Education Of Social Work Students Research Articles

“This is about heart knowledge”: the disconnect between anti-racist knowledge and practice among white students in social work education

ABSTRACT Our study conducted 11 focus groups with 41 students enrolled in a school of social work at a large public university about their experiences with anti-racism social work education. White students consistently reported that they felt prepared with a lot of knowledge around anti-racism but felt a disconnect engaging in anti-racist practice. Students of color identified that white students need stronger skills with anti-racist practice. We identified several subthemes within this overarching theme, including interpersonal anti-racism, anti-racist practice within the classroom, school, and practicum, and the mind and body connection. We have identified some potential competencies for how white students might develop more tangible skills related to anti-racist practice in the future, including 1) noticing emotions and creating space for them; 2) slowing down and pausing, 3) practicing how to temper and condition the body to engage in antiracist practice; and 4) working with perfectionism and making mistakes.

Undergrad and Over 30: Perceptions of Mature Students in a Canadian Bachelor of Social Work Program

ABSTRACTThis study sought to respond to the increased number of mature students in social work education and the understudied topic of their experiences. The research deployed semi-structured interviews and thematic analysis to explore the benefits, challenges, and needs of mature students (N = 19) over the age of 30 in a Canadian Bachelor of Social Work program. Participant responses revealed multiple, intersecting factors that impacted their experiences. Pertinent themes included the decision to return to school, enhanced engagement, and motivation in the pursuit of their degrees as well as their personal challenges, strategies, and perceptions of ageism within the classroom and curriculum. The study found that mature students would benefit from the development of institutional resources specific to their needs including flexible scheduling, assistance with technology, and clearer guidelines for group activities.

Tools to accelerate anti-racist supervision practices in social work practicum-based education settings

ABSTRACT Due to recent racial injustices in the United States and globally, there is an urgent need for curricular reform in social work education. The profession requires creative tools, techniques and methods that provide strategies for how to dismantle structural racism embedded in the work of both social care systems and social work education and training. The education of social work students offers a vital window of opportunity to equip the next generation to dismantle systems of oppression and engage in justice-oriented action. The authors provide resources to support practicum-based educators in the implementation of anti-racist supervision practices with social work students. Tools and strategies including vocabulary, key terms, skill building and reflection that can guide the development of foundational knowledge for engagement in justice oriented social work practice.

The Role of Social Work Education in Relation to Empathy and Self-Reported Resilience: Results from Entry to Exit of Social Work Education on the Island of Ireland during the COVID-19 Pandemic

Abstract The COVID-19 pandemic has affected all aspects of people’s lives worldwide, including the work of social workers and the education of social work students. Field placements are a significant part of social work education, but during the pandemic they were cut short and most teachings moved online. The current mixed methods study examined the effects of social work education on social work students’ empathy and resilience during the COVID-19 pandemic on the island of Ireland. A matched sample of forty-nine students completed an online survey at the start (T1) of their degree and at the end (T2). A further 229 students who only completed the T1 survey were compared to 70 others who only completed the T2 survey. The results showed improved resilience in the cohort comparison. There were no differences in empathy in the matched sample nor between the cohorts. Thematic analysis of students’ narratives showed that they found the switch to online learning difficult, with some reporting negative impacts on their mental health and the abrupt ending of placements impacting their feelings of preparedness for practice. Implications of this study and future research areas are discussed.

Relational Learning and Teaching with BME Students in Social Work Education

Given the imperative to redress the education inequalities between Black, Asian and Minority Ethnic (BAME) and White students, this contribution explores advances and challenges from within Social Work education (SWE) in relation to the experiences of Black social work students. Drawing on critical race theories and the concept of racial battle fatigue, it explores the impacts of race and racism on students’ academic experience and wellbeing. It proposes the significance of relational wellbeing which has been a constant strand within Social Work education and comprises a valuable approach to the decolonisation process within higher education (HE). Linking this to critical pedagogy, it highlights the role of staff to build safety, confidence and trust to support students to overcome prior education experiences of under-attainment, disadvantage and social marginalisation. Despite the pervasiveness of managerialism within HE, which compromises the teacher-student relationship and emphasises measured changes in student ‘outcomes’, Social Work educators are invited to nurture safe and transformational learning environments.

