The Role of Social Workers in Supporting and Developing the Work of Foster Carers

1996 ◽  
Vol 20 (2) ◽  
pp. 21-26 ◽  
Author(s):  
Clive Sellick
Keyword(s):  
Social Work ◽  
Social Workers ◽  
Wide Range

The quality of relations between social workers and foster carers can virtually make or break a placement. Clive Sellick uses a wide range of social work literature to examine some of the conditions needed for these relations to succeed, both in the realm of practical organisation and in terms of individual qualities such as reliability, honesty, empathy and warmth.

scholarly journals Role of Professional Social Workers in Promotion of Quality of Life of Children Orphaned by AIDS: A Study

2021 ◽  
Vol 13 (1) ◽  
pp. 108-119
Author(s):  
Dr. Abraham Mutluri ◽  
Keyword(s):  
Quality Of Life ◽  
Social Work ◽  
Social Workers ◽  
Social Psychological ◽  
Social Activist ◽  
Biological Parents ◽  
Community Organizer ◽  
Case Worker

This article discusses the role of professional social workers in promotion of quality of life of children orphaned by AIDS. Children orphaned by AIDS are the children, who have the age of below 18 years, and lost one or both biological parents due to AIDS. It is estimated that there are 13.8 million children worldwide had lost mother or father or both parents to AIDS as of 2020. Children orphaned by AIDS face economic, social, psychological, and health problems. It is very difficult for them to access the basic needs such as food, shelter and clothing as well as education. This study conducted in two states of India i.e. Andhra Pradesh and Telangana with 316 children orphaned by AIDS. The study found that women-headed, granny-headed and child-headed families are more in HIV affected families. Stigma and discrimination were faced by 64.2 per cent respondents. About 35 per cent of the children are not attending the schools regularly, 72.2 per cent respondents required psycho-social support. Social work is a practice-based profession and it believes that every child is unique. There is a lot of scope for the practice of social work profession with these children. Social workers work as a social case-worker, social group worker, community organizer, social activist, social welfare administrator, social researcher, counsellor, communicator, and educator etc. to promote the quality of life of children orphaned by AIDS. This study suggested a strategy to work with children orphaned by AIDS.

scholarly journals The Social Worker in the Nursing Home: A Systematic Review of the Literature from 2010 to 2020

2020 ◽  
Vol 4 (Supplement_1) ◽  
pp. 960-960
Author(s):  
Vivian Miller ◽  
Tyrone Hamler ◽  
Susanny Beltran ◽  
Jacquelyn Burns
Keyword(s):  
Nursing Home ◽  
Social Work ◽  
Social Workers ◽  
Social Worker ◽  
Nursing Home Residents ◽  
Work Practice ◽  
Social Work Practice ◽  
Rapid Review

Abstract Social workers have an integral role in health care and a long-standing history in nursing homes. The novel pandemic, COVID-19, has disproportionately adversely affected nursing home residents, bringing to the fore the importance of practice in this setting. However, the role of the nursing home social worker is often ambiguous. The objective of this study is to (1) identify existing research studies that discuss the role of social work and nursing facilities, (2) synthesize findings to determine what is most often reported in the literature, (3) present recommendations for practice and implications for research and policy change. This rapid review used the PICO framework and PRISMA guidelines to systematically search for articles published in English between 2010 and 2020 across 11 databases. A final sample of 23 articles met inclusion criteria. Relevant details were extracted from these articles, and the following 3 categories emerged as broadly describing the literature: (1) elements of social work practice in NHs, (2) social worker responsibilities, (3) policy impacts on practice. Findings highlight that the literature on NH social workers is limited and outdated, despite the 2016 federal rule requiring increased consideration for resident quality of life, quality of care, and behavioral health, all features of social work practice. The nursing home social work role warrants greater attention, with an emphasis on how to support residents during the current pandemic to ensure the development and implementation of person-centered care. The literature points to research priorities including involving families and residents in data collection efforts.

scholarly journals Emotional intelligence as a part of critical reflection in social work practice and research

2021 ◽  
pp. 147332502110247
Author(s):  
Mari D Herland
Keyword(s):  
Emotional Intelligence ◽  
Social Work ◽  
Social Workers ◽  
Critical Reflection ◽  
Work Practice ◽  
Social Work Practice ◽  
Emotional Reactions ◽  
Social Work Research ◽  
Emotional Aspects

