Shared Learning, Joint Training or Dual Qualification in Occupational Therapy and Social Work: A Feasibility Study

1998 ◽  
Vol 61 (4) ◽  
pp. 146-152 ◽  
Author(s):  
Auldeen Alsop ◽  
Christine Vigars
Keyword(s):  
Social Work ◽  
Occupational Therapy ◽  
Social Workers ◽  
Occupational Therapists ◽  
Small Scale ◽  
Shared Learning ◽  
Joint Training ◽  
Structural Differences ◽  
Stage Process ◽  
Working Practices

A small-scale research project was undertaken to explore the feasibility of shared learning, joint training or dual qualification for occupational therapists and social workers in their professional qualifying programmes. A two-stage process examined the curricular requirements of the two professions and the working practices of occupational therapists and social workers in selected authorities. Similarities were found in both curriculum content and working practices, suggesting that a partly shared curriculum between the two professions at qualifying level was both feasible and desirable. However, structural differences in the two professional programmes could place restrictions on the development of joint programmes. Professional expectations and expressed concerns indicated that a dual qualifying programme was not a desirable option at this time.

The Misrecognition of Social Problems

2020 ◽  
pp. 141-158
Author(s):  
LaTonya J. Trotter
Keyword(s):  
Social Work ◽  
Social Workers ◽  
Social Worker ◽  
Nurse Practitioners ◽  
Social Problems ◽  
Occupational Therapists ◽  
Organizational Power ◽  
Large State ◽  
Social Concerns ◽  
Professional Aspirations

This chapter assesses the challenges faced by the Forest Grove Elder Services' social workers, providing a better understanding of the hurdles faced by the profession at large. State disinvestment in social problems grounds the devaluation of social work as a profession. However, this may be of little interest to anyone who is not a social worker. If the Grove's members were getting their needs met by others—whether it be nurse practitioners (NPs), chaplains, or occupational therapists (OTs)—it is not readily apparent how this devaluation might impact anything other than the professional aspirations of social workers. The chapter then argues that there are consequences for relocating problems from one terrain to another. The tools found in the clinic may not be the same as those located outside it. Moreover, not all social work concerns are necessarily taken up by those best positioned as advocates. At the Grove, social concerns were addressed both by those with recognized credentials and by those without them. When anyone is perceived as able to do social work, clients may lose an ally with the organizational power to advocate on their behalf. The chapter illustrates that the relocation of social problems has implications for people's understanding of what constitutes those problems and what they envision as the available arsenal of solutions.

Social work interventions for human trafficking victims’ in Nigeria

2020 ◽  
pp. 002087281990116
Author(s):  
Solomon Amadasun
Keyword(s):  
Social Work ◽  
Social Workers ◽  
Human Trafficking ◽  
Small Scale ◽  
Structured Interviews ◽  
Short Term ◽  
The Social ◽  
Trafficking Victims ◽  
Social Work Interventions

Human trafficking victims require holistic and long-term services if their social conditions are to be improved. This study aims to explore the nature of social work services for human trafficking survivors. Semi-structured interviews were conducted with a cohort of social workers in a statutory anti-trafficking organization in southern Nigeria and the results were analyzed using thematic analysis. While the social workers reported providing services to trafficking survivors, these services were mainly rehabilitation-driven and short-term-focused. Although the research relates to a small-scale study, it has far-reaching implications for social work professionals and the Nigerian political leadership.

The perceptions regarding social workers from within an integrated trust in an age of austerity

2018 ◽  
Vol 26 (1) ◽  
pp. 38-53 ◽  
Author(s):  
Darryl James Phillipowsky
Keyword(s):  
Social Work ◽  
Social Workers ◽  
Integrated Care ◽  
Occupational Therapists ◽  
Free Text ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Shared Culture ◽  
Economic Austerity ◽  
The Impact ◽  
Conceptual Confusion

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to explore community professionals’: opinions concerning social worker’s roles and statutory functions; understanding of collaborative and cooperative work; experiences of professional support; opinions on the aspects of anti-oppressive practices in social work; views on social work identity within multi-disciplinary team structures; exploring perceptions regarding the challenges of cultural; and contextual drivers of social work practice. Design/methodology/approach Design: thematic analysis of free-text data from a survey. Setting and participants: social workers, occupational therapists and nurses working within an integrated Health and Social Care NHS Trust. Main outcome measures: free-text coded and categorised by theme. Overarching themes are identified incorporating comment categories. Methods: 41 respondents (of n=600 survey respondents) provided free-text comments. Data were coded using a multistage approach: coding of comments into general categories (e.g. resources, budgets); coding of subcategories within main categories (e.g. s75 agreement, staffing levels); cross-sectional analysis to identify themes cutting across categories; and mapping of categories/subcategories to corresponding comparable research for comparison. Findings Most free-text respondents (51 per cent) were from social workers, with 32 per cent from occupational therapists and 17 per cent from nurses. These respondents provided comments that the authors developed into four overarching themes: first, culture – cultural biases and clashes of culture within an integrated care organisation which result in a negative experience for professionals and confusion for service users and/or carers. A lack of shared socialisation and the development of a shared culture. Second, austerity: the impact of economic austerity. Third, organisation: conceptual confusion in respect of defining/organising/structuring integrated care within a health organisation. Fourth, political: the political drivers of integration. Originality/value This study presents specific areas of concern for social workers and for integrated social care and health as a whole, revealing a number of themes present across the integration journey. While the majority of comments were negative, analysis reveals concerns shared by significant numbers of respondents: conceptual confusion in respect of organising integrated care within a health organisation, a lack of shared socialisation and the development of a shared culture within the integrated organisation, and the impact of economic austerity on integration.

