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The Swedish public sector has undergone major changes over the last decades, with increased demands to be effective and perform their tasks with high quality, but also with the demand to increase the influence of users and citizens over the support given. This development has influenced how social services organise and how their work is perform, and is one motive given as to why evidence-based practice was introduced. This development can also be traced back to the manager philosophy new public management and neo-liberalism. Evidence-based practice has its origin in evidence-based medicine, which had a large impact internationally from the 1990s.Although there are different opinions concerning how evidence-based practiceshould be understood is often described on the basis of Sackett et al.'s (2000) definition which regards evidence-based practice as an integration of different knowledge sources – the best evidence, clinical or professional expertise and the values and preferences of users. The professional have the responsibility to use all these knowledge sources in the daily work.The purpose of this thesis is to describe and analyse different processes of the introduction of evidence-based practice. One aspect is what these processes have contributed to in terms of organising ways of working and management within social services; another aspect concerns what this means for social work. With a combination of new institutional organisational theory and Berger and Luckmann's (1967) insights into the social construction of everyday life, it is possible to analyse the introduction of evidence-based practice as a process, moving between a macro, meso and micro perspective. The empirical base for this thesis is interviews with 33 personnel from different professions and organisations. Those interviewed from thesocial services include social workers within individual and family services and socialservices managers, as well as regional representatives from a Research and Development Unit. To understand the development of evidence-based practice and its proliferation into social services I also interviewed doctors from health care in a County Council.New institutional organisational theory is useful for understanding how differentways of organising activities are spread between and within organisations. With concepts used in new institutional theory, the focus is on how evidence-based practice travels from medicine to social work, and from a national level to the local social services level, via the regional level. Giddens (1990) terms 'disemedding' and 'reembedding' are used. Different isomorphic processes are recognised in these processes, as well as strategies to decouple or loosely couple evidence-based practice from social services ordinary activities as a way to gain legitimacy. The main findings in the thesis are that evidence-based practice has been introduced with evidence-based medicine as a role model, and that this has been done from different conditions. As is described in the interviews, the development of evidencebased practice has been controlled from national organisations such as the government, the National Board of Health and Welfare and in recent years also the Swedish Association of Local Authorities and Region, while the development within the medical area was governed by national organisations but performed by the medical profession, which advocated the introduction of evidence-based practice within the profession. The regional representatives largely support the myth that is presented of evidence-based practice, and have a central responsibility in the national initiativesconducted; they are intermediary between the national initiatives on development work and the local practice. When evidence-based practice is introduced in social work this has entailed loosely coupling between the myth about evidence-based practice and the ordinary activities, this strategy is especially obvious among social services managers. Furthermore, when a medical model of evidence-based practice is used, although with a broader approach, the introduction of evidence-based practice does not reflect the social workers' education, profession and ways of working in the same way as evidence-based medicine reflects the doctors' education, profession andway of working. The intention to analyse the introduction of evidence-based practice from a micro perspective is about understanding how evidence-based practice is received by the social worker and their managers. When the interviews with the doctors, social workers and managers are analysed there is less coherence between evidence-based practice and social workers' work than between evidence-based medicine and doctors' work. This means that social workers have to shape and construct their daily work anew through internalising the new habits and routines into everyday work, something that takes energy and time, which most interviewees feel does not exist.This thesis also highlights the need for social work to approach evidence-based practice both at an organisational and a structural level, and from the level where the daily work is performed by social workers. Finally, there exists among almost all interviewees a great interest in introducing evidence-based practice, especially among the social workers, but at the moment it is not re-embedded in social work. ; Godkänd; 2014; 20140731 (beneli); Nedanstående person kommer att disputera för avläggande av filosofie doktorsexamen. Namn: Benitha Eliasson Ämne: Arbetsvetenskap/Human Work Science Avhandling: Social Work Approaching Evidence-Based Practice Rethinking Social Work Opponent: Professor of Health Care Organisation Mike Dent, Faculty of Health Sciences, Staffordshire University, Storbritannien Ordförande: Professor Elisabeth Berg, Avd för arbetsvetenskap, Institutionen för ekonomi, teknik och samhälle, Luleå tekniska universitet Tid: Måndag den 29 september 2014, kl 13.00 Plats: A109, Luleå tekniska universitet

