scholarly journals Continuing Education for Gerontological Social Work: Findings From Post-Graduate Advanced Practice Training

2020 ◽  
Vol 4 (Supplement_1) ◽  
pp. 12-12
Author(s):  
Raza Mirza ◽  
Alison Kilbourn ◽  
Samir Sinha ◽  
Jessica Hsieh
Keyword(s):  
Social Work ◽  
Social Workers ◽  
Well Being ◽  
The Elderly ◽  
Interdisciplinary Teams ◽  
Advanced Practice ◽  
Medical Assistance In Dying ◽  
Gerontological Social Work ◽  
National Initiative ◽  
Gerontological Social Workers

Abstract The social work profession aims to help all individuals, families, and communities enhance their overall well-being. While gerontological social workers primarily work with seniors, they are often tasked with addressing the needs of not only their senior client, but the client’s network as well. Social workers are also asked to stay current with respect to new legislation, policy, and systemic changes to help their clients. Thus, gerontological social workers often need to obtain advanced practice education in a number of areas, as related to gerontology. Responding to this gap, the National Initiative for the Care of the Elderly (NICE) and Sinai Health offered a series of innovative advanced practice gerontological social work courses - hybrid online and in-class - to those looking to improve their knowledge and competencies in the following five identified 'high impact' areas: (1) Medical Assistance in Dying (MAiD); (2) cultural competence and LGBTQI2S; (3) mental health; (4) legal issues and aging; (5) dementia. Participants in the courses completed pre- and post-surveys assessing knowledge, attitudes and competencies with the subject matter, with responses helping to improve understanding of how to provide the most appropriate resources for those who care for older adults and how to better shape future education/training programs. Findings suggest that gerontological social workers may benefit from 'tailored refresher courses' that bridge knowledge and practice gaps, that the optimal update time may be every three years, and that clinicians benefit from being trained by interdisciplinary teams, rather than by someone of the same profession.

Baccalaureate Social Work Education and Courses on Aging: The Disconnect

2006 ◽  
Vol 12 (1) ◽  
pp. 105-118 ◽  
Author(s):  
Dara P. Bergel
Keyword(s):  
Social Work ◽  
Social Workers ◽  
Social Work Education ◽  
Social Work Students ◽  
The Elderly ◽  
Accreditation Standards ◽  
Gerontological Social Work ◽  
Work Education

In the year 2020, at least 60,000 to 70,000 social workers will be needed to work with the elderly. However, insufficient numbers of social work students are choosing to participate in the field of aging. This article discusses reasons, barriers, and the importance of increasing gerontological interest in BSW students. It provides curriculum-enhancing suggestions to expand student and faculty interest in aging education and the gerontological social work profession in the context of the Council on Social Work Educational (CSWE) Policy and Accreditation Standards (EPAS).

‘She Made You Feel like There’s Hope’: Gaining a Better Understanding of How Children Negotiate Their Relationships with Social Workers from Their Own Accounts

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Sarah Gorin ◽  
Mary Baginsky ◽  
Jo Moriarty ◽  
Jill Manthorpe
Keyword(s):  
Social Work ◽  
Social Workers ◽  
Social Care ◽  
Well Being ◽  
Local Authorities ◽  
Signs Of Safety ◽  
Relational Resilience ◽  
Children’S Accounts ◽  
Care Innovation

Abstract Recent years have seen a re-emergence of international interest in relationship-based social work. This article uses children’s accounts of their relationships with social workers to build on previous research to promote children’s safety and well-being. Interviews were undertaken with 111 children aged six- to eighteen-years old across ten different local authorities in England, as part of the evaluation of Munro, Turnell and Murphy’s Signs of Safety pilots within the Department for Education’s Children’s Social Care Innovation Programme. The interviews reveal four key findings: that children look for care and reciprocity in their relationships with social workers and this can be achieved through listening and small acts of kindness; that they are adept at recognising aspects of social workers’ verbal and non-verbal communications which indicate to the child whether they are listening and interested in them; that there are times in which children are particularly vulnerable especially if parents are resistant to engagement or children’s trust is broken; and that children actively use their agency to control their communication and engagement. The article concludes by highlighting children’s relational resilience and the importance of ensuring opportunities for children to develop new relationships with social workers when previous relationships have broken down.