scholarly journals Hospital social work and discharge planning for older people: challenges of working in a clinical setting

2021 ◽  
pp. 1-18
Author(s):  
Deirdre Heenan
Keyword(s):  
Social Work ◽  
Older People ◽  
Social Workers ◽  
Hospital Discharge ◽  
Discharge Planning ◽  
Small Scale ◽  
Central Function ◽  
Hospital Social Workers ◽  
Hospital Social Work ◽  
Transfers Of Care

Abstract Across the world acute hospitals are under unprecedented pressures due to shrinking budgets and increasing demand, against this backdrop they are also experiencing record levels of activity in Accident & Emergency and delayed transfers of care. Reducing pressure on hospitals by avoiding unnecessary admissions and delayed discharges has risen up the global policy agenda. However, reviews of strategies and policies have rarely involved discussions about the role that hospital social workers play in achieving timely hospital discharge. Yet discharge planning has become a, if not the, central function of these professionals. This paper presents the results of a small-scale exploratory study of hospital social work in an acute hospital in Northern Ireland. The findings reveal that the work of hospital social workers is characterised by increased bureaucracy, an emphasis on targets and a decrease in the time afforded to forming relationships with older people. Hospital social workers highlight concerns that the emphasis on discharge planning and pressures associated with the austerity agenda limits their capacity to provide other more traditional roles such as advocacy and counselling. It is argued that hospital social work should not be narrowly defined as ‘simply’ co-ordinating discharge plans. The tension that arises between expediting hospital discharge and advocating for older people and their families is also discussed.

scholarly journals From “silo” to “network” profession – a multi-professional future for social work

2017 ◽  
Vol 12 (2-3) ◽  
pp. 174-183 ◽  
Author(s):  
Nick Frost
Keyword(s):  
Social Work ◽  
Social Workers ◽  
Sexual Exploitation ◽  
Small Scale ◽  
Structured Interviews ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Child Sexual Exploitation ◽  
The Social ◽  
The Future ◽  
Multi Method Approach

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to argue that the future of social work can be situated as part of a fundamental shift towards co-located, multi-disciplinary practice and networking. It is argued that social work has a key role to play in co-located, multi-disciplinary child welfare practice, and indeed can be a leading profession in this context. Situating social work in this way involves re-conceptualising social work as a network profession, rather than a silo profession. The paper builds on an earlier study of five multi-professional, co-located teams updated with interviews with social workers currently situated in such co-located teams. An exploration of the role of social work in relation to child sexual exploitation is provided. Design/methodology/approach The first study was an ESRC-funded study and used a multi-method approach to understanding the work of five multi-disciplinary, co-located teams working with children, young people and families (Frost and Robinson, 2016). Four co-located teams with eight social workers participated in the research. This was followed up by a small scale study involving semi-structured interviews with six social workers situated in co-located, multi-disciplinary teams. The focus of the study was on professional identity and working practices with other related professionals. Findings The ESRC study explored the complexity of co-located, multi-disciplinary professional teams – exploring how they worked together and analysing the challenges they face. Professionals felt that such working enhanced their learning, their skill base and the process of information sharing. Challenges included structural and organisational issues and differences in ideological and explanatory frameworks. The follow up study of six social workers found that they gained satisfaction from being situated in such co-located, multi-disciplinary teams, but also faced some identified challenges. Child sexual exploitation is explored as an example of the work of co-located, multi-disciplinary teams. Research limitations/implications Semi-structured interviews with social workers based in co-located, multi-disciplinary teams have provided valuable insights into the operation of social workers in such settings. It is acknowledged that all the interviews are with social workers in co-located settings and that further work is required on the views of other social workers in reference to their experiences and views in relation to multi-disciplinary working. Originality/value The paper brings together theoretical positions and policy contextual material with qualitative research data which situate the social worker in wider multi-disciplinary, co-located settings. Drawing on qualitative, semi-structured interviews with 14 social workers in such teams, the paper aims to contribute to an understanding and development of the future of the social work role in these contexts, arguing that this is fundamental to the future of social work.

scholarly journals A small scale project that involved citizens in the education of social work students during their placement in Northern Ireland

2012 ◽  
Vol 9 (2) ◽  
pp. 115-138
Author(s):  
Paul McCafferty
Keyword(s):  
Social Work ◽  
Northern Ireland ◽  
Social Workers ◽  
Social Work Students ◽  
Small Scale ◽  
Educational Impact ◽  
Teaching Process ◽  
The Subject ◽  
The University ◽  
Education Process

This article outlines my attempt to create a small scale project, with the aim of involving citizens in the education of student social workers whilst on their placement in Northern Ireland. The article outlines the literature on the subject, describes how the project evolved and discusses how citizens were involved in the direct teaching process. The article continues by describing how the teaching input of the citizens was then transferred into educating five students. The article evaluates the educational impact on the students and discusses the value of involving citizens in the education process during placement. This project was part of my dissertation for my Joint Advanced MSc in Social Work, presented to The University of Ulster and Queens University Belfast.

