scholarly journals Creeping under the skin: manifestations of client violence towards social workers in Swedish individual and family services

2021 ◽  
pp. 1-15
Author(s):  
Jimmy Stephen Munobwa ◽  
Fereshteh Ahmadi ◽  
Peter Öberg
Keyword(s):  
Social Workers ◽  
Family Services ◽  
Skin Manifestations ◽  
Client Violence

A Study on Client Violence Experience of Social Workers

2018 ◽  
Vol 20 (1) ◽  
pp. 65-89
Author(s):  
Jae-Yong Lee ◽  
Soo-Cheon Yi
Keyword(s):  
Social Workers ◽  
Client Violence

Service user violence against social workers in Italy: Prevalence and characteristics of the phenomenon

2021 ◽  
pp. 146801732110091
Author(s):  
Alessandro Sicora ◽  
Urban Nothdurfter ◽  
Barbara Rosina ◽  
Mara Sanfelici
Keyword(s):  
Social Workers ◽  
Social Services ◽  
Child Protection ◽  
Service User ◽  
Online Survey ◽  
Professional Relationship ◽  
Effective Prevention ◽  
Client Violence ◽  
Prevention Programmes ◽  
Victims Of Violence

Summary Client violence in social services is perceived as constantly increasing in Italy, raising deep concern. This article presents the results of the first online survey on the phenomenon. Involving 20,112 social workers, the aim was to determine the prevalence and forms of client violence towards social workers and to identify key factors associated with such events. Findings The results suggest that the vast majority of Italian social workers experience client violence during their careers. Verbal aggression and threats were most common forms of violence, followed by physical attacks and property damage. Young and less experienced social workers appeared more likely to be victims of violence, as well as those who more frequently work in isolation or without their colleagues’ support. Social workers in child protection services, services for adults and municipality services accessible to the entire population were found to be at higher risk of client violence. The social workers considered the quality of the client/professional relationship and communication skills to be critical in preventing and dealing with aggression by users. Unfulfilled clients’ expectation was considered to be one of the main factors contributing to frustration and the consequent hostile behaviour. Applications Violence against social workers is a ‘wake-up call’ that makes the weakening of welfare services, and therefore of professional social work, more visible. The first nationwide study on service user violence reported by this paper may significantly contribute to raising awareness about the phenomenon in Italy and to the devising of effective prevention programmes.

Development and Evaluation of an Innovative Web-based Training, Learning, and Sharing (i-TLS) Platform for Social Workers: Hong Kong Jockey Club SMART Family-Link Project (Preprint)

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Michelle Man Tung Suen ◽  
Agnes Yuen Kwan Lai ◽  
Man Ping Wang ◽  
Sai Yin Ho ◽  
Tai Hing Lam
Keyword(s):  
Hong Kong ◽  
Social Work ◽  
Social Workers ◽  
Work Practice ◽  
Social Work Practice ◽  
Family Services ◽  
Web Based ◽  
Ict Use ◽  
Learning Platform ◽  
Jockey Club

