Whiting & Birch (E-Journals)
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Outcomes and savings associated with the Quality Parenting Initiative
Get PDFThough several training and support programs for foster carers improve child behaviors, few have been shown to have a large impact on child welfare outcomes such as permanency. Additionally, most training and support programs are expensive. The Quality Parenting Initiative (QPI) aims to improve outcomes at low cost by empowering foster carers as well as caseworkers. This paper uses administrative data to show that the earliest implementation of QPI shortened stays in care for children who were reunified. Savings from shorter stays in care are estimated to be more than three times greater than expenditures
Normative and Positive Social Work in the Context of the Placement Decision: A Defence of Social Workers
Get PDFTwo fundamental questions for social work are considered: one normative and one positive. First, is it possible for social work practice to be based on an objective that maximises social welfare; and second, does social work practice actually conform to some objective, which may or may not maximise social welfare? These two questions are addressed in the context of one of the most important decisions made by social workers - the placement decision. It is argued that deriving a societal objective faces formidable theoretical problems, and that even if a well-defined criterion was available, actual social work decisions would still be inconsistent due to a lack of the requisite information and different interpretations of the available data. It is argued that the substantial empirical evidence from around the world on the placement decision provides little evidence of consistent decision making. This may be because the statistical analyses have lacked the data and techniques necessary to detect the underlying patterns, or because placement decisions are largely random. The apparent absence of clear objectives, either specified by society or accepted custom and practice, places social workers in a very difficult position, making them open to press criticism and victimization, even though they acted entirely competently
Women in the shea industry: The case of Kusawgu in the Northern Region of Ghana
No full text: This research sought to highlight the experiences of women in the shea industry in Kusawgu in Ghana. Recommendations to enhance and sustain the industry were also explored. A total of 60 women from four shea production groups, who lived in Kusawgu, participated in focus group discussions. The data was first analysed separately by the two researchers. Results were then compared to reconcile differences. The study demonstrates that the shea industry undoubtedly provided means of livelihood, self-dignity and respect for the women. Positive outcomes for working in groups include quick processing; sense of belonging and social capital; security and peace of mind; and skills development. However, lack of access to microfinance, travelling for longer distances, the period of time required to get water and fuel-wood, gender-based land ownership discrimination, and extinction of shea trees hamper production and income. Regardless of these challenges the women demonstrated resiliency by their continuous work in the industry. Due to the potential of the shea industry to reduce poverty among women, government should work hand-in-hand with the traditional authority to develop measures to sustain the industry. Social work practitioners could build the capability of the women in the shea industry to access existing pro-poor programmes
International Short-Term Immersion Study Tours: Gen Z, Curriculum, and Trauma-Informed Tours
No full textWith rapid globalization and increased connection among people of the world in the 21st century, embedding global education in the curriculum is now key for interactions in the pluralistic world of today. short-term study abroad programs combine global curriculum with experiences in international settings. However, certain factors in our contemporary world may discourage faculty from considering running these courses. This article seeks to provide educators and college administrators with information about important logistics and curriculum to consider when planning and taking Gen Z’ers on a short-term study tour program, including incorporating trauma-informed concepts. This paper provides creative ways for faculty to develop short-term study tour courses, and integrates ways to assist a population of students (Gen Z’ers) that older faculty members may not be able to fully “relate” to, as well as ways to be cost-efficient and inclusive
How do we professionalise social work without losing our soul? A reflection on the role and purpose of practice placements within social work education
No full textA recurring question of social work is its purpose. To change culture or to help the individual. One drawing on systemic radical social work skills, the other relationship-based social justice skills. Placements are an important part for practicing, developing and consolidating academic learning. It is social work in practice, and the place to hone employability skills. This reflection explores the benefits and challenges of the change considering whether this is towards professionalisation or marketisation
Review of: Developing a Relational Model of Care for Older People; Creating Environments for Shared Living
No full textVirtual Reality: what it offers, and how it can be used easily (and inexpensively) by health & social care tutors.
Get PDFVirtual reality (VR) is an area of significant research interest in many fields, although the paucity of literature relating to its use in social care or field placements may suggest that it has not yet found a role in practice or education. This paper will set out the case for greater engagement with the most accessible forms of the technology, using a case study to show it need not be complicated or expensive. It will also illustrate some of the affordances offered by VR to enhance education
Before and After: Digital story telling with social work students in Northern Ireland
Get PDFAbstract: This article is developed from a presentation given at the 12th International practice teaching conference in Oxford (2018). The authors share their experiences as academics and practice educators of using digital storytelling with social work students in Northern Ireland. Storytelling took place at two distinct points of the students’ learning journey before and after placement. Undergraduate social work students (n=40) in their first semester of year one teaching participated in classroom based digital storytelling with the first author. Placement students created digital stories at two key points during their placements, at the beginning (first to third week of placement) and at the end (16th to 18th week of placement). Several themes emerged including; self-evaluation and reflection, producing and receiving feedback and team work. This collaborative article offers a basis for practice development and professional discussions across disciplines on the use of digital storytelling with students studying for a professional qualification
Transparency of Assessment in Practice Environments. An extension of the TAPE Model
Get PDFFollowing research into UK social work students’ experiences of assessment, ‘Author’ (2018) concluded that not all students appeared to be aware of who contributed towards their assessment nor what constituted reasonable assessment practice. The Transparency of Assessment in Practice Education (TAPE) Model was offered to the practice learning community as a tool to engage academics, practice educators and students in dialogue about assessment during placements. The purpose of the TAPE model is for all stakeholders to explore expectations to avoid misunderstandings and ambiguity about assessment. This article explores the potential use of the model within wider contexts of learning and assessment including the assessment of the users of services. The wider application of this innovative model suggests a name change to Transparency of Assessment in Practice Environments