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From time to time reports about xenophobic attacks on foreigners make news headlines in South Africa. As recently as September 2012 the Mail and Guardian reported on the distribution of letters to foreigners living in Mayfair, Johannesburg, threatening them with death because they are foreign (Parker, 2012). The phenomenon of migration, refugees and citizens fleeing their country of origin to settle in another country is an internationally recognised phenomenon and one that is relevant to social work practice. The social work profession strives to improve the quality of life of all as well as promoting social justice, inclusive of immigrants and refugees, without getting involved in the political or ideological struggle associated with the country's foreign policy (Hepworth, Rooney, Rooney Strom-Gottfried, 2013:4). Social workers intervene in migrant-related issues during the course of their day-to-day practice.

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Not much has been written on the subject of reflexivity in social work practice. Taking a definition of reflexivity that encourages the inquirer to consider how various psycho-social positions and power-saturated social spheres have shaped individual meaning and narrative, this article outlines a reflexive model that can be applied by social workers to enhance their understanding and implementation of anti-oppressive practice. The model builds on earlier theoretical work and evaluation carried out by the lead author but updates it by including new theoretical insights from both authors. The conceptualisation centres on five imbricated and power-saturated domains of understanding: the domains of 'psycho-biography', 'relationship', 'culture', 'organisations' and 'political-economy'. The relevance of the model for social work practice in the Republic of Ireland is further considered charting how oppression is manifested within each of the five domains. The article concludes with a consideration of how social workers can practically apply the model within their day-to-day work practice. Here, a reflexive process, starting with the elucidation of a critical incident, is suggested. It is contended that social workers within Ireland can enhance their perceptual awareness of discrimination and oppression by embracing the model noting how their own positionality may be a contributory factor in realising anti-oppressive interventions.

This research set out to examine the development of cultural competence as a concept, education tool, and practice model in social work. A narrative review was utilized to analyze data collected from articles and primary documents retrieved from scholarly and archival databases. Cultural competence (formerly known as diversity education or practice) was analyzed through a historical and theoretical lens to provide context for its current functioning in social work practice and education today. This research examined social, political, and academic influences on the development and conceptualization of cultural competence as it appears in the National Association of Social Workers and Council on Social Work Education policy statements and standards. The findings indicated that social work has been largely reactionary to external social and political influences in its development of policy and curriculum when it comes to cultural competence. Future research on cultural competence development in social work should focus on social worker's perspectives in engaging with the cultural competence model and a critical examination of its implementation and outcomes.

[full article and abstract in English] The aim of this study was to shed light on family social work through analyzing the insights of Lithuanian social workers about the ethical questions that emerge during their daily practices. Social workers' ethical consider­ations are analyzed in the framework of "doing ethics." Ethics work also pays attention to the broader political and social contexts behind the processes that happen within families. Our qualitative research was carried out in three of the largest Lithuanian cities: Vilnius, Kaunas and Klaipėda. Semi-structured interviews were conducted with 25 family social workers. The research findings showed that family social workers construct ethical questions through discursive themes, such as the dignity of the client and societal inequalities – especially poverty issues and social control and support. Ethical dilemmas arise in the settings where social workers do evaluations and make decisions, and where actions require professional knowledge. ; [straipsnis ir santrauka anglų kalba]

Since 2010 the United Kingdom has witnessed a number of initiatives that shift away from reliance on performance management to improve social work with children and families, towards a renewed interest in practice models. This study reports on the evaluation of a local government programme in England to introduce and embed systemic family practice through the roll out of intensive training to social workers and frontline managers. It was anticipated through the programme that child protection social workers would undertake more direct work with families and build more positive relationships, resulting in a fall in the number of child protection plans and children experiencing repeat periods of care. The evaluation adopted a mixed method approach encompassing an online survey of social workers, interviews with team managers and family members, a case audit and statistical analysis of local level metrics. It found limited employment of systemic family practice or improvement due to the programme. Adopting the 7 S framework, this study examines the barriers to and facilitators of successful change and identifies generic considerations for change programmes in child protection social work.

