Lauren Bochicchio, Avery Jane Carmichael, Cindy Veldhuis, Ana Stefancic
At a time when anti-LGBTQ+ legislation is on the rise in more than a dozen states across the United States, social work providers and researchers must be acutely aware of the ways in which their practice may unintentionally invalidate the identities of LGBTQ+ youth. Concurrently, language used in the LGBTQ+ youth community to describe both sexual identity and gender has moved away from monosexual and binary labels toward nonmonosexual and nonbinary descriptions. The adoption of such language, in practice and in research, is a simple step toward combatting invalidation in the social work field. This commentary explores the expansion of identity labels through the lens of a study conducted across four leading LGBTQ+ agencies in New York and New Jersey with youth and staff. Authors review data that demonstrate the evolution of labels and argue that adopting these terms in practice and research will have fruitful and affirming effects on access to care, treatment attrition, and the design and quality of research in and for the LGBTQ+ community. This shift in language must be comprehensively addressed to ensure that practice and research continue to adopt and advocate for ways to affirm LGBTQ+ people, particularly given the recent onslaught of anti-LGBTQ+ legislation.
{"title":"What We Lose When We \"Don't Say Gay\": Generational Shifts in Sexual Identity and Gender.","authors":"Lauren Bochicchio, Avery Jane Carmichael, Cindy Veldhuis, Ana Stefancic","doi":"10.1093/sw/swad006","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1093/sw/swad006","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>At a time when anti-LGBTQ+ legislation is on the rise in more than a dozen states across the United States, social work providers and researchers must be acutely aware of the ways in which their practice may unintentionally invalidate the identities of LGBTQ+ youth. Concurrently, language used in the LGBTQ+ youth community to describe both sexual identity and gender has moved away from monosexual and binary labels toward nonmonosexual and nonbinary descriptions. The adoption of such language, in practice and in research, is a simple step toward combatting invalidation in the social work field. This commentary explores the expansion of identity labels through the lens of a study conducted across four leading LGBTQ+ agencies in New York and New Jersey with youth and staff. Authors review data that demonstrate the evolution of labels and argue that adopting these terms in practice and research will have fruitful and affirming effects on access to care, treatment attrition, and the design and quality of research in and for the LGBTQ+ community. This shift in language must be comprehensively addressed to ensure that practice and research continue to adopt and advocate for ways to affirm LGBTQ+ people, particularly given the recent onslaught of anti-LGBTQ+ legislation.</p>","PeriodicalId":21875,"journal":{"name":"Social work","volume":null,"pages":null},"PeriodicalIF":2.9,"publicationDate":"2023-03-16","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC10159372/pdf/nihms-1896196.pdf","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"9399999","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"社会学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"Mindfulness-Oriented Recovery Enhancement: An Evidence-Based Social Work Intervention for Addiction, Stress, and Chronic Pain.","authors":"Eric L Garland","doi":"10.1093/sw/swad008","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1093/sw/swad008","url":null,"abstract":"","PeriodicalId":21875,"journal":{"name":"Social work","volume":null,"pages":null},"PeriodicalIF":2.9,"publicationDate":"2023-03-16","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"9162342","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"社会学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"Practicing Social Work in Deprived Communities: Competencies, Methods, and Techniques. Ana Opačić","authors":"N. Sugiharto","doi":"10.1093/sw/swad007","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1093/sw/swad007","url":null,"abstract":"","PeriodicalId":21875,"journal":{"name":"Social work","volume":null,"pages":null},"PeriodicalIF":2.9,"publicationDate":"2023-02-03","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"45324124","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"社会学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
National data indicate that young adults are increasingly vulnerable to the harmful use of nyaope –an illicit drug. Consequently, there is a need for appropriate treatment services. This study aimedto explore and describe the experiences of nyaope users regarding therapeutic services at privatein-patient treatment centres in Gauteng, South Africa. A qualitative study operationalised througha case study design, specifically an instrumental case study, involved 11 cases/participants whowere recruited through a three-phase non-probability sampling process at treatment centres in twoGauteng metropoles. Following a method of reflexive thematic analysis, four themes withassociated sub-themes, are reported. Recommendations focus on tailored service delivery attreatment centres and addressing limitations in policies. Keywords: Nyaope, treatment centre, in-patient treatment, therapeutic services, case study design, substance use disorder, Gauteng province