The Making of a Model: Teacher Education for Looked After Children

2019 ◽  
Author(s):  
Sarah Alix
Keyword(s):  
Teacher Education ◽  
Virtual School ◽  
Small Scale ◽  
Early Model ◽  
Trainee Teachers ◽  
Looked After Children ◽  
Continued Education ◽  
Stage Process ◽  
The Uk ◽  
Training Practice

<p>We report a three-stage process of developing a model of teacher education to encompass provision for Looked After Children in schools in the UK. First, a survey of 78 trainee teachers explored their perceptions and early practice concerning educating Looked After Children (LAC). There are currently 68,840 children of school age in the UK that have been ‘looked after’ for 12 months or more, and their education is of particular concern both within political and educational circles. Second, teacher education programmes were then reviewed to highlight omissions in relation to LAC, and to initiate an early model for improved training practice, not only for teachers in training but also for the continued professional development of those active in service. Third came the development of a model through consultation with major stakeholders in the field of education for Looked After Children. These were state and charitable organisations, and incorporated responses from Virtual School Headteachers (VSHs) who have oversight of the education for LAC, who are placed on a ‘virtual school’ roll even though physically spread across the schools within a local authority and beyond. The outcomes of the study are limited by the small scale of the research, but provide a validated template for the initial and continued education of teachers for LAC.</p>

A Worthwhile Collaboration: Integrating Optometry and Occupational Therapy in the Treatment of Children

2020 ◽  
pp. 221-236
Keyword(s):  
Occupational Therapy ◽  
Professional Growth ◽  
Interprofessional Collaboration ◽  
Pediatric Population ◽  
Occupational Therapists ◽  
The Body ◽  
Collaborative Practice ◽  
Primary Data ◽  
Visual Deficits ◽  
Vision Deficits

Background: Vision deficits are highly prevalent in children with neurodevelopmental disorders including those with motor delays, learning and reading difficulties, and maladaptive behaviors. These deficits can interfere with their participation and performance in everyday life activities and therefore, require a comprehensive approach to therapy. As such, optometrists and occupational therapists are an optimal team to provide interprofessional collaborative care, reported in research as best practice, in the treatment of these children. However, little is known about the long-called-for collaboration between these professions. The purpose of this study was to explore factors and implications associated with a collaborative practice between optometrists and occupational therapists in the co-management of vision deficits in the pediatric population. Methods: A qualitative, descriptive design was employed to explore perceptions of collaborative practice among teams of optometrists and occupational therapists in the remedial care of children with visual deficits. Following IRB approval, co-located optometrists and occupational therapists were recruited for this study. Semistructured interviews served as the primary data collection tool to investigate the factors and implications of collaborative practice. Results: Eleven professionals provided informed consent and took part in this study, including five occupational therapists and six optometrists. Following thematic analysis, four overarching themes emerged including 1) professional boundaries, 2) co-located, integrated practice, 3) professional growth, and 4) improved patient care. Participants indicated that although barriers exist, exercising humility, upholding patient-centered focus, maintaining mutual respect, communicating frequently, and co-location were factors that enable collaboration. Positive outcomes related to both the provider and the patient were further highlighted supporting the interprofessional collaboration between these professionals. Conclusions: The findings of this qualitative study add to the body of evidence underpinning interprofessional collaborative practice. Furthermore, this study supports the coordination of care, through optometry and occupational therapy collaboration, in the treatment of visual deficits in children with special needs.

THEORETICAL BASIS OF PROBLEM OF SHAPING CREATIVE COMPETENCE IN FUTURE SOCIAL WORKERS FOR WORK WITH GIFTED CHILDREN

2019 ◽  
pp. 34-45
Author(s):  
Halyna Mykhailyshyn ◽  
Oksana Protas
Keyword(s):  
Social Work ◽  
Social Workers ◽  
Theoretical Basis ◽  
Professional Training ◽  
Educational Process ◽  
Gifted Children ◽  
Educational Establishment ◽  
Higher Educational

For effective forming of creative competence in future social work experts, we suggested using the creative approach to organization of educational process in a higher educational establishment, using the potential of different disciplines in the process of professional training. We clarified the main aspects of shaping of creative competence in future social workers in classroom and outside classroom, as well as main forms of the methodology of such training. The use of the mentioned approaches will give an opportunity to shape creative competence in future social workers for work with gifted children.

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