‘What is left…?’: The implications of losing Maintained Nursery Schools for vulnerable children and families in England

This TACTYC funded research highlights the role that Maintained Nursery Schools (MNS) play in supporting families within areas of extreme social deprivation in the UK. Data collected through survey and interview demonstrated the positive impact that these schools have upon disadvantaged children and their families, providing a breadth and depth of ongoing care, against a backdrop of ongoing fiscal cuts and uncertainty. Often this provision was in lieu of the reported minimisation of other social services support for struggling families. We argue in this paper that the loss of these state institutions could be highly detrimental to the families that they currently support.     

Listening to the Voices of Lesbians Diagnosed with Cancer

Abstract

This paper focuses on the operations of heterosexism and strategies to counter it in a particular service context: the context of psychosocial support services for women with cancer. The paper draws on findings from a participatory, qualitative study set in Ontario, Canada in which 26 lesbians were interviewed about their experiences of cancer diagnosis, treatment, health care and social support, and their feelings and perceptions about shifts in identity, body, sexuality and relationships. This paper focuses on findings related to the changes research participants perceived as necessary in the provision and organization of cancer support services, in order to increase access and ensure equity for lesbians with cancer and their families.     

Family Caregivers for Seniors in Rural Areas

In this article, the demographic characteristics of family caregivers for seniors in rural communities are assessed to examine whether their circumstances could facilitate or impede their well-being. Services available in rural communities for family members providing ongoing care to frail seniors is examined, particularly those that provide health and social services. How families access these services and whether there are specific barriers in service provision are analyzed based on current social work practice and the research literature. Trends for future services are identified as well as whether these trends support new roles for social workers in rural settings.     

Community-based psychosocial rehabilitation for schizophrenia service users in the north west province of South Africa: A formative study

Psychosocial support is recognized as important for recovery for service users with schizophrenia, in addition to provision of antipsychotic medication. This study aimed to develop a community-based psychosocial rehabilitation programme for service users with schizophrenia to be facilitated by auxiliary social workers, and to investigate acceptability and feasibility of the programme. A task-sharing approach was adopted in which auxiliary social workers were trained to facilitate psychosocial rehabilitation groups. In-depth individual qualitative interviews were conducted with six group members at baseline, midpoint, and endpoint (18 interviews in total). NVivo10 was used to store data and conduct qualitative framework analysis. Participants reported benefits of the programme, including improvements in group members’ self-esteem, social support, illness knowledge, self-care, and contribution to their households. A key barrier to acceptability was the lack of provision of income generating opportunities. Implementation challenges include difficulties in tracing and engaging service users and families, lack of an appropriate venue, and issues with supply of antipsychotic medication. This study has provided evidence for the benefits and acceptability of this contextually adapted programme. Key barriers to implementation can be addressed through the provision of the necessary resources for auxiliary social worker input in the community.     

The trickle‐down effect of ethical leadership in nonprofit soccer clubs

Nonprofit soccer clubs are currently facing many ethical challenges, such as abuse, doping and match fixing. While research suggests that organizational (board) ethical leadership may be effective to tackle these ethical issues, empirical support in the context of sport remains limited. Drawing on the perceptions of a sample of nonprofit soccer players (n = 438) and coaches (n = 106), we indicate that the coaches play an important mediating role regarding the associations between board ethical leadership and ethical climate. The theoretical underpinnings of ethical leadership—formed by social learning theory and social exchange theory—and the social distance between the board and the players in nonprofit soccer clubs provide support in this regard. In sum, our results demonstrate that the influence of board ethical leadership in nonprofit soccer clubs partly trickles down to the players via coach ethical leadership. Finally, practical implications for nonprofit soccer club management are discussed.     

FAMILIES’ CARE OF THEIR CHILDREN WITH SEVERE DISABILITIES IN AUSTRALIA

In Australia, from the 1980s, the processes of de-institutionalization and non-institutionalization have resulted in most children with severe disabilities being cared for at home. Current Australian government policy suggests that care increasingly will be undertaken in the home. The needs of families, then, is an area that requires attention. The findings in this paper are drawn from a series of qualitative in-depth interviews with parents of children with severe disabilities and, in particular, I highlight issues raised in relation to income, work, leisure and social relationships. Typically, despite the provision of formal (and informal) support services, participation in the wider community is limited. I argue that the provision of support services has been inadequate to enable engagement in activities that other families take for granted and that greater social policy attention is warranted.     