Uprooting (Our) Whiteness

Social work education reinforces hegemonic Whiteness through pedagogies and practices that rely on an entitlement to and harvesting of Black, Indigenous, and People of Color’s lived experiences for the purpose of its tacit audience: White students. Despite this exploitative and harmful reliance on objectified lived experiences, White students continue to lack critical understanding of their racial positionality and connections to racism. Uprooting Whiteness requires sitting with what it means for White people to be “a White problem.” Drawing on the work of Yancy, we (group co-facilitators; our dean of diversity, equity, and inclusion; and three MSW student participants) describe the creation, organization, facilitation, and experiences of the first year of the Space for Uprooting Whiteness—a biweekly space where White social work students examine and uproot their relationship to White supremacy and domination. We argue for White social workers to take collective responsibility for racism in and beyond our institutions—requiring interrogation of our everyday practices and their (inter)dependence with and on systems of domination. This paper ends with three experiential narratives from student participants in the space and implications of critical intragroup dialogic pedagogy among White students in social work education and beyond.

Challenges and Rewards of Social Work Pioneers in the “Making” Process: A Qualitative Study

This article reports on the findings from individual interviews with 20 social worker pioneers who have more than ten years of experience in social work and have been recognized as leaders in the profession. The term “making” in the paper’s title refers to the intervention of the Chinese government, which has been crucial and has gradually “made” social work into a profession. The interview transcripts were analyzed using qualitative thematic analysis, which revealed that the social worker pioneers’ ten years of experience in social work affected many aspects of their lives. Three major themes were identified in their experiences. Social worker pioneers faced various challenges over ten years; however, they still found satisfying work in their work environments, including discovering meaning and achieving personal accomplishments. This article offers insights into the experiences of social worker pioneers’ experiences in southern China. The study presents implications for future professional practice, especially in terms of social service practice and ongoing education to particular value to practitioners as well as mechanisms to support the work of social work professionals. The positive aspects of social service jobs may provide a rich area for future research and for the education of social work students.

Fostering awareness of self in the education of social work students by means of critical reflectivity

Fostering awareness of self in the education of social work students has focused primarily on a micro-conceptualisation of the self, which implies that the attention was, and still is, mainly on the intrapsychic processes brought about by theory and field practicum. The main argument is that the self should also encompass a macro-conceptualisation, where students have to ask themselves how they contribute to the maintenance of societal structures and how these structures influence them in the forming of their assumptions and belief systems about the self and the world. Three categories of critical-reflectivity questions asked about a parable on death and dying in a class discussion can sensitise students about the self as a product and a co-creator of society in the grieving process. These questions furthermore resonate an African-centred world view in the understanding of the self.

How to Teach Evidence-Based Practice in Social Work: A Systematic Review

Purpose:This article presents a systematic review of research regarding how best to educate social work students and practitioners concerning of the process of evidence-based practice and/or the application of empirically supported treatments (ESTs).Method:We conducted a systematic review with a narrative synthesis, largely following the Cochrane Handbook of Systematic Reviews for Interventions and PRISMA reporting guidelines for systematic reviews and meta-analyses.Results:Twenty-seven studies met our eligibility criteria. These consisted mostly of uncontrolled designs and their measures relied mainly on learners’ self-perception regarding acquisition of declarative and procedural knowledge, motivation, and satisfaction. Reports were mostly positive (88.7%).Conclusions:Research regarding the education of social work students and practitioners about the process of evidence-based practice as well as ESTs is limited. Further investigation is needed concerning the effectiveness of specific teaching methods using controlled designs and more rigorous outcome measures including observation of practice in real-life situations and/or in role-plays.

‘Social work is not just a job’: The qualities of social workers from the perspective of service users

SummaryThe social work profession emphasises the development of the personal qualities of social workers in addition to requiring them to possess the necessary professional values, knowledge, theories and practice skills. Until now, we have tended to rely on the perspective of social work professional bodies, educators and employers to assess the personal qualities of social workers. We have seldom inquired about the views of service users on the qualities of social workers, thus disregarding their perspective. This article focuses on identifying the important qualities of social workers from the perspective of service users.FindingsThis paper reports on qualitative research on the personal qualities of social workers that service users value in Hong Kong. It draws on a diverse range of service users with direct experiences of the services provided by social workers. A total of 47 service users from 7 core social welfare service settings and 32 service units participated in an in-depth qualitative interview. Six significant personal qualities of social workers from the service users’ perspective are identified and discussed.ApplicationsThe findings have several implications for examining directions for development of the social work profession, the relationship between service users and social workers, effective ways to develop the personal qualities of students in social work education and ways to resolve the dilemma between service users’ expectations and the existing mode of social work service delivery. Issues of particular relevance to Hong Kong are highlighted in discussing these implications.

