scholarly journals Social Work Services by Non-Profit Organisations for Adults with Substance Use Disorders

2019 ◽  
Vol 31 (3) ◽  
Author(s):  
Shernaaz Carelse ◽  
Sulina Green
Keyword(s):  
Substance Use ◽  
Social Work ◽  
Substance Use Disorders ◽  
Work Practice ◽  
Social Work Practice ◽  
Structured Interviews ◽  
Non Profit ◽  
Human Needs ◽  
Theoretical Approaches ◽  
Substance Abuse Intervention

Social work services globally started as a result of society’s response to basic human needs, and thus facilitated alleviating, based on doing good, the plight of those in need. Since its inception as a professional discipline, social work has always been associated with poverty relief and services to persons with substance use disorders (SUDs). The high prevalence of SUDs in South Africa makes it one of the top 10 substance abusing countries globally. As such, the demand for social work services, aimed at substance abuse intervention, has increased rapidly over the past 20 years, resulting in the emergence of many non-profit organisations (NPOs). However, there are gaps in evidence-based research on social work services provided by NPOs to persons with SUDs. The focus of the article is on the nature and scope of social work services provided by NPOs to adults with SUDs. The population for the study was supplied by NPOs across the Cape Metropole, offering services to persons with SUDs. Semi-structured interviews were conducted with 10 social workers, purposively selected from 10 NPOs across the Cape Metropole. Thematic data analysis was done and yielded three main themes, namely theoretical approaches, levels of intervention, and methods in social work practice when delivering services to adults with SUDs.

scholarly journals Contemporary Trauma Theory and Trauma-Informed Care in Substance Use Disorders: A Conceptual Model for Integrating Coping and Resilience

2017 ◽  
Vol 18 (1) ◽  
pp. 186-201 ◽  
Author(s):  
Revital Goodman
Keyword(s):  
Substance Use ◽  
Social Work ◽  
Substance Use Disorders ◽  
Work Practice ◽  
Social Work Practice ◽  
Trauma Theory ◽  
Traumatic Experiences ◽  
Childhood Experiences ◽  
Trauma Informed Care ◽  
Trauma Informed

National data of children’s exposure to traumatic experiences are alarming. Research asserts the interconnectedness between experiencing childhood trauma (CT) or adverse childhood experiences (ACE) and developing substance use disorders (SUDs) in later adulthood. Trauma definition and contemporary trauma theory (CTT) provide the foundation for trauma informed care (TIC) in social work practice with co-occurring trauma and SUDs. TIC re-conceptualizes SUDs as a mechanism to cope with the effects of trauma. Coping and resilience are relevant factors to the ramifications of CT on SUDs, and are the manifestation of key TIC principles. Integrating TIC practices aimed at enhancing coping and resilience into treatment for co-occurring trauma and SUDs is needed in order to negate the devastating impact of trauma and propel recovery. Conclusions and implications to social work practice are discussed.   

Purchasing Power and Self-Determination: Social Worker Perspectives

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Charlotte Bailey ◽  
Debbie Plath ◽  
Alankaar Sharma
Keyword(s):  
Decision Making ◽  
Social Work ◽  
Social Workers ◽  
Work Practice ◽  
Social Work Practice ◽  
Self Determination ◽  
Purchasing Power ◽  
Service Users ◽  
Structured Interviews ◽  
Management Approaches

Abstract The international policy trend towards personalised budgets, which is designed to offer people with disabilities purchasing power to choose services that suit them, is exemplified in the Australian National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS). This article examines how the ‘purchasing power’ afforded to service users through individualised budgets impacts on social work practice and the choice and self-determination of NDIS service users. Social workers’ views were sought on the alignment between the NDIS principles of choice and control and social work principles of participation and self-determination and how their social work practice has changed in order to facilitate client access to supports through NDIS budgets and meaningful participation in decision-making. A survey was completed by forty-five social workers, and in-depth semi-structured interviews were conducted with five of these participants. The findings identify how social workers have responded to the shortfalls of the NDIS by the following: interpreting information for clients; assisting service users to navigate complex service provision systems; supporting clients through goal setting, decision-making and implementation of action plans; and adopting case management approaches. The incorporation of social work services into the NDIS service model is proposed in order to facilitate meaningful choice and self-determination associated with purchasing power.

scholarly journals The Use of Metaphor as an Important Tool for Understanding Oppression

2019 ◽  
Vol 14 (2) ◽  
Author(s):  
Susan Hillock
Keyword(s):  
Social Work ◽  
Social Workers ◽  
Work Practice ◽  
Social Work Practice ◽  
Structured Interviews ◽  
Qualitative Research Design ◽  
The Social ◽  
Research Findings ◽  
Written Assignments ◽  
Systems Of Domination

Using an anti-oppressive practice (AOP) theoretical framework and an exploratory qualitative research design, featuring semi-structured interviews and written assignments, a group of ten social workers were asked to describe their understandings of the concept of oppression. The study found that, in the case of these particular social workers, they used metaphor as a key conceptualization process to more vividly describe and understand the concept of oppression within their social work practice. This article analyzes eight categories of metaphor themes the participants used to explain their understanding of oppression: (a) pressure; (b) earth; (c) quest; (d) nature of society;  (e) seeing; (f) building; (g) dancing; and (h) water. The research findings are intended to open up dialogue and thinking about the concept of oppression, increase our knowledge base and understandings of oppression within social work practice, and assist the social work profession to build a stronger conceptual framework for understanding and naming oppression with the end goal of assisting social workers to better respond to and resist systems of domination.