BACKGROUND Information and communication technology (ICT) use may enhance social work practice and continuous professional development. Under the Hong Kong Jockey Club SMART Family-Link project, we developed an innovative web-based training, learning, and sharing (i-TLS) platform to support ICT and other learning needs of Hong Kong social workers in family services. OBJECTIVE We developed i-TLS with 3 major components (i-Training, i-Learning, and i-Sharing) and assessed the acceptability and impact on facilitating ICT use in family services. METHODS We described i-TLS development based on a 4-phase model from platform design, development, implementation to maintenance. We evaluated i-TLS via platform database, Google Analytics, a self-administered survey, and individual phone interviews 1 year after launching. RESULTS i-TLS was launched to 26 Integrated Family Service Centers (IFSCs) and Integrated Services Centers (ISCs) operated by 12 non-governmental organizations (NGOs) on 1 July 2019. The outbreak of COVID-19 started in December 2019 limited face-to-face services, which catalyzed the urgent needs of digital transformation in social work practice. By 31 July 2020, 313 social workers (23 supervisors, 290 frontline workers) had registered with i-TLS. The platform database showed 79.6% (249/313) users accessed i-TLS at least once in the last 28 days, with on average 3.2 platform visits per day viewing 4.8 pages per visit. i-Training provided 41 training mini-modules in applying ICT to family services from counseling, program design, implementation to evaluation. Of 730 enrolments in total, 70.0% (511/730) completed the mini-modules and were awarded digital mini-certificates. i-Learning provided 112 items of learning resources centered around ICT use and family services and had nearly 4000 page views recorded from Google Analytics. i-Sharing had a total of 25 discussion threads with 59 posts. 53.7% (168/313) users completed the 1-year evaluation survey, including 12 who participated in the phone interviews. The mean i-TLS satisfaction score (out of 10) increased from light (4.99) to occasional (6.15) and frequent (6.31) users. Frequent users showed higher scores (out of 10) than light users for an increase in knowledge (5.84 versus 4.09; P<.001), self-efficacy (5.23 versus 3.96; P=.02), and knowledge application (6.46 versus 1.91; P<.001). From the phone interviews, users reported increased ICT use in family services, despite some practical barriers. i-TLS was perceived as an acceptable and supportive tool for learning and practice in family services, especially during the COVID-19 pandemic. CONCLUSIONS We have first reported the development and evaluation of a newly developed web-based learning platform (i-TLS) for social workers in family services. The results provided preliminary evidence of using i-TLS to support social workers’ continuous learning and ICT-enhanced services. Accessibility to self-directed and collaborative learning is essential for optimizing social workers’ learning. Further research on enhancing web-based platforms is needed to expand participation and capacity building of social workers and other related professionals. CLINICALTRIAL ClinicalTrials.gov NCT04034420; https://www.clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/NCT04034420

Safety Education: A Study of Undergraduate Social Work Programs

2007 ◽  
Vol 12 (2) ◽  
pp. 141-153 ◽  
Author(s):  
Geraldine Faria ◽  
Mary Agnes Kendra
Keyword(s):  
Social Work ◽  
Social Workers ◽  
Academic Programs ◽  
Safety Education ◽  
Education Programs ◽  
The Social ◽  
Client Violence ◽  
Work Programs ◽  
Social Work Programs ◽  
Work Education

The literature on client violence against social workers calls for social work education programs to teach students how to protect themselves and minimize the risk of verbal and physical harm. Although the social work literature cites examples of content that should be taught, there is little information on whether safety education is covered in academic programs and, if so, what exactly is taught. This study focused on nineteen baccalaureate programs and determined the extent to which they teach safety education. The study also identified the minimum safety education content that should be taught in baccalaureate social work programs.

Prevalence and Risk Factors for Client Violence toward Social Workers

1996 ◽  
Vol 77 (8) ◽  
pp. 488-495 ◽  
Author(s):  
Christina E. Newhill
Keyword(s):  
Risk Factors ◽  
Social Workers ◽  
National Association ◽  
Client Violence ◽  
Random Survey

The author reports findings from a random survey of National Association of Social Workers members from two states examining the prevalence, nature, and risk factors of client violence toward social workers. A majority of persons surveyed experienced client violence, with gender and setting as significant variables in determining risk. Implications for practice and policy are discussed.

Coping and Mental Health of Iranian Social Workers: The Impact of Client Violence

2013 ◽  
Vol 41 (5) ◽  
pp. 805-814 ◽  
Author(s):  
Mojgan Padyab ◽  
Mehdi Ghazinour ◽  
Jörg Richter
Keyword(s):  
Health Outcomes ◽  
Social Workers ◽  
Psychological Health ◽  
Structural Equation ◽  
Active Coping ◽  
Equation Modeling ◽  
Passive Coping ◽  
Mediating Role ◽  
Client Violence ◽  
The Impact

Client violence towards social workers and its impact on their practice, and physical and psychological health, as well as the importance of coping as a factor in health outcomes, are well documented. However, there is a dearth of studies concerning these issues in Iran. We conducted a national survey of 390 social workers in Iran, and employed structural equation modeling to test the potential mediating role of coping strategies on the relationship between violence and health outcomes. Active coping was used more than passive coping and the use of active coping had a direct positive effect on health. Results indicate that the two coping behaviors are related and the success of each depends on the other. We discuss our findings with special regard to the context of social work in Iran.

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