scholarly journals Critical Reflection: An Imperative Skill for Social Work Practice in Neoliberal Organisations?

2021 ◽  
Vol 10 (3) ◽  
pp. 97
Author(s):  
Christine Morley ◽  
Charlie O’Bree
Keyword(s):  
Social Work ◽  
Critical Analysis ◽  
Critical Incident ◽  
Critical Reflection ◽  
Research Question ◽  
Work Practice ◽  
Social Work Practice ◽  
Neoliberal Governmentality ◽  
A Value ◽  
Research Findings

Social work practice and education have been significantly impacted by neoliberal governmentality, which can greatly undermine the espoused social justice mission of social work. This study explores the research questions: How might critical reflection support social work practice in neoliberal organisations? And how might critical analysis using insights from critical theorists fortify the findings of critically reflective research? This study uses critical reflection on a critical incident (from Author 2’s practice) as a methodology to respond to the first research question. It further analyses the findings of the critically reflective inquiry by drawing on relevant concepts from critical theorists to respond to the second question and expand the possibilities for practitioners to develop emancipatory practices in neoliberal organisations. The findings suggest critical reflection on the critical incident examined was effective in improving social work practice, and that additional critical analysis of the wider issues raised by the research findings may enhance social work as a value-driven, client-centred and social change-oriented profession. The article highlights the benefits and outcomes of working in a critically reflective way, and makes an original contribution to the growing literature that suggests critical reflection is a vital skill for social work practice in neoliberal organisations.

Reflecting on a second-migration experience: Issues and implications for social work practice

2020 ◽  
pp. 002087282096218
Author(s):  
Wook-Mo Kang ◽  
Jeongmi Lim ◽  
Hong-Jae Park
Keyword(s):  
Social Work ◽  
New Zealand ◽  
Critical Reflection ◽  
Work Practice ◽  
Social Work Practice ◽  
Fluid Migration ◽  
Soft Landing ◽  
Migration Experience ◽  
Research Findings ◽  
Depth Interviews

The purpose of this article is to present the research findings from a qualitative study on a type of second migration experienced by Korean-New Zealand immigrants in Australia. Data were collected from 16 in-depth interviews with those people who initially moved from South Korea to New Zealand, and then migrated to Australia. The study findings show that the participants were likely to experience ‘soft-landing’ relocation, ethnically internal belonging and identity flexibility. A critical reflection on this second-migration phenomenon is presented in order to help social work professionals broaden their perspectives on today’s fluid migration and its implications for practice.

scholarly journals Emotional intelligence as a part of critical reflection in social work practice and research

2021 ◽  
pp. 147332502110247
Author(s):  
Mari D Herland
Keyword(s):  
Emotional Intelligence ◽  
Social Work ◽  
Social Workers ◽  
Critical Reflection ◽  
Work Practice ◽  
Social Work Practice ◽  
Emotional Reactions ◽  
Social Work Research ◽  
Emotional Aspects

Social workers often experience higher levels of burnout compared with other healthcare professionals. The capacity to manage one’s own emotional reactions efficiently, frequently in complex care settings, is central to the role of social workers. This article highlights the complexity of emotions in social work research and practice by exploring the perspective of emotional intelligence. The article is both theoretical and empirical, based on reflections from a qualitative longitudinal study interviewing fathers with behavioural and criminal backgrounds, all in their 40 s. The analysis contains an exploration of the researcher position that illuminates the reflective, emotional aspects that took place within this interview process. Three overall themes emerged – first: Recognising emotional complexity; second: Reflecting on emotional themes; and third: Exploring my own prejudices and preconceptions. The findings apply to both theoretical and practical social work, addressing the need to understand emotions as a central part of critical reflection and reflexivity. The argument is that emotions have the potential to expand awareness of one’s own preconceptions, related to normative societal views. This form of analytical awareness entails identifying and paying attention to one’s own, sometimes embodied, emotional triggers.

scholarly journals Digitalization of Critical Reflection with ATLAS.ti Software in Social Work Supervision