In social work education practice learning is recognised as central to the degree, facilitating the development of practice skills, professional identity and a professional practice framework. Social work practitioners, organisations and social work education are exposed to global, economic, social and political changes and workplace pressures that impact social work education and practice including the provision of student practice learning. Social Work practice learning with 'external' supervision is becoming more prevalent, but in some countries it is considered less desirable than practice learning with 'in house' supervision. The small body of literature on practice learning with external supervision through the use of practice assessors/external field educators explores the benefits and the complexities of these set-ups, but particularly emphasises the importance of establishing and maintaining the triad relationship of supervisor, on-site and off-site supervisor and the provision of continued support. Equally, literature on external supervision raises concerns about the visibility of students' work when the assessor is external to the organisation. Literature also suggests that students are more positive about practice learning where the social worker is on site. This presentation provides interim findings of my current Australian PhD research into exploring 'Social Work Student Placements with External Supervision'. The aim of the research is to explore the experiences of key stakeholders in social work practice learning with external supervision and develop practice in this area. A qualitative approach guided in –depth interviews with Australian students, field educators/practice assessors, task supervisors and university liaison persons. This presentation reports on the experiences of social workers who provide 'external' supervision and assessment in practice learning. The implications that can be drawn from the data for an International context are considered. A range of themes have emerged, including a focus on supervision, relationships, roles, placement preparation and assessment. Preliminary findings suggest that knowledge and understanding of context is dominant in social workers' reflections on their experience.

This study explores if licensed practicing social workers in the state of Minnesota perceive themselves as competent to work effectively with military, veterans, and their families. A qualitative survey was emailed by Minnesota Social Services Association to their members. A total of eight participants responded to the survey. Each of these participants indicated that he or she worked directly with a military-connected client the military. Content analysis was conducted and two themes were found. The majority of participants described not feeling prepared to work with this population and indicated a desire for more education. One of the limitations of this study was the lack of participants. Yet, it sheds light on the fact that social workers do not feel fully prepared to work with this population. Implications for practice include integrating military-connected knowledge into education curriculum.

A substantial number of young people are facing severe difficulties due to wider social, political and economic change. Using a review of the litterature and a descriptive research approach this paper explores issueas of youth education, training, employment and social capital on the Swedish welfare landscape, as important factors in the education of social professions, to understand and meet the needs of young vulnerable populations. ; SP - Young

A substantial number of young people in Western countries are facing severe difficulties due to wider social, political and economic change. Using a review of the literature and a descriptive approach, this paper explores issues of youth education, training, employment and social capital on the Swedish welfare landscape, as important factors in the education of the social professions, to understand and meet the needs of young vulnerable populations. The research found growing uncertain conditions in young populations, growing socio-economic vulnerability, mental ill-health and insufficient access to the labour market. Furthermore, the results of the paper suggest shortcomings in the social services for disadvantaged young people, and current socio-political programmes seem to reinforce the existing pattern of inequality. The insights generated by this study have the ability to inform international, national and local evidence bases in this area. It may contribute to the support of reflective future practitioners who use research as an integral element of improving their holistic client-centred interventions. The article has been prepared in the frame of the project "Social Professions for Youth Education in the Context of European Solidarity"* with participation of Latvian, Lithuanian, Polish, and Swedish universities that deliver programmes of training social professionals.Key words: health and society, social professions, youth welfare, vulnerability, health and society.DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.15181/tbb.v83i2.2063

This article presents the findings of a longitudinal research project that followed the employ-ment outcomes of one cohort of Bachelor of Social Work graduates for three years. Prior to graduation, students receive professional preparation that develops their ability to critically engage with theory and practice. Following graduation, newly qualified social workers require quality induction, supervision and other workload management strategies to support the transition to social work practice. The development of this study was fuelled by political criticism of social work education. Additionally, there was a desire to track the employment outcomes of the graduates and understand what supported their transition to competent professional practice. The findings fit within a five-year longitudinal research project that follows three separate graduate cohorts each for three years to seek and compare participants' experiences for their first three years post-qualification. An anonymous, semi-structured, on-line survey was used to provide both quantitative and qualitative data. By the second year of practice, these respond-ents were taking on the workload of an experienced social work practitioner with widely varied levels of support. By the end of their third year in practice, they reported that they had found little opportunity to apply their critical analytical academic skills to consider the wider social system in practice. Further, the graduates' confidence in their cultural competencies also gradually decreased over the three-year period.