scholarly journals Degrowth for transformational alternatives as radical social work practice

2019 ◽  
Vol 7 (3) ◽  
pp. 417-433
Author(s):  
Meredith C.F. Powers ◽  
Komalsingh Rambaree ◽  
Jef Peeters
Keyword(s):  
Social Work ◽  
Social Workers ◽  
Social Inequalities ◽  
Work Practice ◽  
Well Being ◽  
Social Work Practice ◽  
Modern Times ◽  
Ecological Justice ◽  
The World

Historically, and in modern times, social workers have been culpable in perpetuating the very systems of oppression that we seek to eliminate. This happens as we are part of cultures and economies that operate out of the growth ideology. Acting in accordance with the growth ideology does not lead to the outcomes that we strive for as professional social workers. Rather, the growth ideology results in growing social inequalities and increasing ecological injustices around the world. Social work can, instead, embrace an ecosocial lens and promote degrowth approaches for transformational alternatives. Rather than reinforcing the existing systems of injustice and oppression, radical social work can take an activist role and bring about urgent and radical changes to promote ecological justice through social and ecological well-being. Examples from radical social work in local and international communities demonstrate the possibility of degrowth for transformational alternatives as radical social work practice.

scholarly journals Growing Older in Social Work: Perspective on Systems of Support to Extend Working Lives—Findings from a UK Survey

2020 ◽  
Vol 50 (2) ◽  
pp. 405-426 ◽  
Author(s):  
Paula McFadden ◽  
John Moriarty ◽  
Heike Schröder ◽  
Patricia Gillen ◽  
Gillian Manthorpe ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Social Work ◽  
Social Workers ◽  
Later Life ◽  
Intention To Leave ◽  
Well Being ◽  
Individual Characteristics ◽  
Management Support ◽  
Quality Of Working Life ◽  
Working Lives ◽  
Health And Well Being

Abstract Social work, like many other human service professions, is ageing. This article reports and discusses the findings of a UK social work survey undertaken in 2018 (1,397 responses). It investigated how organisational policies and individual factors were affecting individual social workers’ decisions about working in later life. The survey measured (i) social workers’ attitudes to ageing at work and self-reported planning around retirement; (ii) mental health and well-being, quality of working life and home and work interface and (iii) intention to leave work and retirement planning. Statistical analysis enabled examination of how the interrelationship of these factors and relevant individual characteristics interact within the systemic work environment. Findings revealed that all participants had considered factors that might cause them to retire early. Framing the findings in an ecological conceptual model suggests that age-inclusive professional and organisational cultures, age-positive human resource management, support from line managers, fair working conditions and the ability to manage health and well-being, might enable social workers to extend their working lives in line with government policy. These findings provide insights for social work workforce policymakers and for employers to assist in their development of organisational and individual adjustments to sustain well-being in the social work profession.

Conflict Resolution

2013 ◽  
Author(s):  
Bernard Mayer
Keyword(s):  
Conflict Resolution ◽  
Social Work ◽  
Social Workers ◽  
Core Competency ◽  
Work Practice ◽  
The Elderly ◽  
Social Work Practice ◽  
Family Counseling ◽  
Potential Growth ◽  
Dispute System

Conflict resolution is a core competency for social workers, and social workers have contributed greatly to this thriving field. Conflict resolution as a field of practice includes mediation, facilitation, conflict coaching, dispute system design and management, and arbitration. Conflict professionals provide preventative, restorative, substantive, procedural, and decision-making services to people in conflict. The use of conflict resolution processes is rapidly growing in areas of traditional social work practice such as child welfare, special education, family counseling, care of the elderly, and medical care. This is a tremendous potential growth area for social work.