Core Competency Education of Social Work Students: An Empirical Assessment Through Scale Development

This study investigates how competency-based education and assessment prepare social work students to become competent professionals, with a quantitative examination of Chinese students’ (n=332) core competencies. Factor analysis suggests that core competencies can be grouped into conceptual and professional dimensions. The regression results demonstrate that curriculum content satisfaction, preference for the social work major, field experience, and knowledge of career outlook are positively related to students’ conceptual, professional, and comprehensive competencies. Gender and willingness for further study also relate positively to both conceptual and comprehensive competencies, and grade is positively associated with professional competency. These findings carry important implications for the competency-based approach to social work education in China.

Multiracial Microaggressions: Implications for Social Work Education and Practice

ABSTRACTRacism scholars have made intentional efforts to produce research for the development of educational strategies to address racial microaggressions. Similarly, the counseling profession has made a conscious effort to create multicultural guidelines and standards that can assist in the prevention of racial discrimination in therapeutic practice. However, no educational strategies or counseling standards have been created to address monoracism in social work education or practice settings. The authors propose education and practice recommendations to advance social workers multicultural training. To that end, this article focuses on (1) presenting the multi-faceted array of racial microaggressions faced by Multiracial populations, (2) documenting racial microaggressions faced by Multiracial students in social work education and practice settings, and (3) proposing considerations for the inclusion of Multiracial populations in social work education and practice efforts.

Silent Struggles—the Plight of Undocumented Students in Social Work Education

The purpose of this article is to explore factors that impact undocumented students in higher education in the USA. First, we explore the immigrant population in the USA and examine educational attainment among undocumented immigrants. Second, we highlight key contextual factors and political forces that impact undocumented students. Next, we discuss the ethical issues that arise for both undocumented students and faculty. Lastly, we suggest recommendations to improve the access to and experience of undocumented students in institutions of higher learning within the context of social work education, including suggestions for faculty.

Authentic assessment: partners in developing a web-based guide

Field education in practice settings and its assessment are essential for the education of social work students. Many challenges in providing consistent, transparent and equitable assessment in field education have been identified in the international literature. This paper discusses the findings from an Australian three stage participatory action research project between social work and teacher education which aimed to develop authentic assessment tools. This paper focuses on the social work component of the research. The research process resulted in the development of 10 generic assessment frameworks presented as an online resource (socialworkfieldassessment.net). Each framework links specific learning challenges with relevant practice standards, suggested learning strategies, types of evidence produced by these strategies and ways of making a judgement based on the evidence produced. The frameworks provide guidelines with ideas, suggestions and resources which can be adapted to specific placement contexts. By examining the frameworks utilising Darling-Hammond and Snyder’s four criteria for authentic assessment, it is concluded the frameworks contribute to authentic assessment as well as being a useful resource for assessment in field education both nationally within Australia and internationally.

‘Even if Martians exist, they’re far from our everyday life’: faculty perspectives regarding gay and lesbian students in social work education

Following a study on gay and lesbian students’ experiences in a Social Work Department in Greece, this qualitative study explores faculty perspectives regarding lesbian and gay students in social work education. Perceptions of gay and lesbian students’ invisibility and low level of comfort were held in common by participants, although some faculty members referred to the more inclusive and accepting climate of the Social Work Department compared to other higher education Departments and Greek society in general. Most participants reported that same-sex sexuality issues are inadequately covered in the curriculum. Displays of heterosexist behaviour by students were reported by most participants and so were conflicts among students when same-sex sexuality issues were discussed in class. The lack of official anti-discrimination policies that include sexual orientation was highlighted. In the absence of a common strategy regarding the teaching of same-sex sexuality content, faculty determined on an individual level how and to what extent to discuss such issues in the classroom. At times the faculty appeared willing but not adequately prepared to approach gay and lesbian issues. Implications for social work education are discussed.

