Showing papers in "Australian Social Work in 2005"
133 citations
TL;DR: In this paper, the concepts of grief and loss are discussed in relation to losses other than death and dying, with the author advancing a theoretically expansive approach to grief, which is consistent with social work practice and is committed to diversity of experience and clients' strengths.
Abstract: Working with and recognising grief and loss issues have long been identified as one of the core skills of social work practice. Despite its centrality, the exploration and application of grief and loss theory from a perspective other than death and dying has received sporadic attention in social work literature. This paper begins with a personal reflection from practice, which provided the catalyst writing in the first place. The concepts of grief and loss are then discussed in relation to losses other than death and dying. An analysis of historical and contemporary theories of grief and loss will then be explored, with the author advancing a theoretically expansive approach to grief and loss. This theoretical approach is one that is consistent with social work practice and is committed to diversity of experience and clients' strengths, as it adopts a framework for practice, which is constantly mindful of the context and meaning systems of social work clients.
70 citations
TL;DR: In this paper, a number of techniques for facilitating reflective critical analysis as a means of eliciting in-depth reflections on practice are described, and adapted for use in social work education, including in class-based and field education contexts.
Abstract: This paper describes a number of techniques for facilitating reflective critical analysis as a means of eliciting in-depth reflections on practice. The authors have previously used similar techniques in the research context, to assist practitioners to identify and analyse the basis of their work with clients. The techniques presented in this paper have been adapted for use in social work education, including in class-based and field education contexts, and to professional supervision.
66 citations
TL;DR: In this paper, a conceptual framework is advanced for assessing the sources of conflict at five levels of analysis: (i) inter-organisational; (ii) intra-organised; (iii) inter professional; (iv) inter personal; and (v) intra personal.
Abstract: Inter-organisational collaboration in the human services is challenging because of the multiple and complex nature of the inherent potential sources of conflict. In this paper, a conceptual framework is advanced for assessing the sources of conflict at five levels of analysis: (i) inter-organisational; (ii) intra-organisational; (iii) inter-professional; (iv) inter-personal; and (v) intra-personal. While yet to be systematically tested, this conceptual framework may assist practitioners, managers and policy makers in the human services to enhance collaboration across organisational and sectoral boundaries.
62 citations
TL;DR: In this paper, the strengths in the existing literature, and also the major gaps in our knowledge of social work practice, education, activism, and professional organisations are identified, and arguments are considered for a greater prioritising of historical research within the social work profession.
Abstract: Historical knowledge plays an important role in the development of social work identity Yet there has been little analysis of the historical literature on social work and social workers in Australia Attention is drawn here to both the strengths in the existing literature, and also to the major gaps in our knowledge of social work practice, education, activism and professional organisations Arguments are considered for a greater prioritising of historical research within the social work profession
60 citations
TL;DR: This article examined how the ascendancy of neo-liberalism has individualised and pathologised public issues and identified four perspectives that have been influential in understanding the causes of domestic violence, determining responses to it and measuring the effectiveness of support services.
Abstract: Using domestic violence support services as a case study, this paper examines how the ascendancy of neo-liberalism has individualised and pathologised public issues Four perspectives are identified that have been influential in understanding the causes of domestic violence, determining responses to it and measuring the effectiveness of support services These four perspectives may be categorised as: (i) victim-blaming; (ii) social movement; (iii) empowerment; and (iv) pathologising From analysing the standard outcome measures currently used for government-funded accommodation programs, the author contends that the pathologising perspective dominates This is partly attributable to the inherent methodological and ethical issues in evaluating programs of this nature However, it is primarily driven by the ascendancy of a neo-liberal, managerialist ideology that has depoliticised and clinicalised domestic violence This has effectively silenced structural analyses of domestic violence and displaced feminist service models
51 citations
TL;DR: In this paper, the authors discuss the findings of a pilot project exploring the benefits and costs of social work student placements to host agencies, and reveal that placements appear to function as pre-employment trials, with 60% of respondents reporting that students were subsequently employed by the practicum agency.