Development and Initial Validation of the Self-Care Practices Scale

Social Work ◽  
2019 ◽  
Vol 65 (1) ◽  
pp. 21-28
Author(s):  
Jacquelyn J Lee ◽  
Shari E Miller ◽  
Brian E Bride
Keyword(s):  
Social Work ◽  
Construct Validity ◽  
Social Workers ◽  
Self Care ◽  
Well Being ◽  
Social Work Practice ◽  
The Self ◽  
Future Research ◽  
Care Practice ◽  
Care Practices

Abstract Self-care is regarded as essential for effective social work practice, offsetting occupational stress and promoting well-being and resiliency among practitioners. However, the literature reveals a notable absence of psychometrically sound instruments to measure self-care. The purpose of the present study was to describe the development, refinement, and construct validity of the Self-Care Practices Scale (SCPS). The piloted version of the SCPS is a 38-item instrument designed to measure frequency of engagement in personal and professional self-care practices. Data were collected through mailed surveys from a random sample of master’s-level clinical social workers and members of the National Association of Social Workers (N = 492). Analysis supports the construct validity of an 18-item SCPS with two subscales that demonstrate strong internal validity. The SCPS is useful for social work educators, practitioners, and administrators to ascertain frequency of self-care practice and build a stronger culture of self-care. The role of SCPS in future research is discussed.

Teaching Financial Problem Solving: A Curriculum Model From a Pilot BSW Course

2018 ◽  
Vol 23 (1) ◽  
pp. 1-10 ◽  
Author(s):  
Thomas E. Smith ◽  
Kristin V. Richards ◽  
Lisa S. Panisch ◽  
Victoria M. Shelton
Keyword(s):  
Social Work ◽  
Problem Solving ◽  
Social Workers ◽  
Financial Literacy ◽  
Financial Education ◽  
Integrated Approach ◽  
Well Being ◽  
Environmental Stability ◽  
Financial Problem ◽  
Curriculum Model

Social work clients need financial literacy skills. Many clients are faced with the task of overcoming increasingly complex and challenging financial obstacles that can take a dire toll on their physical and environmental stability and mental well-being. Social workers who lack skills in financial literacy are at a disadvantage when helping their clients overcome economic hardships. Financial therapy is an emerging intervention that merges techniques of psychotherapy with financial education. This integrated approach can be used by social workers in generalist settings to promote financial problem solving. Few baccalaureate social work (BSW) programs provide students with education about financial problem solving from this angle. A curriculum model and overview of a pilot course introducing BSW students to a manualized form of this approach is presented. Overall, students found the course beneficial and expressed interest in using this intervention in practice. Student feedback is reviewed, along with directions for further study.

scholarly journals The charitable activities as the basis of the social work

2020 ◽  
Keyword(s):  
Social Work ◽  
Social Workers ◽  
Social Services ◽  
Rural Areas ◽  
The Elderly ◽  
Social Program ◽  
Job Descriptions ◽  
Charitable Organizations ◽  
Internally Displaced ◽  
Charitable Activities

The growth in the number of the country’s charitable organizations, transformation of one-time humanitarian actions (charity) into regular social work with veterans of the Russian-Ukrainian war (since 2014) and internally displaced persons from Donbas, the Autonomous Republic of Crimea have put on the agenda a study of the relationship between charitable activities and social work. The expansion of social work aimed at the elderly, which is often performed by the employees of territorial centers of social services beyond their job descriptions, also determines the relevance of this topic. The task of the study was to substantiate the place of charity in social work, based on the analysis of the activities of the Ukrainian charitable foundations, and employees of six territorial centers of social services in Kharkiv region. It was found that the All-Ukrainian social program “Home Care” of the International Charitable Foundation “Caritas Ukraine” represents social work with people who are not clients of territorial centers of social services. The Regional Landscape Park “Feldman Ecopark” (the flagship project of the International Charitable Foundation “Aleksandr Feldman Foundation”) is often used for social work, particularly with the elderly. It has been substantiated that the charitable activity of these foundations creates conditions for conducting systematic daily social work, in particular, with the elderly. The results of the expert survey of 16 social workers and 21 social workers of the territorial centers of social services of Bohodukhiv, Izium, Krasnokutsk, Lozova, Chuguiv, and Kharkiv districts of Kharkiv region show that charity occupies the leading place in their activities, creating conditions for social work. Charitable activities such as volunteering, social services of public/charitable organizations for the elderly are rightly regarded by experts as social work. The types of social work with the elderly in rural areas, carried out in spare time, such as helping in vegetable gardens, nature rides (in particular, to Feldman Ecopark), group communication on topical issues are referred by the experts to charitable activities. There is a partial overlapping of the subject areas of social work and charity, as well as a common goal – to help. Social workers and officials of the territorial centers of social services in Kharkiv region, performing daily social work with the elderly, often carry out charitable activities, too. It has been proved that charity helps to increase the efficiency of social work, solving many social problems of the territorial community.