{"title":"PERCEPTIONS OF NYAOPE USERS REGARDING THERAPEUTIC SERVICES AT PRIVATE IN-PATIENT TREATMENT CENTRES IN GAUTENG","authors":"Noxolo Chairmaine Minenhle Zwane, Stephan Geyer","doi":"10.15270/59-2-1126","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.15270/59-2-1126","url":null,"abstract":"National data indicate that young adults are increasingly vulnerable to the harmful use of nyaope –an illicit drug. Consequently, there is a need for appropriate treatment services. This study aimedto explore and describe the experiences of nyaope users regarding therapeutic services at privatein-patient treatment centres in Gauteng, South Africa. A qualitative study operationalised througha case study design, specifically an instrumental case study, involved 11 cases/participants whowere recruited through a three-phase non-probability sampling process at treatment centres in twoGauteng metropoles. Following a method of reflexive thematic analysis, four themes withassociated sub-themes, are reported. Recommendations focus on tailored service delivery attreatment centres and addressing limitations in policies. Keywords: Nyaope, treatment centre, in-patient treatment, therapeutic services, case study design, substance use disorder, Gauteng province","PeriodicalId":21875,"journal":{"name":"Social work","volume":null,"pages":null},"PeriodicalIF":2.9,"publicationDate":"2023-01-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"67130950","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"社会学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
The sudden onset of the COVID-19 pandemic impacted various sectors, including social work services to persons with physical disabilities. This qualitative study focused on the experiences of adults with an acquired physical disability who needed social work support. To understand these experiences, an ecological perspective was utilised as a theoretical basis. The study was conducted during the COVID-19 pandemic lockdown experienced internationally, including in South Africa. The impact of the COVID-19 pandemic was found to be challenging for persons with disabilities, specifically in terms of isolation, lack of resources and economic distress. Recommendations for future interventions to address the social needs of adults with a physical disability in disaster situations such as COVID-19 are also presented. Keywords: disability, social work, COVID-19, pandemic, experiences, South Africa, person with disability
{"title":"“I AM TOTALLY ISOLATED”: EXPERIENCES OF ADULTS WITH ACQUIRED PHYSICAL DISABILITIES DURING COVID-19 PANDEMIC LOCKDOWN IN SOUTH AFRICA","authors":"Noreth Muller-Kluits, Ilze Slabbert","doi":"10.15270/59-2-1114","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.15270/59-2-1114","url":null,"abstract":"The sudden onset of the COVID-19 pandemic impacted various sectors, including social work services to persons with physical disabilities. This qualitative study focused on the experiences of adults with an acquired physical disability who needed social work support. To understand these experiences, an ecological perspective was utilised as a theoretical basis. The study was conducted during the COVID-19 pandemic lockdown experienced internationally, including in South Africa. The impact of the COVID-19 pandemic was found to be challenging for persons with disabilities, specifically in terms of isolation, lack of resources and economic distress. Recommendations for future interventions to address the social needs of adults with a physical disability in disaster situations such as COVID-19 are also presented. Keywords: disability, social work, COVID-19, pandemic, experiences, South Africa, person with disability","PeriodicalId":21875,"journal":{"name":"Social work","volume":null,"pages":null},"PeriodicalIF":2.9,"publicationDate":"2023-01-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"67131262","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"社会学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Early Childhood Development (ECD) has become a priority area of social work, in both developed and developing countries. In this article, the term ECD supervisors refers to the social workers working with ECD centres in the capacity of supervisor. These social workers can provide valuable insight into the unique management tasks and associated professional development areas uniquely required when working in the ECD sector. The goal of this conceptual article is to identify these professional development areas of management tasks required from social workers who supervise ECD centres. Ultimately, these management tasks are synthesised into three categories, namely tasks which require technical, relational and administrative skills respectively. This is an attempt to preserve the institutional memory of South African social workers, given the current shift of ECD governance functions from the Department of Social Development to the Department of Basic Education.