Social workers often experience higher levels of burnout compared with other healthcare professionals. The capacity to manage one’s own emotional reactions efficiently, frequently in complex care settings, is central to the role of social workers. This article highlights the complexity of emotions in social work research and practice by exploring the perspective of emotional intelligence. The article is both theoretical and empirical, based on reflections from a qualitative longitudinal study interviewing fathers with behavioural and criminal backgrounds, all in their 40 s. The analysis contains an exploration of the researcher position that illuminates the reflective, emotional aspects that took place within this interview process. Three overall themes emerged – first: Recognising emotional complexity; second: Reflecting on emotional themes; and third: Exploring my own prejudices and preconceptions. The findings apply to both theoretical and practical social work, addressing the need to understand emotions as a central part of critical reflection and reflexivity. The argument is that emotions have the potential to expand awareness of one’s own preconceptions, related to normative societal views. This form of analytical awareness entails identifying and paying attention to one’s own, sometimes embodied, emotional triggers.

scholarly journals Social work support for employment of people with learning disabilities: Findings from the English Jobs First demonstration sites

2016 ◽  
Vol 17 (2) ◽  
pp. 167-185 ◽  
Author(s):  
Martin Stevens ◽  
Jess Harris
Keyword(s):  
Learning Disabilities ◽  
Social Work ◽  
Social Workers ◽  
Social Inclusion ◽  
Secondary Analysis ◽  
Social Work Practice ◽  
Structured Interviews ◽  
Active Labour Market Policy ◽  
Case Record ◽  
Wide Range

Summary This article brings together two key themes in recent public policy in England affecting social work practice: the value of having a paid job for social inclusion and increasing self-worth, and the personalisation of public services. The article draws on a mixed method evaluation of Jobs First, which was a government-funded demonstration site project that aimed to show how personal budgets (a key mechanism for personalisation) could be used by people with learning disabilities, often with their families, to purchase employment support. The evaluation involved secondary analysis of case record data and 142 semi-structured interviews with a wide range of participants (we mainly draw on 79 interviews with professionals for this article). Jobs First is placed within the frame of Active Labour Market Policy. Findings The attitudes of social workers to Jobs First were broadly positive, which was an important factor supporting employment outcomes. However, social workers’ involvement was often limited to a coordinating role, undertaking basic assessments linked to resource allocation and ensuring that support plans, which had often been developed by non-social work practitioners, were ‘signed off’ or agreed by the local authority. Applications The study points to important elements of the role of social workers in this new field of practice and explores potential tensions that might emerge. It highlights a continuing theme that social workers are playing more of a coordinating, managing role, rather than working directly with individuals to support their choices.

Seselelame: Reflective team approach to practice

2016 ◽  
Vol 14 (1) ◽  
pp. 73-87
Author(s):  
Julia Jude
Keyword(s):  
Social Work ◽  
Social Workers ◽  
Practical Wisdom ◽  
The Body ◽  
Team Approach ◽  
Work Context ◽  
Relational Dynamics ◽  
Ways Of Being

Abstract: This paper focuses on an awareness of self through the integration of Seselelame Reflective Team Approach to Practice (SRTAP), a model I develop that was adapted from Anderson’s systemic reflective team approach. An understanding of how SRTAP enhances the quality of practice of social workers is explored. Approaching this task from a practice-based standpoint I draw from my experience and practice. I explore how the concept of SRTAP was embedded in a local social work context; I explain and illustrate the value of bringing forth an awareness of self through the use of feeling in the body to practice, inviting an appreciation of the value of practical wisdom through SRTAP.The narratives of practitioners offer examples of the effectiveness of the SRTAP on casework (that is, tasks involving plans or ideas, solving problems or making decisions). I discuss conditions, rationale and guidance needed to achieve and sustain the benefits of SRTAP.Taking feedback from practitioners, my experience and observation I suggest that SRTAP creates a blend between intuitive and analytical ways of being in practice, contributing practice competence through an exploration of self as a resource when dealing with complex relational dynamics. When I use the word ‘self’ in this paper, I refer to felt responses in terms of feelings in the body.

scholarly journals 178Depression but not physical activity mediates the fatigue-mental quality of life relationship in multiple sclerosis

