Supervision of students: A map and a model for the decade to come

This paper proposes a map and a model for the supervision of social work students. The authors have placed renewed emphasis on the somewhat neglected supervisory aspect and include an integration of adult learning theory within the supervision process. This model is located within a 'map' of the placement process and within a broader understanding of the learning milieu of the fieldwork placement. The authors suggest that this model will better meet the needs of practice in the new decade.     

A Caring Profession? The Ethics of Care and Social Work with Older People

The feminist ethics of care present a challenge to social workersto re-assess not only the place of care within professionalsocial work practice but also the way in which concepts of justice,autonomy and rights are conceptualized and ageing is understood.In this article, the arguments for an ethics of care are consideredin relation to social work practice with older people. It isargued that the feminist ethics of care offer useful insightsthat are relevant to the practice of social work, particularlywithin contemporary demographic, economic, political and organizationalcontexts, all of which have made the task more complex and confusing.     

Involving Service Users in a Problem Based Model of Teaching and Learning

Since the introduction of the new degree in social work in the UK, programmes have been developing ways to involve service users, using differing models. This paper will explore how service users can enhance the inquiry based model of teaching and learning while at the same time emphasising the belief that process and content in teaching and learning cannot be separated. It will also show how this approach, by involving service users as consultants, creates expertise and can provide a ‘legitimate constituency’ and thus allow for meaningful participation of service users at all levels of social work education.     

Educating Resilient Practitioners

Many social workers face challenges maintaining professional optimism and personal well-being in their chosen career. The retention of capable practitioners is important to employers and the wider profession. This paper reports on elements of an ongoing study into practitioner resilience in social work in health and non-statutory practice settings. The project aims to explore experienced social workers' understanding of their resilience in the face of workplace demands and stressors. Findings from a small, qualitative study of experienced practitioners in New Zealand suggest that social work education contributes in multi-faceted ways to preparing resilient practitioners. The authors recommend the strengthening of these elements in pre-service education.     

Latino Immigrants in a New Destination State: A Qualitative Study of Provider Experiences

ABSTRACT

Latino immigrants are settling in new destination states that have fewer culturally and linguistically competent health and social service providers. Social workers are in an ideal position to serve Latino immigrants. Yet, limited literature is available on the strengths and needs of this population specific to new destination states. To help fill this gap, qualitative data were gathered in individual interviews with providers serving Latino immigrants in one new destination state. Key themes emerged from the data, suggesting the importance of family and community, the challenges of immigration-related stressors, and the strengths and gaps in service provision. Implications for practice and social work education are presented.     

Older people’s perspectives on dignity: the benefits and challenges of a qualitative longitudinal approach to researching experiences of later life

Abstract

This article discusses findings from a qualitative longitudinal study of dignity in later life, which focused on the perspectives of older people at a time when their need for help and support was increasing as a result of long-term illness. It reflects critically on the methodology for its ability to generate knowledge about this eventful and unstable period of the life-course. It is argued that a longitudinal qualitative approach provides the optimum conditions for researching older people’s perspectives on their health and illness as well as on their experiences of being helped and supported. It sheds light on the changes they faced in their relationships, their home environments and their daily lives as well as how they dealt with these changes while maintaining their dignity.     

Photographer as researcher in the project ‘Under Gods: Stories from Soho Road’

‘Under Gods’ explores the contemporary circumstances of diasporic urban faith communities along Soho Road in Birmingham, the site of some 30 religious centres and home to over 90 different nationalities. The project photographically traces the quotidian spiritual and material practices, as well as the communities, religious organisations, networks and transnational flows that shape this one street.