Abstract: This paper discusses the findings of a pilot project exploring the benefits and costs of social work student placements to host agencies. In this qualitative study, 43 supervisors were interviewed about their experiences of the costs and benefits of having a student on placement. Overall, the benefits were assessed as outweighing the costs. The main benefit identified was the work undertaken by students, such as counselling, research projects, evaluations, group work and staff training. Importantly, enhancement of the supervisors' own professional development and reflection on practice was the second most frequently identified benefit. An unanticipated benefit was that placements appear to function as pre-employment trials, with 60% of respondents reporting that students were subsequently employed by the practicum agency. The major costs included time spent in student supervision and student use of agency resources.
50 citations
TL;DR: In this paper, the authors highlight the problems encountered by child protection jurisdictions in Australia and internationally, and they applaud some of the Inquiry's findings, but argue that the path to reform is hampered by insufficient accountability by government and management, and an inadequate challenge to the ideologies underpinning contemporary child protection policy and practice.
Abstract: This paper profiles Queensland's recent Crime and Misconduct Commission Inquiry into the abuse of children in foster care. The authors welcome the outcome as an opportunity to highlight the problems encountered by child protection jurisdictions in Australia and internationally, and they applaud some of the Inquiry's findings. However, the paper argues that the path to reform is hampered by insufficient accountability by government and management, and an inadequate challenge to the ideologies underpinning contemporary child protection policy and practice. The authors conclude with a call to value and assert social work's contribution to child protection systems so as to vastly improve outcomes for children and families.
45 citations
45 citations
TL;DR: In this paper, the authors examine the rapidly changing context for practice in mental health, including policy change, and developments in the education and training of the mental health workforce, and highlight the importance of working collaboratively with consumers and families in a way that values their human rights and the lived experience of mental illness.
Abstract: The reforms driven by the National Mental Health Strategy have created both opportunities and challenges for social work as a profession. This paper examines the rapidly changing context for practice in mental health, including policy change, and developments in the education and training of the mental health workforce. Key practice issues identified for social work include: (i) the need to establish a viable paradigm for practice; (ii) a more positive response to the challenge of evidence-based practice models; (iii) a national agenda for education and training; and (iv) the importance of working collaboratively with consumers and families in a way that values their human rights and the lived experience of mental illness.
42 citations
TL;DR: The historical context to the development of the Aboriginal Child Placement Principle is outlined, which is currently the operating principle for all States and Territories in Australia when child welfare services have engaged with Aboriginal families and there is likelihood that a child may be removed.
Abstract: Throughout the twentieth century, Aboriginal children have been removed from their family and cultural networks under a range of government policies that have professed to be ‘in their best interests’. This article outlines the historical context to the development of the Aboriginal Child Placement Principle, which is currently the operating principle for all States and Territories in Australia when child welfare services have engaged with Aboriginal families and there is likelihood that a child may be removed. Because of problems with the implementation of the Principle, the option of family group conferences is suggested as a way of ensuring the objectives of the Principle are still met. Family Group Conferences originated in New Zealand initially as a response to the over-representation of Maori children in the substitute care system, and have since been part of child welfare legislation in that country for both Maori and non-Maori families since 1989. The application of the New Zealand model to workin...
TL;DR: In this article, a qualitative study was conducted to explore the effects on mothers of boys diagnosed with Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) and found that while medication overall had positive outcomes, there were some negative reactions to the ADHD side effects.
Abstract: Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) is a common diagnosis among school-aged children and needs to be understood within the context of cultural expectations. A qualitative study was conducted to explore the effects on mothers of boys diagnosed with ADHD. Family members were interviewed five times, at 3-month intervals. The boys' teachers were interviewed twice. Convenience sampling was used to choose three couples (and other family members), who had a son, aged 9, diagnosed with ADHD. This paper focuses on the results of interviews with mothers and target boys. Thematic analysis of transcribed interviews yielded several themes, including parental stress, societal expectations, parental confidence and side-effects of medication. Mothers reported that parenting a child diagnosed with ADHD has a significant social, emotional and personal impact. Results indicate that while medication overall had positive outcomes, there were some side-effects for the boys, including negative reactions to the ADHD ...
