1,721,041 research outputs found
Empowerment: A Contextual Perspective
No full textSocial Work: A Critical Turn is both an introduction to critical social work and an examination of current theory and practice. This volume features contributions from an international group of scholars who define the main theoretical underpinnings of a critical approach to social work and examine innovative practice methods using this approach. Social Work: A Critical Turn situates critical social work within a theoretical context, comparing it with postmodernist, radical, feminist, anti-racist and structural approaches. It also reviews key issues that require further development in critical social work theory, practice and research. [Book Synopsis
Care experiences of looked-after, dual heritage young people
No full textThis thesis explores the care experiences of looked-after, dual heritage young people
with one white and one black African Caribbean parent. These young people have a
history of spending longer periods in care than others and the assumption is that they
experience identity confusion because they are neither white nor black. Given that very
little is actually known in this domain, it has been necessary to examine their care
experiences in order to unpack the myths and assumptions surrounding them.
Perspectives from their carers, practitioners and, in some cases, the young people’s files
informed this thesis. The term dual heritage has been used throughout to refer to this
group except when making reference to other people’s work.When considering placements for all children and young people, Section 22 (5) (c) of
the Children Act 1989 stresses the importance of taking into account their religion, race,
language and cultural background. In addition to these factors, I found that practitioners
also took into account the placement family’s ability to support dual heritage young
people in coping with racism. In most cases, this resulted in the young people being
placed in black families. Thus, the implementation of Section 22 (5) (c) can result in the
neglect of dual heritage young people’s ‘white heritage’.This qualitative study used in-depth, semi-structured interviews involving sixteen
young people, carers, practitioners, and case files. The stories told by the young people
highlighted respect as the most important factor in placement and the need to be seen as
individuals with different personalities rather than labelled purely on the basis of their
skin colour. Like all looked-after individuals, these young people need to be listened to,
loved and cared for at all times.This thesis found that looked-after, dual heritage young people are a heterogeneous
group with diverse needs and for them; the ethnicity of their practitioners or carers is
irrelevant. Although they used different terms to identify themselves, these young
people were all comfortable with their dual heritage identity. They reported experiences
of racism from black and white people, institutional racism, as well as racism within the
family. Perhaps, given the diverse groups of vulnerable children and young people in
Britain today, the time has come to re-examine practitioners’ interpretation of the ‘best
interest’ of the dual heritage young person or child under Section 22 (5) (c) of the
Children Act 1989
Going Beyond Counting First Authors in Author Co-citation Analysis
Full text linkThe present study examines one of the fundamental aspects of author co-citation analysis (ACA) - the way co-citation
counts are defined. Co-citation counting provides the data on which all subsequent statistical analyses and mappings
are based, and we compare ACA results based on two different types of co-citation counting - the traditional type that
only counts the first one among a cited work's authors on the one hand and a non-traditional type that takes into
account the first 5 authors of a cited work on the other hand. Results indicate that the picture produced through this non-traditional author co-citation counting contains more coherent author groups and is therefore considerably clearer. However, this picture represents fewer specialties in the research field being studied than that produced through the traditional first-author co-citation counting when the same number of top-ranked authors is selected and analyzed. Reasons for these effects are discussed
Variations on the Author
Full text link“Variations on the Author” discusses two of Eduardo Coutinho’s recent films (Um Dia na Vida, from 2010, and Últimas Conversas, posthumously released in 2015) and their contribution to the general question of documentary authorship. The director’s filmography is characterized by a consistent yet self-effacing form of authorial self-inscription: Coutinho often features as an interviewer that rather than express opinions propels discourses; an interviewer that is good at listening. This mode of self-inscription characterizes him as an author who is not expressive but who is nonetheless markedly present on the screen. In Um Dia na Vida, however, Coutinho is completely absent form the image, while Últimas Conversas, on the contrary, includes a confessional prologue that moves the director from the margins to the center of his films. This article examines the ways in which these works stand out in the filmography of a director who offers new insights into the notion of cinematic authorship
Social workers' use of the language of social justice
No full textThis paper examines the use of social justice terminology by a number of beginning and experienced social workers. Transcripts of interviews about social workers' practice from another of the authors' studies (qualitative study of social work knowledge and skill development) are analysed for use of terminology consistent with social justice ideals, and for other predominant themes. Findings indicate that social justice terms are little used, even when discussing practice scenarios which might clearly suggest issues of social justice. A significant proportion of workers' language demonstrates an awareness of social environmental factors, but a predominant language usage implies approaches which could be seen as inconsistent with social justice individualistic focus on the analysis of practice scenarios, and what we have termed a 'professional', that is, ambivalent orientation towards social action. Implications of the study include the need to question and/or reaffirm the social justice basis of social work, particularly through the construction and use of relevant language to frame our practice
- …
