Integrative Social Work Practices for Service-Oriented Community Governance: A Study From China

Abstract

This study aims to comprehend integrative social work practice within the context of service-oriented community governance in Pan Zhihua, the largest immigrant city in western China. Specifically, we focused on the Jinfu Community, the largest protected and low-rent housing community in Pan Zhihua. Employing purposive sampling, 41 participants, including community residents, neighborhood committees, social workers, and volunteers, were selected from the Jinfu neighborhood for in-depth interviews. The primary data collected were analyzed using ATLAS.ti8, revealing that integrating social work within the framework of service-oriented community governance yields significant advantages. The results underscore the efficacy of social work in contributing to both the task and process goals of community governance. Moreover, the trend of community service integration serves as a valuable platform for enhancing social work practice. The outcomes of this research provide researchers with a comprehensive framework and valuable insights for integrating social work into service-oriented community governance. The framework encompasses aspects such as principles, strengths and pathways, outcomes, methodology, and assessment tools.