TL;DR: In this paper, the authors describe an integrated approach to teaching social policy within a unique experience-based social work education program. And they argue that the teaching of social policy should not be separate within the social work curriculum and provide an example of the integration of policy and practice in teaching students about child protection.
Abstract: This paper describes an integrated approach to teaching social policy within a unique experience-based social work education program. It argues that the teaching of social policy should not be separate within the social work curriculum and provides an example of the integration of policy and practice in teaching students about child protection. It examines the teaching of policy practice using a strengths perspective where it is seen as a bottom-up, inductive process rather than an activity carried out by social work experts with or without the participation of their client groups.
TL;DR: The authors argue that there is a need for a more encompassing understanding of the relationships between domestic violence and all forms of marginalisation in the Australian context, and propose prevention efforts must accommodate how class and the effects of poverty interlock with other aspects of social identity to shape the experience of domestic violence for people both victimised by, and perpetrating violence.
Abstract: This article argues there is a need for a more encompassing understanding of the relationships between domestic violence and all forms of marginalisation in the Australian context. Specific attention will be given to the invisibility of class and poverty in contemporary discourse about domestic violence in the mainstream population. That there continues to be a higher prevalence of domestic violence, and more severe physical injury sustained as a result of domestic violence among population groups living with poverty, exposes the partiality of mainstream knowledges informing Australian domestic violence policy and practice. This article proposes prevention efforts must accommodate how class and the effects of poverty interlock with other aspects of social identity to shape the experience of domestic violence for people both victimised by, and perpetrating violence.
TL;DR: In this article, an Australian study on the implementation and evaluation of a Social Work Ethics Audit Risk Management Tool was conducted to determine the extent to which ethics audits are useful and applicable to Australian human service organisations.
Abstract: Findings are presented from an Australian study on the implementation and evaluation of a Social Work Ethics Audit Risk Management Tool. The aim of the research is to determine the extent to which ethics audits are useful and applicable to Australian human service organisations. Over the period of the study, social workers and other human services staff and volunteers used the ethics audit to achieve outcomes that included provision of legitimate space for discussion of ethics in the workplace, and identification of gaps in knowledge and skills about ethical practice, and the policies and procedures that support and enhance such practice. The paper provides an analysis of how practitioners and managers grapple with the concept of ethical risk management, and outlines strategies that were developed in an effort to move towards greater accountability and ethical reflection in practice.
TL;DR: This article used a post-modern framework to investigate and map aspects of the forensic social work, broadly defined as practice, which in any manner may be related to legal issues and litigation, both criminal and civil.
Abstract: This exploratory study uses a post-modern framework to investigate and map aspects of the (re)emerging occupational area of forensic social work, broadly defined as practice, which in any manner may be related to legal issues and litigation, both criminal and civil. The study is the result of each author asking questions about the nature of our professional experience in the field and then testing our thoughts against those of other social workers in the field. Our aim was to initiate discussion about the nature of forensic social work and to question whether our work called upon skills and knowledge that differed from those of social workers in other (specialised) fields. We used a cooperative inquiry method and significant themes and issues were raised with agreement for much of the discussion. The most lively dialogue centred upon the benefit or disadvantage of specialisation, with tensions evident around the perceived elitism some participants attached to the specialist title. The initial investigatio...
TL;DR: In this paper, the authors present co-supervision as an effective and efficient model for field education of social work students, which provides a framework for efficient resource allocation by sharing the responsibility of field education among more than one social work supervisor.
Abstract: This article presents co-supervision as an effective and efficient model for field education of social work students. In our current climate of scarce resources and with a changing workforce that is increasingly feminised and part-time, this model provides a framework for efficient resource allocation by sharing the responsibility of field education among more than one social work supervisor. We will describe a model of co-supervision that we have developed over a period of 6 years. We will be using the findings from our own exploratory study for this model along with practice-based reflection to support our proposal that co-supervision is an innovative and beneficial model for field work education of social work students.
TL;DR: A brief history of Catholic social services in Australia can be found in this article, where the underlying theological base has been Catholic Social Teachings and its impact on the development of distinctiveCatholic social services.