Social support among homeless and housed mothers: an integrative review

Homelessness has been associated with levels of stress beyond the normal strain of living in poverty. For mothers who are homeless, support from their social networks may provide a buffer from some of the stresses associated with being homeless. To better understand the relationship between social support and female-headed homeless families, an integrative review was conducted of 12 research articles that compare social support among low-income housed mothers and homeless mothers, using guidelines set forth by Ganong. The included studies revealed four significant attributes of social support among housed and homeless mothers: size of the social support network; composition of the social support network; contacts with members of the social support network; and perceived support from members of the social support network. Nurses who work with homeless families are in a position to help develop ways for these families to cultivate and maintain their social support networks while homeless. Nurses can be available to offer support, including the necessary mental health services or referrals.     

Grandparents-An Intergenerational Resource for Families

Abstract

This paper briefly outlines the context and role of grandparents as an intergenerational resource for families in the UK. It is based upon a literature review and practical work being undertaken by the Beth Johnson Foundation with grandparents and partner organizations locally and nationally. The paper remarks upon the ‘rediscovery’ of grandparents in the research literature. The emergence of the beanpole family, the pivot generation, family breakdown and grandparents raising grandchildren, are highlighted as being significant demographic and social factors influencing the position of grandparents. The roles of grandparents are described in terms of practical, emotional and financial support given to families. Both positive and negative feelings of grandparents and their families towards these roles being undertaken are identified. Longstanding deficits in legislation, policy and provision to support grandparents are highlighted, along with some signs of progress being made, particularly in Wales. It concludes with four key messages on visibility, heterogeneity, strategy and the family.     

Rural Social Service Disparities and Creative Social Work Solutions for Rural Families Across the Life Span

The provision of social services in rural areas has historically presented a challenge for social workers. Rural social service disparities are presented in relation to key challenges surrounding the provision of social work services in the rural United States. Barriers that define rurality and hinder the provision of social work to rural families, a multicultural examination of rural community strengths and resiliency, and creative solutions for rural social work delivery are discussed. A case study utilizing collaborative partnerships between rural churches, schools, and community leaders to combat rural homelessness and streamline service delivery for rural families across the life cycle is presented.     

What Changes for Young Carers? A Qualitative Evaluation of the Impact of Dedicated Support Provision for Young Carers

In 2016, the Children’s Commissioner for England reported that the most frequent provision for young carers (YCs) comes from dedicated YC services. This study formed one part of a three-year evaluation of support for YCs and their families provided by the Hampshire YCs Alliance (HYCA), a county-wide collaboration of ten YC services in the UK. It set out to explore the following primary questions; (a) what are the most important changes that the YC services made to YCs and their families? (b) what is it about the services that creates those changes? Semi-structured interviews were carried out in 2017, with YCs aged 9–17 (n = 8), their parents (n = 5), HYCA staff (n = 6) and professionals from other stakeholder organisations (n = 5) and a thematic analysis was undertaken. Reflecting previous research that YCs and their families have a broad range of needs, findings also reveal how YC services support them through a diverse range of interventions. Support led to a diverse range of positive changes for YCs and their families. A number of service features that facilitate change for YCs, as well as ‘key dynamics’ important in facilitating change were identified. These findings have led to a conceptual framework of how YC services facilitate change for YCs and are important for understanding the impact these dedicated services can make to the lives of YCs and how they facilitate change. Together they have implications for the development and commissioning of interventions for YCs and families and how service providers promote their support provision.

