scholarly journals Educating against all odds: The context and content of social work education in times of national crisis in Greece

2018 ◽  
Vol 62 (2) ◽  
pp. 849-863 ◽  
Author(s):  
Sofia Dedotsi ◽  
Alys Young
Keyword(s):  
Social Work ◽  
Qualitative Study ◽  
Economic Crisis ◽  
Social Work Education ◽  
Academic Staff ◽  
Structured Interviews ◽  
Staff Members ◽  
National Crisis ◽  
Work Education ◽  
Radical Shift

Greece is 6 years into a socio-economic crisis, during which oppression has increased as a result of unjust austerity measures. Reflecting on the need for an anti-oppressive practice, a qualitative study of pre-qualifying social work education was carried out in one of the four national Departments of Social Work (subsequently abolished). This article reports the findings of semi-structured interviews with final year students ( n = 14) and academic staff members ( n = 10) on the content and context of social work education in relation to anti-oppressive practice. The study revealed the need for a radical shift in social work education based on the emancipatory values of the profession.

scholarly journals Applying anti-oppressive approach to social work practice in Africa: reflections of Nigerian BSW students

2020 ◽  
Vol 2 (3) ◽  
pp. 197-213 ◽  
Author(s):  
Solomon Amadasun ◽  
Tracy Beauty Evbayiro Omorogiuwa
Keyword(s):  
Social Work ◽  
Social Work Education ◽  
Social Work Students ◽  
Work Practice ◽  
Social Work Practice ◽  
Structured Interviews ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Social Work Educators ◽  
Work Education ◽  
Practical Implications

Purpose As the next generation of social workers in a continent bedecked by oppressive customs, it is cardinal that the voices of social work students be heard. This study aims to share the reflections of Nigerian BSW students about anti-oppressive approach to professional practice. Design/methodology/approach Drawing on a qualitative approach, semi-structured interviews were conducted among fourth-year social work students at one of the elite universities in the southern region of Nigeria. Findings Results reveal that, although willing to challenge oppressive practices, social work students are ill-equipped to apply anti-oppressive approach to social work practice in Nigeria. Research limitations/implications This study makes an important contribution to the field and to the existing literature because the findings have broader implications for social work education in Nigeria. Practical implications In enforcing the suggestions of this study, it is expected that social work education will become able to produce competently trained students who are only knowledgeable about anti-oppressive social work but are equally prepared to address Nigeria’s myriad oppressive practices that have long undermined the nation’s quest for social development. Social implications The application of the anti-oppressive approach to social work practice is integral to ridding society of all forms of overt social injustice and other forms of latent oppressive policies. Originality/value Suggestions are offered to Nigerian social work educators toward ensuring that students are not only well equipped in the understanding of anti-oppressive social work but also ready to apply this model to professional social work practice following their graduation.

scholarly journals What influences practice educators in determining appropriate learning opportunities for social work students on their final practice learning placement?

2018 ◽  
Vol 15 (1) ◽  
pp. 39-62
Author(s):  
Claire Bates
Keyword(s):  
Social Work ◽  
Social Work Education ◽  
Social Work Students ◽  
Learning Opportunities ◽  
Structured Interviews ◽  
Education Practice ◽  
The Uk ◽  
Work Education ◽  
The Voice ◽  
Practice Education

Abstract: Within social work education in the UK practice education has been subject to regular and substantive change and continues to have the potential to be fragmented as a result of practice learning taking place in a variety of organisations and settings as well as students having on site and off site practice educators. In this pilot research study individual semi structured interviews were used to gather data from 6 experienced practice educators who supervised students across both the statutory and voluntary sector, including those practicing independently as ‘off site’, to establish what influences practice educators when determining appropriate learning opportunities for social work students on their final placement. Findings indicated that practice educators draw on a variety of influences to determine appropriate learning opportunities for final year social work students, not relying on a single tool or mechanism. The research was undertaken in order to hear the voice of Practice educators and develop a better understanding of the process of supervising students on placement and to work towards enhancing future practice.Keywords: practice education; practice educator; social work education; placements; pcf; learning opportunities

scholarly journals Spirituality and social work: Introducing a spiritual dimension into social work education and practice

2016 ◽  
Vol 26 (4) ◽  
pp. 65-77 ◽  
Author(s):  
Carol Phillips
Keyword(s):  
Social Work ◽  
Qualitative Study ◽  
Social Workers ◽  
Social Work Education ◽  
Spiritual Development ◽  
Social Work Students ◽  
Spiritual Dimension ◽  
Practice Elements ◽  
Work Education

Against a background of growing international interest in the place of spirituality in social work education and practice, this paper describes a qualitative study of the spiritual expe- riences of non-Māori social work students at Te Wānanga o Aotearoa, and the application of spirituality to their practice as social workers. The study found that both the programme and Wānanga environment enhanced and deepened participants’ own spirituality and flowed through into their practice. Elements of the Wānanga programme which contributed to the students’ spiritual development are identified, along with a discussion of the influence of the bicultural nature of the programme and take pū on their practice. 

scholarly journals Utilising the ‘common third’ to enhance social work education

2020 ◽  
Vol 9 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Elizabeth McCreadie
Keyword(s):  
Social Work ◽  
Social Work Education ◽  
Academic Staff ◽  
Social Work Students ◽  
Work Practice ◽  
Social Work Practice ◽  
Teaching Staff ◽  
Service Users ◽  
The Common ◽  
Work Education

This article considers the utilisation of the common third to prepare social work students for practice by engaging with education in the broadest sense of the term ( Jackson and Cameron, 2011 ). Quality social work practitioners need fully developed reflective capacities to assist with the complex issues faced by individuals who experience marginalisation, discrimination, and inequality. In order to help develop autonomous and critical thinkers, which is of the utmost importance for social work, this article considers the value of the common third as part of the learning process. The common third, using activities to strengthen relationships, enhances social work practice and this article evaluates a three-day residential experience of outdoor pursuits in partnership with students, service users, practice educators, and teaching staff. This experience has been undertaken for several years at the University of West London, funded by the Education Support Grant from the Department of Health. Until now only anecdotal accounts were available; however, in 2018 staff sought written and verbal feedback from participants to assist in the writing of this article. This is based on the 2018 experience of 45 first-year social work students, six academic staff members, three service users, and two social work practice educators. The findings support the positive anecdotal accounts given to date and highlight the benefits of the common third in social work education.

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