Abstract: This paper provides a brief history of Catholic social services in Australia. The underlying theological base has been Catholic Social Teachings. The paper outlines Catholic Social Teachings and its impact on the development of distinctive Catholic social services. Catholic social services is an umbrella term, which includes the diocesan based services - Centacares, religious orders and lay associations such as St Vincent de Paul Society. A condensed history is presented, which highlights the various stages of the development of Catholic social services. These stages have been identified as the early years of the colony - charity for those in need, Industrialisation and ‘Rerum Novarum’- the right of all people to live in dignity, Catholic Welfare Bureau - improving coordination, training and expertise, Conservatism/Innovation and Advocacy - 1949-1986 and Restructuring of human services - the recent period.
TL;DR: In this article, the authors evaluated an elective course for third year social work students that challenged their perceptions of their own and others' ageing, and stimulated a reflective approach to practice with older people.
Abstract: Social work with older people is often characterised as low status employment and is dominated by medicalised constructions of old age. Consequently, there is a need for educational responses that address students' negative attitudes toward older people and enable the development of practice skills in this area. The present paper evaluates an elective course for third year social work students that challenged their perceptions of their own and others' ageing, and stimulated a reflective approach to practice with older people. Reflective learning techniques were employed in the course, including observations in aged care service settings. Students in the course showed a high degree of interest in working with older people in the future and, although this did not increase much throughout the course, they evaluated it positively, noting greater awareness of issues affecting older people.
TL;DR: In this paper, a structural analysis of theories informing social work practice, according to each theory's basic assumptions about the nature of human society as either conflict or consensus, and human behaviour as a product of either free will or determinism, is presented.
Abstract: Eclecticism in social work has been criticised because interventions may be based on theories that have incompatible basic assumptions The author offers a structural analysis of theories informing social work practice, according to each theory's basic assumptions about the nature of human society as either conflict or consensus, and human behaviour as a product of either free will or determinism Four basic paradigms of practice in social work are created as quadrants within a circle and labelled, respectively, as the functionalist, existentialist, humanist and structuralist paradigms The structure is then modified to establish a fifth ‘heuristic paradigm’ as an inner circle The author suggests that heuristic paradigm theories are those that best accommodate the paradoxical coexistence of free will and determinism, and also conflict and consensus Heuristic practice is therefore not seen simply as intuitive eclecticism, but an active and reflective use of various theories as ‘heuristic tools’ to shape
TL;DR: In this article, the authors investigate the practice views of social workers on globalisation and find that there is a strong interest in the topic and widespread agreement that, in their daily practice, there are a link between local and global issues affecting clients.
Abstract: The process of globalisation, that is, the increasing interdependence of world society, is a controversial movement supported by some because of the potential cross-national benefits, but criticised by others because of the fragmented or uneven distribution of those benefits. As many social workers interact with clients who may be affected by globalisation processes, we were interested to investigate their practice views on this topic. Sixty-six social workers completed a questionnaire that explored the relationship between local and international issues. Practitioner responses indicated a strong interest in the topic and widespread agreement that, in their daily practice, there is a link between local and global issues affecting clients. How this perspective is incorporated into practice, however, was not so clear, and there was some variation within the group of respondents. The paper concludes with some suggestions to further enhance the knowledge on this topic among social workers.
TL;DR: In this paper, the authors explore power differentials in family mediation, with particular regard to cases involving family violence, and argue that social workers have a clear ethical responsibility to support and empower the weaker party during mediation.
Abstract: This paper explores power differentials in family mediation, with particular regard to cases involving family violence. The issue of power balancing is examined in relation to the neutrality of the mediator, which is discussed in the context of the social work profession. The paper argues that social workers have a clear ethical responsibility to support and empower the weaker party during family mediation. The paper examines the issue of family violence, where power differentials are at their most extreme, and the debate as to whether cases involving family violence are appropriate for family mediation. The paper argues that, given the high incidence of family violence in contemporary society, and the inadequacies of the traditional adversarial court process, these families should not be prevented from accessing the benefits of mediation. Techniques for mediating in cases involving family violence are presented.
TL;DR: An innovative university/industry partnership has been developed between the Australian Catholic University (ACU) and Centrelink (the Australian Government's Service Delivery Agency), which has proved to provide clear specific benefits to the School of Social Work at ACU and National Social Work Services Team and also to both organisations more generally as mentioned in this paper.
