frameworks then used this information, data from earlier parts of the study, and a series of co-production workshops with key stakeholders to draft a professional capabilities framework for newly qualified and more experienced social workers. FINDINGS: Analysis of the existing frameworks and data from the co-production workshops identified seven core values and 10 core capabilities to guide early-career and more experienced social work practitioners in Aotearoa New Zealand. IMPLICATIONS: Professional capabilities frameworks can guide and inform the practice and learning of all social workers. Following further stakeholder engagement, especially with tangata whenua (Indigenous people of Aotearoa New Zealand), it is strongly recommended that the Social Workers Registration Board considers the adoption or adaptation of the APCF as an alternative to the current competence standards.

Socio-Economic Inequalities in Namibia: A Qualitative Social Work Study

Social work in Namibia is practised in a context marked by extreme levels of poverty and socio-economic inequalities. These interrelated challenges remain deeply entrenched despite several development efforts at national, regional and international level. As a social justice and human rights-oriented profession that has a global footprint, social work pledges to promote socio-economic equalities in view of realising a just and equal world. Such a structural emphasis on tackling socio-economic inequalities is a radical departure from the micro-level centred approaches that have historically dominated social work practice in Namibia. In this qualitative study, we explored 10 purposively selected Namibian social workers’ perceptions of socio-economic inequalities through semi-structured one-on-one interviews. The findings indicate that social workers are intricately aware of the socio-economic inequalities that characterise the Namibian society, but that their focus on micro practice restricts them to deal with the structural causes that retain socio-economic inequalities. Adopting a developmental approach as policy framework for social welfare and social work will enable social workers to bridge micro and macro practice, challenge oppressive structures and contribute to social transformation and a just and sustainable world.