2021 ◽  
Vol 10 (3) ◽  
pp. 95
Author(s):  
Komalsingh Rambaree ◽  
Nessica Nässén
Keyword(s):  
Social Work ◽  
Reflective Practice ◽  
Critical Reflection ◽  
Work Practice ◽  
Social Work Practice ◽  
Digital Tools ◽  
Fundamental Part ◽  
Technological Tool ◽  
Supporting Tool ◽  
Social Work Supervision

In this technology-driven era, the digitalization of social work practice is becoming almost mandatory in many countries, especially in Europe. Within this context, it is important to look at the possibilities and challenges for the digitalization of critical reflection, which is a fundamental part of social work practice. Using a conceptual and theoretical framework based on reflective practice, critical reflection, and experiential learning, this article aims to outline and discuss the use of ATLAS.ti software as a supporting tool in digitalizing critical reflection in social work supervision (SWS). For illustrative purposes, a case example of child welfare from Sweden is used. This article considers both the benefits and challenges of using ATLAS.ti as a technological tool for the digitalization of critical reflection in SWS. It concludes that social workers’ autonomy and wellbeing need to be at the center in deciding about the use of digital tools such as ATLAS.ti in SWS.

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.

Developing and Sustaining Critical Reflection on Social Work Practice

2021 ◽  
pp. 121-136
Author(s):  
Laura Béres ◽  
Stephanie L. Baird ◽  
Joanna Bedggood ◽  
Katherine Bodkin ◽  
Hiedi Britton-deJeu ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Social Work ◽  
Critical Reflection ◽  
Work Practice ◽  
Social Work Practice

scholarly journals Social work disaster emergency response within a hospital setting

2016 ◽  
Vol 25 (2) ◽  
pp. 69-77
Author(s):  
Penny Maher ◽  
Jane Maidment
Keyword(s):  
Social Work ◽  
Emergency Response ◽  
Critical Incident ◽  
Hospital Setting ◽  
Work Practice ◽  
Social Work Practice ◽  
Major Focus ◽  
The Social ◽  
New Learning ◽  
Post Disaster

This article outlines the social work contribution to a series of post-disaster emergency response interventions occurring in the Canterbury region between 2007 and 2012. While the earthquakes of September 4th 2010 and February 22nd 2011 provide the major focus for discussing the tasks and processes involved in emergency response interventions, an earlier critical incident involving a large number of youth prompted the development of the emergency response protocols. These protocols are discussed in light of the social work response to the Canterbury earthquakes. The challenges encountered through working in a rapidly changing physical and professional context are outlined including a discussion about the application of diverse forms of debriefing. New learning for social work practice derived out of engagement with emergency response work is summarised.

scholarly journals Social Work with Muslims: Insights from the Teachings of Islam

2005 ◽  
Vol 6 (2) ◽  
Author(s):  
Abdullahi Barise
Keyword(s):  
Social Work ◽  
Work Practice ◽  
Social Work Practice ◽  
Western World ◽  
Way Of Life ◽  
Socially Constructed ◽  
A Value ◽  
The Social ◽  
Work Integration ◽  
Work Knowledge

Social work knowledge and skills are socially constructed. Professional social work was initiated in the Western world in the early twentieth century on the basis of a secular, euro-centric worldview (Graham, 2002, 2005). Thus, social work is shaped by the European and North American (hereafter the West) socio-cultural contexts in which it originates (Payne, 1997). However, multicultural sensitivity has been a value held by the social work profession for decades (e.g., Latting, 1990). Additionally, as professional social work is internationalised, its indigenisation has been gaining more acceptance lately world wide (Hokenstad, Khinduka, & Midgley, 1992; Hokenstad, Midgley, 1997). As well, as more and more models of social work emphasize the importance of understanding clients’ worldview for effective social work, integration of spirituality in social work is increasingly being called for. As Van Hook, Hugen, and Aguira put it, “as wholistic, empowerment-focused, and culturally appropriate approaches to social work practice become more widely adopted, the ability to integrate spirituality and religion into practice will become a critical professional skill.” (2001, p. 3). However, since Islam is a complete way of life, spirituality is viewed in Islam as uniquely comprehensive (e.g., Abdalati, 1986; Barise & France, 2004; Haneef, 1999; Lahkim, Barise, & Boukhobza, 2004; Zaid & Barise, 2004).