Abstract: An innovative university/industry partnership has been developed between the Australian Catholic University (ACU) and Centrelink (the Australian Government's Service Delivery Agency). This partnership has been established on a ‘no exchange of monies’ basis and has proved to provide clear specific benefits to the School of Social Work at ACU and Centrelink's National Social Work Services Team and also to both organisations more generally. The authors argue that this type of university/industry partnership offers a framework that has wide applicability in the human services where relationships between training institutions and ‘the field’ appear to be becoming increasingly difficult.
TL;DR: The findings indicate that individuals with a disability were participatory members in the family conference and were able to express their point of view even if it differed from the view of the professional team, but the finding that family members were less engaged in the process suggests that they have different needs to the person with a Disability and these needs might have to be met in a different way.
Abstract: Family conferences are regularly conducted in a number of settings. However, the published literature offers limited insight into the conference environment as created by the interdisciplinary team. The level of client participation in this process remains unclear. A participatory observation study was conducted with an accidental sample in a spinal injuries rehabilitation setting. Language and behaviours exhibited by family conference members provided data for analysis. The findings indicate that individuals with a disability were participatory members in the family conference and were able to express their point of view even if it differed from the view of the professional team. However, the finding that family members were less engaged in the process suggests that they have different needs to the person with a disability and these needs might have to be met in a different way. It is important that professionals develop an awareness of their own language and behaviours and the potential impact of these ...
TL;DR: A review of the research literature that informs current knowledge of parental and family bereavement through suicide, highlights gaps in knowledge, and the relevance of social work practice with respect to suicide.
Abstract: Suicide among young people in Australia remains at unacceptably high levels. Government financial contribution to the National Youth Suicide Prevention Strategy in the late 1980s and 1990s has assisted in raising the profile of this issue. Although there has been a recent slight decline, young people continue to commit suicide. For each suicide death it is estimated that up to six people are directly affected. Yet, these ‘suicide survivors’ remain isolated in grief, with their experience rarely understood by those unaffected. A review of the literature suggests conflicting reports, with little detailed information gleaned directly from parents, about this experience. Often as frontline workers in suicide death, social workers are uniquely placed to appreciate the familial experience of suicide. This paper presents a review of the research literature that informs current knowledge of parental and family bereavement through suicide, highlights gaps in knowledge, and the relevance of social work practice wit...
TL;DR: In this paper, the authors examine the relationship between social work and human rights, and propose a developmental model of human rights and responsibilities, which is applicable to social work theory and practice by demonstrating the counterbalancing forces of individual rights and collective responsibilities.
Abstract: This paper examines the relationship between social work and human rights. It argues that the concept of human rights, as it is currently understood, is insufficient as a framework for social work theory and practice. Human rights are inherently individualistic - a problem that a focus on collective rights does little to rectify. What is absent from the human rights discourse, and what is directly relevant to social work, is a corresponding discourse on human responsibilities. This paper addresses the major criticisms of a human rights discourse by proposing a developmental model of human rights and responsibilities. The model establishes its applicability to social work theory and practice by demonstrating the counterbalancing forces of individual rights and collective responsibilities operating on the person in the environment.
TL;DR: In this article, the authors outline practical strategies in preparing ethics protocols to increase the likelihood of successful review and recognize the way policy, legal developments and risk management strategies influence the ethical review process.
Abstract: Social workers have a long-standing concern with developing codes of ethics, which govern and protect those involved in practice and research scenarios. As more social workers engage in research, successfully negotiating the ethical review process becomes imperative. In Australia, the task of ensuring ethical compliance of research protocols resides with human research ethics committees (HREC) mandated under the National Health and Medical Research Council. However, given the scope for discretion exercised by HREC, this process can be intimidating to novice and experienced researchers. The review process needs to be understood in the context of Australian ethics policy, the roles and responsibilities, and cultures of HREC. This paper outlines practical strategies in preparing ethics protocols to increase the likelihood of successful review. To do this, social workers need to recognise the way policy, legal developments and risk management strategies influence the ethical review process.