The tea Industry of Assam is one of the lead producers of tea employing a large number ofpeople. The labourers, even though forced to migrate from different parts of India,gradually became a part of Assam. But their life is full of untold sufferings andexploitation. Women tea plantation labourers are further suppressed and abused.Moreover, elderly women in tea plantations suffer from various socio-economic problems.Except one time financial benefit, they do not receive further help from the managementafter their retirement which force them to lead a life of neglect and dependency. They oftenbecome victims of abuse and mental trauma. In this scenario, a social worker can help andsupport them in leading a life without depending on other. They can provide guidance,support and help them by linking them to the various government benefits as well asthrough individualized social work practice. This paper is an attempt to understand theissues faced by an elderly woman in tea plantations through a detailed case study. Furtherit presents an example of geriatric social work practice in tea plantations.

Summary: Social Work Practice Pilots (SWPP) with adults was a government initiative in England (2011-2014) that created seven social work practices independent from local authorities/government. The stated aims were to reduce bureaucracy, promote professional discretion and expertise, and reduce the size of the public sector. The SWPPs were social work-led and comprised between five and one hundred social workers and/or other professionals/non-professionals. This paper describes how the methodology of appreciative inquiry (AI), was used to investigate how the SWPPs in England were developing as independent practices. Information was obtained through two, two-day site visits at each SWPP, and two shared learning workshops with representatives from the SWPPs. Findings: SWPPs were found to be developing in accord with the following four key aims of the pilots: (1) Spend more time with clients (service users); (2) A more responsive service; (3) More control over the day-to-day management; and (4) Think creatively about resource use. SWPPs reported a reduction in bureaucracy and an ability to create flexible practices that more appropriately met the needs of the communities. Applications: The findings provide an initial indication of how social work practice could develop independently of local authorities and suggest possible benefits to staff and clients. The study demonstrated how the AI approach to research and consultancy can serve as a participative learning process when exploring social work practice. The strengths and limitations of the approach are discussed.

The effects of the international crisis brought economic and financial risks, as well as consequences for human, social and sustainable development. This study aims to analyse the effects of social intervention with families since the 2008 crisis in Portugal. Through a qualitative approach, we conducted semi-structured interviews with social workers (23), to identify the main impacts of the crisis and the adopted social intervention practices. We highlight a new increase in social problems and the growth of vulnerable groups facing an unprepared social protection system. The Portuguese case reveals that the effects of austerity have shown a decline in the welfare and benefits system, leading to worsened social problems, such as increased poverty and unemployment, as well as social inequalities. Social Work was required to respond to these consequences, although organisational contexts and austerity measures constrained practitioners' autonomy. By reflecting on this critical period, we seek to contribute to better social protection and assistance models in the face of the current and future crisis. In this sense, Social Work practice ensures a means to guarantee fundamental rights and social justice, preparing social workers and social intervention for new challenges in crisis contexts. ; info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersion

The effects of the international crisis brought economic and financial risks, as well as consequences for human, social and sustainable development. This study aims to analyse the effects of social intervention with families since the 2008 crisis in Portugal. Through a qualitative approach, we conducted semi-structured interviews with social workers (23), to identify the main impacts of the crisis and the adopted social intervention practices. We highlight a new increase in social problems and the growth of vulnerable groups facing an unprepared social protection system. The Portuguese case reveals that the effects of austerity have shown a decline in the welfare and benefits system, leading to worsened social problems, such as increased poverty and unemployment, as well as social inequalities. Social Work was required to respond to these consequences, although organisational contexts and austerity measures constrained practitioners' autonomy. By reflecting on this critical period, we seek to contribute to better social protection and assistance models in the face of the current and future crisis. In this sense, Social Work practice ensures a means to guarantee fundamental rights and social justice, preparing social workers and social intervention for new challenges in crisis contexts.