Development of professional commitment among students in social work education

This study seeks to expand empirical knowledge of commitment to social work using a sample of 212 Norwegian students. The first aim is to investigate the development of students’ commitment to social work from the start of education (first year) to its end (third year). The second aim is to investigate how theoretical and relational knowledge contribute to commitment to social work. The third aim is to examine how compatibility between students’ abilities and the vocational demands of social work contribute to professional commitment. A paired samples t-test and an ordinary least squares regression were conducted to test the aims of the study. The results document that students experience weaker professional commitment at the end of education compared to the beginning. It also seems that theoretical and relational knowledge contribute to professional commitment. The findings also indicate that students whose abilities are compatible with the vocational demands of social work experience stronger professional commitment than those for whom a discrepancy exists.

Are We Educating Creative Professionals? The Results of Some Experiments on the Education of Social Work Students in Italy

Creativity is a competence crucial for the practice of social work. In particular, it is associated with a greater ability to solve complex problems and to learn, and it is considered to be an integral element of the professional identity of social workers. Nevertheless, in the past 20 years, neoliberal policies and bureaucratization have promoted models of education focused more on technical skills than on imaginative and ideational capacities. This article presents the results of two experiments conducted to determine the effects on creativity and imagination of the technical education of social workers. The results show that creativity is not a variable independent of the type of education delivered to students and that educational programmes which emphasise only the technical dimension of social work can have a direct influence on the creative abilities of students. It is therefore necessary to strike the right balance between education aimed at the acquisition of technical skills and education that promotes creativity.

Invisible students: experiences of lesbian and gay students in social work education in Greece

This article explores through semi-structured interviews the experiences of four lesbian and two gay students from the Social Work Department in the Technological Educational Institute of Crete, Greece. The complete absence of openly out lesbian or gay students or faculty members in the Department was considered reflective of the particular social and cultural context of Greece. Participants reported that lesbian and gay issues were marginalised in the curriculum and that heteronormativity often prevailed in the classroom. Consequently, same-sex sexuality was generally invisible and, when discussed, certain faculty members and peers often appeared to be uncomfortable. Within this context, participants stressed the importance of the professors’ role regarding the climate and content in the classroom. None of the participants considered that their sexual orientation had affected negatively their academic attainment; the lesbian or gay identities sometimes had a positive effect on participants’ academic attainment level exactly because of the negative impact these identities had on their social life. Most participants felt that their studies had not prepared them adequately for gay affirmative practice. Implications for social work education are considered.

Framing the experiences of BME social work students within a narrative of Educating for a Culturally Diverse Workforce

The Scottish Social Services Council (SSSC) has noted that a higher percentage of black and minority ethnic (BME) students fail or take longer to complete their social work degrees, compared with the white majority student population. In response to this and related evidence, a national study was carried out in 2013 to explore this phenomenon and ways to support BME students in social work education in Scotland. BME students from five Scottish universities were interviewed, along with lecturers from six Scottish Universities, and practice educators from around Scotland. The background to the study is discussed and a review of the literature on race, whiteness, diversity and a strengths-based perspective is provided. The methodology of the study is explained, followed by a presentation of some of the key findings covering the themes of cultural difference, discrimination and valuing student strengths. To prepare social work students to practice in a culturally diverse and culturally aware workforce the paper argues for framing of social work education within a strengths-based perspective, of valuing diversity and other knowledges and for this approach to be embedded within a critique of both race and whiteness.

Collaborating to Focus on Children in Australian Social Work Education

Social work educators across the world are engaged in developing a curriculum that prepares students to be effective practitioners in a range of settings that involve working with children. This paper reflects on collaborative strategies and research that have influenced the child wellbeing content of social work courses in Australia. It presents a critical analysis of the tensions and challenges that can occur in (this) collaborative work. It then discusses an outcome of this advocacy to influence the child wellbeing content of social work education, an undergraduate module aimed at increasing students' knowledge and skills in communicating with children. This paper argues that Indigenous children (such as Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children) are over-represented in child protection systems and out-of-home care services, and that this needs to be acknowledged and given increased attention in the education of social work students internationally.