2021 ◽  
Vol 50 (Supplement_1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Alexander Fidao ◽  
Alysha De Livera ◽  
Tracey Weiland ◽  
George Jelinek ◽  
Sandra Neate ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Quality Of Life ◽  
Physical Activity ◽  
Multiple Sclerosis ◽  
Indirect Effect ◽  
Mediation Effect ◽  
Study Cohort ◽  
Wide Range ◽  
Clinically Significant

Abstract Background Fatigue is among the most prevalent symptoms of multiple sclerosis (MS), and significantly detrimental to mental quality of life. We examined the role of depression and physical activity as mediators in the fatigue-QoL relationship in MS. Methods Using an international study cohort measuring a wide range of lifestyle and clinical factors, determinants of fatigue (Fatigue Severity Scale) and mental quality of life (MSQoL-54; QoL) were assessed in 2,104 participants using log-binomial and linear regression, respectively. Structural equation modelling (SEM) was used to assess the mediating role of depression and physical activity between fatigue and mental QoL. Results The median mental QoL score in the sample was 73.8/100. The mean fatigue score was 40.5/63, with 65.6% having clinically significant fatigue. In SEM analyses evaluating depression as a mediator of the fatigue-QoL relationship, mental QoL was 14.17-points lower in those with clinically significant fatigue, of which the indirect effect via depression accounted for over 30.8% (p < 0.001). This mediation effect was most pronounced for the Role Limitations from Emotional Issues (44.9%, p < 0.001) and Emotional Wellbeing (41.6%, p < 0.001) subdomains. Evaluating physical activity as a mediator of the fatigue-QoL relationship, mental QoL was 11.03-points lower in those with clinically significant fatigue, of which the indirect effect via physical activity accounted for only 1.0% (p = 0.001). Conclusions This study provides evidence that depression accounts for a majority of the fatigue-mental QoL relationship, while physical activity only plays a small role. While replication and longitudinal studies are required for validation, our findings may inform the development of treatments for reducing the impacts of fatigue and improving QoL in people with MS. Key messages Fatigue’s negative impact on emotional quality of life in multiple sclerosis is not a function of reduced ambulation but instead its impact on depression. Reducing depression may thus markedly improve quality of life in this population.

scholarly journals The pas de trois of disability, dance and social work: dance/movement therapy as point of access for recreational dance

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Geneviève Elitha Margaret Roots
Keyword(s):  
Social Work ◽  
Social Workers ◽  
Hermeneutic Phenomenology ◽  
Movement Therapy ◽  
Logic Model ◽  
Pilot Program ◽  
Dance Movement Therapy ◽  
Dance Movement ◽  
Therapeutic Practice

Individuals with disabilities are left out of recreational programs at a much higher rate than individuals with no disabilities. Seeking to rid barriers created by inaccessible recreational dance spaces, dance/movement therapy (DMT) offers a potential solution. This research explores how DMT can inspire a model for accessible recreational dance spaces for individuals with varying abilities, how this therapeutic practice can translate into a recreational dance atmosphere, and the role of social workers herein. The research takes the form of a content analysis via hermeneutic phenomenology of a six-week DMT-inspired pilot program developed by the researcher, and is informed by critical disability and structural social work theories. Findings highlight the parallels between DMT and recreational dance, making possible their fusion to create a space for ‘everyone and anyone’, and emphasize a social work presence. A logic model resulted, guiding how accessible recreational dance programs may be designed, based on DMT.

ЛІДЕРСЬКІ ЯКОСТІ МАЙБУТНЬОГО СОЦІАЛЬНОГО ПЕДАГОГА ЯК УМОВА УСПІШНОЇ ПРОФЕСІЙНОЇ ДІЯЛЬНОСТІ

2012 ◽  
Vol 33 ◽  
Author(s):  
К. В. Бабко
Keyword(s):  
Key Words ◽  
Social Workers ◽  
Leadership Skills ◽  
Leadership Quality ◽  
Social Pedagogue ◽  
Future Work

Автор статті робить спробу визначити особливості формування лідерських якостей майбутніх соціальних педагогів, а також роль цих якостей у майбутній професійній діяльності.Ключові слова: лідерство, лідерські якості, соціальний педагог.  Author of the article makes an attempt to determine the features of the formation of leadership quality of future social workers, as well as the role of these qualities in future work professionally. Key words: leadership, leadership skills, social pedagogue.

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