The authors analyse three aspects of Brazilian social work. First, they provide an overview of Brazil, a country marked by extreme inequality that permeates the economic and social relationships of its population, including rapid contradictory economic growth and the preservation of inequality. Second, they examine the main challenges faced by the country's social workers. Third, they explore whether Brazil's undergraduate and postgraduate programs are oriented toward professional training that fosters a critical, creative, and propositional perspective. ; Los autores analizan tres aspectos del trabajo social brasileño: en primer lugar, se ofrece una visión general del Brasil, un país marcado por la desigualdad extrema que impregna las relaciones económicas y sociales de su población, incluyendo un rápido crecimiento económico y el mantenimiento de la desigualdad; en segundo lugar, se examinan los principales retos que afrontan los trabajadores sociales del país; y en tercer lugar, se explora si los programas de pregrado y postgrado de Brasil están orientados hacia la formación profesional que fomente una perspectiva crítica y creativa. ; Le autrici analizzano tre aspetti del servizio sociale brasiliano. In primo luogo propongono una panoramica sul Brasile, un paese caratterizzato da un'estrema disuguaglianza che permea i rapporti economici e sociali della popolazione, in presenza di una rapida e contraddittoria crescita economica accompagnata dalla conservazione delle disuguaglianze. In seconda battuta esaminano le principali sfide affrontate dagli assistenti sociali nel contesto socio-economico delineato. In terza istanza cercano di capire se i corsi di laurea e post-laurea in Brasile siano orientati ver-so una formazione professionale atta a favorire una prospettiva critica, creativa e propositiva.

Military social work is a specialized field of practice spanning the micro-macro continuum and requiring advanced social work knowledge and skills. The complex behavioral health problems and service needs of Iraq and Afghanistan veterans highlight the need for highly trained social work professionals who can provide militarily-relevant and culturally-responsive evidence-informed services. Responding to the military behavioral health workforce and service needs of recently returned veterans presents both opportunities and challenges for military social work education. This article discusses the rationale for a military social work specialization, the need for military social work education, and opportunities and challenges for social work education. An integrated model of intellectual capital is proposed to guide strategic planning for future military social work education.

This discussion examines the complexity of the social work profession in the neoliberal era. Government austerity policies and a market and corporate neoliberal state have effectively trapped social work in an ideology that increasingly furthers the authoritarian nature of the profession. This will be discussed by looking at the broader policy, political and economic contexts. It will focus in detail on one specific Conservative government policy document, namely, 'Regulating social workers' (DoE and DH, 2016).

This study explores the current state of social work services in Australian schools. A total of 65 social workers participated in the survey. The majority of respondents had permanent positions and over half of them were working part-time. The number of schools serviced was wide-ranging and the median was 6 schools. The major funding source was state government, the primary referral sources were school staff, and the primary reasons for referral were behavioural and mental health problems. Respondents reported good support from employers and high levels of work efficacy and satisfaction. A large proportion of their hours were spent on counselling, paperwork, case management, and consultations. The major barriers to their work were lack of time, lack of resources, and lack of recognition given to social work perspectives and roles. Given the paucity of literature, findings from this study are expected to lay a foundation for future studies.

Proceedings of the 3d All-Philadelphia conference on social work form part II of the Annals of the American academy of political and social science, vol.CXXI, no.210. ; At head of title: First[-second] All-Philadelphia conference on social work. ; Mode of access: Internet.

A Two Tiered Response by the University of Southern California School of Social Work, Work and Life Concentration, Masters of Social Work and Nurse Social Work Practitioner Sub-concentration in Military Social Work and Veterans Services And Post Graduate Certificate in Services to Military Personnel, Veterans and Their Families ; In response to the increased demand for trained professionals needed to assist in the transition, reintegration and care of America's returning warriors and their families, the University of Southern California, School of Social Work has undertaken the development of advanced graduate training in military social work and veterans services. ; Full Text

The goal of the paper is to analyse the development of social work profession and studies in three European countries: Greece, Germany and Lithuania. The comparative method is used. The objects of the analysis are: the origin of social work and its education, foundation of fist schools, and their creators, further development of education, levels and duration of social work education, credits system, the core subjects of studies, practical work and specializations. The findings show that there is a lot of in common, as well as different in the area of social work. Commonalities of social work development were related mostly to each country's social, economical, political transformation that resulted in great changes in terms of the need of professional help and the acceptance of social work profession. Meanwhile differences mainly occurred when analysing the time of emergence of a particular stage and the rapidity of development. It was observed that commonalities in Germany, Greece and Lithuania lie mainly in core subjects of social work, importance of practical training, as well as in numerous specializations offered. Differences come about when looking at the formal system that is based on undergraduate and graduate cycles, and the credits system.

This article explores the relationship between law and social work. It navigates the importance of the relationship and the similarities and differences between the objectives of legal and social work practitioners. It critically reviews transnational conventions and how individual countries have legislated to safeguard and promote the welfare of children and adults at risk. It reflects on how far nation-states uphold human rights and the rule of law and evaluates how social work has been positioned and has performed in different legislative contexts.

The article aims to provide a brief overview of the legacy of social welfare and social work within former Yugoslavia and how it was enacted and practised in Bosnia and Herzegovina (one of six states within it) as well as the key changes that followed during and after the 1992-1996 war in this country. The overview also highlights specific roles of both international organisations and local decision makers during and after the war and how it impacted both grassroots social work practice and the changing needs of people who use services – particularly the ever increasing experience of poverty and it's various impacts. Within a complex and politicised governance structure, key issues for consideration of the future role for the profession are highlighted.