scholarly journals Including Psychosocial Factors in Screening for Surgery: A Preliminary Literature Review from a Social Work Perspective

2018 ◽  
Vol 5 (1) ◽  
pp. 61
Author(s):  
Kym Frances Cranstoun ◽  
Rowanne Emma Wright ◽  
Pim Kuipers
Keyword(s):  
Social Work ◽  
Psychosocial Factors ◽  
Research Question ◽  
Hospital Setting ◽  
Work Practice ◽  
Social Work Practice ◽  
Psychosocial Screening ◽  
Research Investment ◽  
The Social ◽  
Social Screening

Introduction: The area of psychosocial screening for surgery holds considerable potential for social work practice, but to date there is little clarity regarding tools or roles.Methods: A practice-based scoping review was conducted by social workers to provide an overview of relevant issues. Articles were screened for alignment with the research question, as well as for quality and relevance. Of the 26 articles included, quality and relevance varied considerably.Results: The review summarised key psychosocial factors, screening issues, intervention issues and organisational aspects in the literature. It elucidated the importance of psychosocial factors in the acute hospital setting and specifically in the case of surgery. While the review found that there were many tools associated with psycho-social screening, there was no consensus as to which tool was most appropriate. There appeared to be little connection between tools and potential interventions, or indeed little consensus on suitable interventions.Conclusion: Reviewed articles suggested that appropriate psychosocial screening and intervention would result in considerable individual and systems benefits. This is an area that requires greater clarity and research investment from the social work profession.

scholarly journals Lessons From Whakapapa and Filial Piety: Can Social Work Capitalize on the Connection That Survives Death?

2020 ◽  
Vol 4 (Supplement_1) ◽  
pp. 419-419
Author(s):  
Hong-Jae Park
Keyword(s):  
Social Work ◽  
New Zealand ◽  
Filial Piety ◽  
Work Practice ◽  
Social Work Practice ◽  
Ancestor Veneration ◽  
Social Lives ◽  
Research Findings ◽  
The Dead ◽  
Potential Area

Abstract Ageing is part of life, and so is death. Although death will involve all of us over time, it is often regarded as a taboo topic, and bonds with the dead are seldom acknowledged in contemporary times. The paper presents selected insights on the connection that survives death, learned from a qualitative study on two indigenous knowledges—whakapapa (genealogical connections in Maori) and filial piety (respect/care for ancestors). Data were collected from interviews with 49 key informants (Maori=25; Korean=24) in 2018/19 in New Zealand and South Korea. The research findings indicate that the connectedness with ancestors or deceased loved ones is a significant part of the participants’ mental and social lives. Māori (the first nation people of New Zealand) have established the unwritten convention of whakapapa as the core value that places whānau (family) at the centre of social relationships. In Korean culture, its filial piety/ancestor veneration tradition has emphasised the connection between deceased and living family members. Criticism about the traditions of whakapapa and filial piety was also raised by a few participants. The significance of this study is situated in the innovative perspective that the post-mortem relationship can be embodied, not only by the living who practise memorial respect for the dead, but also by those older people who establish after-life legacy before death. To help capitalise on this whakapapa connection, the so-called concept of “memorial social work” is presented as a potential area of social work practice, which has critical implications in the ageing/end-of-life related fields.

Macao’s welfare model: An extreme world of welfare capitalism?

2012 ◽  
Vol 57 (6) ◽  
pp. 676-687 ◽  
Author(s):  
Dicky Wai Leung Lai
Keyword(s):  
Social Work ◽  
Social Policy ◽  
Work Practice ◽  
Social Work Practice ◽  
Welfare States ◽  
The Other ◽  
Social Structures ◽  
Welfare Capitalism ◽  
Research Findings ◽  
Welfare Model

This study compared the modification impact of Macao’s social policy on its capitalist social structure with the modification impact of six welfare states’ social policies on each of their capitalist social structures. It found that Macao’s social policy had the lowest modification impact of all states considered, and that it did not appear to fit with the dominant welfare models used in the other six states. We suggest a new model for the case of Macao, and we discuss the implications of the research findings for social work practice.

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