Managing Risk in the Pro-Empowerment Era of Mental Health Care: A Cross-Cultural Study of Social Work Perspectives in Hong Kong and Sydney

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jialiang Cui ◽  
Limin Mao ◽  
Christy E Newman ◽  
Chi Kin Kwan ◽  
Kari Lancaster
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Risk Management ◽  
Hong Kong ◽  
Social Work ◽  
Social Workers ◽  
Cultural Influences ◽  
Work Practice ◽  
Social Work Practice ◽  
Structured Interviews ◽  
Assessment Guidelines

Abstract Risk management and empowerment have become key features of social work practice. Despite their increasing salience, relatively little is known about the perspectives of mental health social workers regarding how they navigate competing risk management approaches in modern practice that supports empowerment. The socio-cultural influences on risk management have also received insufficient attention in social work research. Focusing on these issues, this paper explored the perspectives of social workers in two geographically and culturally distinctive settings (i.e., Hong Kong and Sydney). Data were collected through semi-structured interviews with frontline social workers and were analysed using thematic analysis. Similar views were expressed by participants in both settings regarding assessment of clients’ readiness for risk-taking. Differences were identified in their practices of negotiating the perspectives of other key stakeholders and can be attributed to the influences of distinctive cultural and socio-political contexts. These insights may contribute to the development of more systematic, localised and practice-based risk assessment guidelines for mental health practitioners working towards the empowerment of clients.

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.

Training in Behavioral Social Work: A Pilot Study

1997 ◽  
Vol 7 (1) ◽  
pp. 70-78 ◽  
Author(s):  
Karola Dillenburger ◽  
Lidija Godina ◽  
Maxine Burton
Keyword(s):  
Social Work ◽  
Pilot Study ◽  
Human Behavior ◽  
Work Practice ◽  
Social Work Practice ◽  
Project Work ◽  
Theoretical Approaches ◽  
Science Approach ◽  
Student Projects ◽  
Oral Presentations

Social work practice has recently become much criticized. Misapplication of procedures and ill-defined theoretical approaches have led to a view of social work as a semiprofession. A thorough theoretical and procedural revision is necessary. In this article, we will argue that a natural science approach to human behavior, such as that offered by behavior analysis, constitutes a fundamental basis for effective and accountable social work practice. A program that was designed as part of a postgraduate social work course is introduced and evaluated. The aim of this program was to establish students' professional social work competence using well-established knowledge of the principles of behavior. Contingency arrangements for students included tests, project work, and oral presentations. Program design and student progress are reported. A number of examples of student projects are given.

scholarly journals Spiritual Wounding and Affliction

2019 ◽  
Vol 7 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Edward Kruk
Keyword(s):  
Social Justice ◽  
Social Work ◽  
Drug Addiction ◽  
Work Practice ◽  
Social Work Practice ◽  
Spiritual Transformation ◽  
Social Activist ◽  
Hard Drug ◽  
Human Needs

This paper explores the writings of metaphysical philosopher and social activist Simone Weil on spiritual wounding and affliction, as well as implications for the development of a spiritually-grounded and -sensitive social work practice. The nature of spiritual affliction is considered, challenges to discerning spiritual trauma discussed, and barriers to receiving help for those in the midst of such wounding revealed. A framework for social work practice based on a spiritual foundation is articulated, which embraces social justice as focused on human needs and social obligations, toward the goal of spiritual transformation in cases of spiritual wounding. The perspective of those experiencing spiritual affliction in the area of hard drug addiction is discussed as a case study.

scholarly journals Incorporating spirituality and religiosity In social work practice

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Miryang Choi
Keyword(s):  
Social Work ◽  
Critical Race Theory ◽  
Deep Understanding ◽  
Work Practice ◽  
Holistic Approach ◽  
Phenomenological Approach ◽  
Social Work Practice ◽  
Structured Interviews ◽  
Religious Dimensions ◽  
Social Work Practitioners

This study aims to critically examine the current social work practice which is based on dominant western epistemology and positivism, and which often excludes spiritual and religious aspects of clients. Drawing on Critical Race Theory and a holistic approach from the Indigenous perspective for the theoretical framework, this study challenges the dominant research method of random sampling for research. This study adopts a phenomenological approach which seeks a deep understanding of how three social work practitioners with racially and culturally diverse backgrounds view spiritual and religious dimensions in social work practice, and how they integrate these aspects into their practice. With semi-structured interviews, the findings of the study indicate the essence of the experience of social work practitioners who incorporate spirituality and religiosity in their practice. The findings indicate the need for thoughtful discussions on how to incorporate spirituality and religiosity in social work practice without allowing exclusion and harm through religion.

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