     

Service Provision for Preschool Children Who Are Deaf

ABSTRACT

The data reported have been derived from the first national review of preschool service provision for deaf children and their families. This paper examines the kinds of service provision seen as desirable by families with deaf children between 0 and 5 years of age in relation to current UK Government interest in: Universal Neonatal Hearing Screening, family support initiatives including a focus on parent-professional partnerships, and Inclusive Education. Data presented includes families& responses to early identification; the information available following identification; perceptions of their own partnerships with professionals; and the value of family centred services for themselves, their children and for family life. From these data, aspects of good practice are identified and illustrated for consideration in future service development.     

Supporting Asian Deaf Young People and their Families: the role of professionals and services

This paper discusses how Asian deaf young people and their families engage with welfare provision. Our findings, based on group and individual interviews with young deaf people and individual interviews with their parents, explore the assumptions underlying current provision and how they influence the options available to young people and their families. The paper suggests that the welfare state exerts a form of social control where professional help, although well intended, may disempowers Asian deaf people by privileging 'oralism' over sign language, and western norms over other cultural values. On the other hand, positive constructions of deafness privilege Deaf identity while failing to accommodate ethnic or religious diversity, resulting in Asian deaf young people and their families having an ambivalent relationship with the Deaf community. We argue that services need to recognise and address the reasons for this ambivalence if they are to adequately engage Asian deaf people and their families.     

HOW MULTIPROBLEM FAMILIES TRY TO FIND SUPPORT IN SOCIAL SERVICES

This article aims to contribute to a better understanding of the relationship between multiproblem families and social agencies, and in particular of how families try to find support in larger systems. Usually, multiproblem families are also multi‐assisted, since the several problems they live with attract intervention from a wide range of social protection services. This research used a qualitative approach; data were collected from 56 multiproblem households, using a semi‐structured interview. Findings suggest seven categories of families: ‘outsider’ families (who reject the existence of problems, so never try to find support); ‘resigned’ families (who give up looking for formal support after a first refusal, and continue coping on their own); ‘persistent’ families (who insist in getting support from several social agencies); ‘over‐needy’ families (any minimal difficulty justifies the search for formal support); ‘balanced’ families (who apply for formal support only when they experience difficulties in dealing with problems); ‘imprudent’ families (these ask social agencies for support only when problems reach an unsustainable level); and ‘ignored’ families (who do not try to get support, and no formal help reaches them).     

Disability facilitators' views of their work with children/youth with disability in South Africa

Children and youth including those with impaired body function or structure, in under resourced areas, can be disadvantaged in terms of education and health care, and can experience social hardship. Within South Africa, personal, health and education support to individual children and their families in under-resourced areas is provided by care workers from the National Association of Child Care Workers. This organisation also provides training and support to their care workers to take on the role of Disability Facilitator, to extend their services to children with impaired body function or structure. This study established the views of Disability Facilitators about their work. Fourteen participants (aged 25–54 years) were individually interviewed at their own worksite. Two themes were identified from the data - Empowerment and Burden of responsibility.The theme of ‘Empowerment’ encapsulated how participants viewed disability more widely than as it relates to impaired body function and structure. Disability Facilitators empowered children and their families in a holistic way, and advocated within their community to address negative perceptions about disability. They supported the wellbeing and participation of children with disability within their local communities, and perceived their work as motivating and worthwhile. However, the second theme ‘Burden of responsibility’ encapsulated the challenges in feeling solely responsible for disability support in their community and in providing care and support for children living in dysfunctional families. They recommended all care workers receive training about disability issues to reduce the burden of responsibility on themselves. This study has demonstrated the worth of Disability Facilitators to address the challenges inherent in disabling environments. This approach to service provision offers useful insights that could be adapted into other countries and contexts.     

Teaching Note—Incorporating Journal Clubs Into Social Work Education: An Exploratory Model

This article outlines the implementation of a journal club for master's and doctoral social work students interested in mental health practice. It defines educational journal clubs and discusses the history of journal clubs in medical education and the applicability of the model to social work education. The feasibility of implementing journal clubs in a school of social welfare is highlighted. The journal club received high ratings on student evaluations indicating participants thought it was a valuable addition to their education. Journal clubs align with the program mission and goals of the Educational Policy and Accreditation Standards (EPAS) set forth by the Council of Social Work Education (CSWE), and they can be an affordable, easily implemented, and sustainable supplement to traditional research curricula.     