The previous soviet contract between the state and the citizen was based on the obligation of the state to provide care for its citizens, but Russian citizens still have their expectations of the state-supported social services. In the sector of welfare services and care, in Russia significant developments have occurred since the late 1980s. Social services and the training of qualified social workers are key elements in these developments. A number of social services, social centers, social work specialists have appeared in the last two decades. Higher education training for social workers is a major contributor to these achievements. According to the current legislation, the recipient of social services in Russia is a person or a family in a difficult life situation, defined as a circumstance that contravenes or may damage the livelihood of a citizen (family) and requires professional support and assistance. ; El anterior contrato soviético entre el estado y el ciudadano, estaba basado en la obligación del estado de prestar atención a sus ciudadanos. Sin embargo, los ciudadanos rusos todavía tienen expectativas de que el estado apoye los servicios sociales. Desde finales de los Ochenta se han producido cambios significativos en el sector de los servicios sociales y la protección social. En esta evolución son elementos clave los servicios sociales y la formación de trabajadores sociales cualificados. En las últimas dos décadas han aparecido servicios sociales, centros sociales y trabajadores sociales especializados. La educación superior de trabajadores sociales es una importante contribución a estos logros. En Rusia, según la legislación vigente, el beneficiario de los servicios sociales es una persona o una familia en dificultad. Esta es definida como una circunstancia que vulnera o puede poner en peligro la subsistencia de un ciudadano (familia) y requiere apoyo y asistencia profesional. ; Il precedente contratto tra lo Stato e il cittadino di epoca sovietica si basava sull'obbligo del primo di fornire cure al secondo. Ancora oggi i cittadini russi si attendono servizi sociali erogati dallo Stato. Dalla fine degli anni Ottanta, nel settore dei servizi di assistenza e cura, si sono registrati sviluppi significativi in Russia. I servizi sociali e la formazione degli assistenti sociali qualificati sono gli elementi chiave dell'attuale nuovo corso. La formazione di livello universitario pure. Il destinatario dei servizi sociali è una persona o una famiglia che vive una situazione difficile, definita come quella circostanza che danneggia o può danneggiare la vita di un cittadino (famiglia) e che richiede supporto e assistenza professionali.

The increasing fragmentation and the rising number of organizations in society create major challenges when implementing knowledge structures. In this article, we propose that the concept of metagovernance is useful when addressing these challenges. The enhancement of knowledge structures in the Swedish social services is our study object. Networks at national, regional and local levels have been organized and facilitated by national resources and agreements since 2003. The shifting of participants, switching assignments and ambiguity about the networks' purposes created difficult conditions for successful implementation. In this paper, we argue that fragile top-down government and shifting local network organization provide limited opportunities to ensure that new knowledge structures will have an impact on social work practice. Research is based upon monitoring a national program that started in 2003, affecting five universities and their surrounding regions and municipalities. The article is also based upon observations and interviews among national and regional actors. Results show that national agencies are hands-off, but still in control by setting up legal and discursive frameworks for those networks. It is argued that this creates new challenges for participating organizations and professionals in social work.

This study explores the concepts of joy and resilience in Social Work. It also creates a context for the effect that neoliberalism has had on the profession. It explores how social workers, who have been seen as practicing with excellence, have remained resilient and joyful in this field. The present study provides some insight into the joys of being a social worker, as well as the current political challenges that are inherent within the social work profession. Through a semi-structured interview process, nine participants provided knowledge about joy being a single thread in a multifaceted rope that strengthens resilience in the field and enables social worker to do their jobs. It also provides insight into the benefits of positive collegial alliances, positive client interaction and the importance of education and mentorship for new members of the profession. ; joy ; resilience ; job satisfaction ; neoliberalism ; burnout ; change ; education ; social work

This study explores the concepts of joy and resilience in Social Work. It also creates a context for the effect that neoliberalism has had on the profession. It explores how social workers, who have been seen as practicing with excellence, have remained resilient and joyful in this field. The present study provides some insight into the joys of being a social worker, as well as the current political challenges that are inherent within the social work profession. Through a semi-structured interview process, nine participants provided knowledge about joy being a single thread in a multifaceted rope that strengthens resilience in the field and enables social worker to do their jobs. It also provides insight into the benefits of positive collegial alliances, positive client interaction and the importance of education and mentorship for new members of the profession. ; joy ; resilience ; job satisfaction ; neoliberalism ; burnout ; change ; education ; social work

This short article explores the expanding and contested terrain of social work ethics, considering the form and content of future areas for development. It charts the broadening of the field beyond a focus on professional codes of ethics, principle-based theories, difficult cases and decision-making models towards more embedded and situated approaches to ethics in professional life. The potential for further empirical research into ethical issues in social work, including how practitioners conceptualize and handle ethical difficulties, is noted, alongside the scope for focused studies and monographs drawing on moral, political and religious philosophy to examine particular theoretical approaches (such as virtue ethics or the ethics of care) or to develop new ways of approaching ethics in social work, drawing on its radical, critical and transformatory traditions.