scholarly journals The Peculiarities of Social Work with Senior CItizens with Different Aging Strategies: Social and Psychological Aspects

2020 ◽  
pp. 138-148
Author(s):  
О.Д. Мухина
Keyword(s):  
Social Work ◽  
Social Workers ◽  
Elderly People ◽  
Senior Citizens ◽  
The Elderly ◽  
Psychological Support ◽  
Psychological Aspects ◽  
Elderly Individuals ◽  
Practical Guidelines ◽  
Psychological Features

Актуальность отмеченной в названии темы определяется наличием противоречий между высокой потребностью пожилых людей в социально-психологической поддержке и отсутствием теоретической и практической разработки данного вопроса, а также преимущественно опекающим характером деятельности специалистов, работающих с этой категорией населения. На основе теоретического анализа работ и обобщения эмпирического опыта автором выявлены и описаны социально-психологические особенности пенсионеров с различными стратегиями старения, а также определены социально-психологические аспекты социальной работы с пенсионерами по старости, определяемой типом старения, к которому принадлежит пожилой человек. В статье описаны социально-психологические особенности пенсионеров по старости в зависимости от их социально-психологической стратегии старения (активные или пассивные), проанализированы технологии, применяемые в работе специалистов с пенсионерами по старости: социально-психологическая диагностика, социально-психологическое консультирование, социально-психологический тренинг. Обобщены теоретические и практические наработки по социально-психологическому сопровождению пожилых пенсионеров. Подтверждена гипотеза о том, что социальная работа с использованием специально разработанных социально-психологических технологий в зависимости от типа старости может обеспечить успешность адаптации людей позднего возраста к изменяющимся условиям жизни, связанным с выходом на пенсию по старости. Подход к работе с пенсионерами по старости, при котором социально-психологическая поддержка корректируется в соответствии со стратегией старения человека, не распространен, что определяет новизну представленных в статье материалов, а возможность использования их и сформулированных выводов в социально-психологической практике с целью совершенствования работы специалистов по социально-психологическому сопровождению людей пожилого возраста — практическую значимость исследования. The relevance of the issue mentioned in the title is accounted for by contradictions between senior citizens’ need for psychological support and the absence of theoretical and practical guidelines for those who render support to the elderly, as well as by the fact that specialists working with elderly people tend to treat their charges in a patronizing and condescending way. The author generalizes theoretical and empirical research to single out and describe social and psychological characteristics of senior citizens with different aging strategies. She identifies social and psychological aspects of social work with the elderly people depending on the aging type they belong to. The article describes social and psychological features of senior citizens related to their aging strategy (active or passive). It analyzes the methods employed by social workers helping elderly individuals: social and psychological diagnosis, psychological consultation, social and psychological training. The article generalizes theoretical and practical research on social and psychological support of the elderly. The article proves the hypothesis that the use of special social and psychological methods depending on senior citizens’ aging type ensures successful adaptation of elderly individuals to the changing conditions of life associated with retirement. The theoretical novelty of the research is accounted for by the fact that the described approach presupposing that elderly people are rendered social and psychological support depending on their aging strategy is not commonly known. The practical value of the research is accounted for by the possibility to use the materials of the research to improve the quality of social and psychological support given to senior citizens by social workers.

Sign in / Sign up

Export Citation Format

Share Document