Factors associated with provision of instrumental social support for physical activity in a foster parent population

PurposeTo examine demographic and psychosocial factors associated with foster parent’s provision of instrumental social support for physical activity among foster youth.MethodNinety-one foster parents completed surveys to assess perceptions of foster child physical activity (activity level, enjoyment, and coordination), five psychosocial variables from Theory of Planned Behavior (positive and negative behavioral beliefs, normative beliefs, perceived behavioral control) and self-efficacy to provide instrumental social support for youth physical activity. Associations between these variables and instrumental social support were determined using multiple regression analysis.ResultsMore supportive normative beliefs and higher self-efficacy for providing instrumental social support, and length of time a foster child resided in the foster parent household were significantly associated with greater provision of instrumental social support.ConclusionAmong foster parents, the perceived social expectations about providing instrumental social support and self-efficacy to provide instrumental social support for physical activity appear to be important influences on foster parent provision of instrumental social support for youth physical activity.     

Holidays for children and families in need: an exploration of the research and policy context for social tourism in the UK

Although provision of holidays for families in need has been mainstreamed within the social care policies of many countries in the rest of Europe, ‘social tourism’ has yet to be adopted in the United Kingdom. This article reports on a scoping study of research and policy in this area. While there is limited robust research on the impact of holidays, emerging evidence supports a range of claims for benefits to children and families. The article concludes that both political emphasis on social inclusion and pan-European initiatives on ‘Tourism For All’ currently provide an opportunity for the provision of holidays for families in need to be placed firmly on the social care agenda.     

Challenging implicit bias: preparing students to practice with African American families

ABSTRACT

The disparity of African American families in the foster care system is a concern in the field of child welfare services and the social work profession. African American families experience unique challenges related to discriminatory practices and implicit biases in the child welfare system and by mandated reporters. To address these inequalities, state and local agencies have implemented prevention and intervention services to support minority families. Additionally, child welfare agencies have invested in professional development training for their workers to alleviate possible intolerant practices. This article describes implicit biases and considers how they could contribute to the disparity of African American families involved in the child welfare system. Furthermore, the article presents approaches to help social work students to identify and challenge their implicit biases to support culturally sensitive practices while working with African American families. It concludes with implications for social work education.     

Social Work's Role in Prenatal Diagnosis and Genetic Services: Current Practice and Future Potential

Abstract

Although the development of sophisticated technologies associated with prenatal testing processes have assisted in the practice of prenatal diagnosis, limited attention has been given to the complexities surrounding the decision-making processes for pregnant women following a poor or fatal diagnosis. An emerging international body of knowledge suggests that the process of having prenatal testing and then deciding on whether to continue a wanted pregnancy is often difficult and traumatic. In the last 50 years, social workers have played an invaluable role in the provision of holistic counselling and support for children and families in a range of areas and contexts. This paper highlights the unique contributions that social workers can bring to the field of prenatal testing. It emphasises the consideration of strengths and values inherent within social work practice that provides appropriate and timely support for women who have received a poor or fatal diagnosis following prenatal testing.     

Malawi goes to scale with anti-AIDS clubs and popular media

This paper evaluates a project in Malawi that aimed to provide in-school and out-of-school youth with the necessary tools and skills to avoid high-risk sexual behavior, in order to reduce HIV transmission. Project components were school curriculum; extra-curricular activities; out-of-school youth clubs; enabling environmental support; youth reproductive health services; and research, monitoring and evaluation. Non-governmental organizations (NGOs) and Youth Technical Committees established 3200 anti-AIDS Clubs throughout Malawi. These Clubs positively influenced members' behavior and helped to ‘break the silence’. An enabling environment was created through two popular radio programs, advertisements and provision of sports equipment. The out-of-school youth clubs needed clearer criteria and objectives. Many objectives were achieved, but the aim of establishing health services for youth was over-ambitious, and not achieved. This program is exemplary for the national scale that it achieved, and for its approach of using diverse partners to implement locally adapted components.