{"title":"MANAGEMENT TASKS OF SOCIAL WORKERS SUPERVISING EARLY CHILDHOOD DEVELOPMENT (ECD) CENTRES: IDENTIFYING THE AREAS FOR PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT","authors":"J. Ronaasen, L. Engelbrecht","doi":"10.15270/59-2-1124","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.15270/59-2-1124","url":null,"abstract":"Early Childhood Development (ECD) has become a priority area of social work, in both developed and developing countries. In this article, the term ECD supervisors refers to the social workers working with ECD centres in the capacity of supervisor. These social workers can provide valuable insight into the unique management tasks and associated professional development areas uniquely required when working in the ECD sector. The goal of this conceptual article is to identify these professional development areas of management tasks required from social workers who supervise ECD centres. Ultimately, these management tasks are synthesised into three categories, namely tasks which require technical, relational and administrative skills respectively. This is an attempt to preserve the institutional memory of South African social workers, given the current shift of ECD governance functions from the Department of Social Development to the Department of Basic Education.","PeriodicalId":21875,"journal":{"name":"Social work","volume":null,"pages":null},"PeriodicalIF":2.9,"publicationDate":"2023-01-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"67131375","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"社会学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
The blurring of the boundaries and interconnectedness between learning and work are features worth exploring in the contemporary supervision landscape. Grounded on transition-experiential learning theories, the study analysed a social service organisation as a context for learning and examined how this context facilitated or inhibited supervision learning experiences for first-time supervisors. It draws on the qualitative findings of thirteen in-depth interviews whose data were analysed using the thematic analysis. This study found that the transitioning of first-time supervisors into the new role took place through their active participation in an organisational context. It concludes with the notion that workplace learning is a context-specific and interactive process. The social service organisation, with its unique features, serves the purpose of providing an environment for learning, with first-time supervisors afforded the opportunity to learn within the context and through interaction with other role-players. In summary, the study recommends a need for fostering of communities of practice, designing and management of workplace learning programmes, and ensuring the creation of sustainable and healthy workplaces. Keywords: social service organisation, organisational context, supervision practice, workplace learning, social service professions
{"title":"WORKPLACE LEARNING IN THE CONTEMPORARY SUPERVISION LANDSCAPE: THE CASE OF SUPERVISION IN A SOCIAL SERVICE ORGANISATION","authors":"M. Sithole, A. L. Shokane","doi":"10.15270/59-2-1125","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.15270/59-2-1125","url":null,"abstract":"The blurring of the boundaries and interconnectedness between learning and work are features worth exploring in the contemporary supervision landscape. Grounded on transition-experiential learning theories, the study analysed a social service organisation as a context for learning and examined how this context facilitated or inhibited supervision learning experiences for first-time supervisors. It draws on the qualitative findings of thirteen in-depth interviews whose data were analysed using the thematic analysis. This study found that the transitioning of first-time supervisors into the new role took place through their active participation in an organisational context. It concludes with the notion that workplace learning is a context-specific and interactive process. The social service organisation, with its unique features, serves the purpose of providing an environment for learning, with first-time supervisors afforded the opportunity to learn within the context and through interaction with other role-players. In summary, the study recommends a need for fostering of communities of practice, designing and management of workplace learning programmes, and ensuring the creation of sustainable and healthy workplaces. Keywords: social service organisation, organisational context, supervision practice, workplace learning, social service professions","PeriodicalId":21875,"journal":{"name":"Social work","volume":null,"pages":null},"PeriodicalIF":2.9,"publicationDate":"2023-01-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"67131387","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"社会学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Maintaining therapeutic care of learners during and after COVID-19 in South Africa has required significant changes to the way that counselling is provided in schools. While some of these changes are well documented, there are critical gaps regarding the experiences of school counsellors during the pandemic period, globally and in South Africa. Hence this qualitative study sought to explore the experiences of school psychosocial practitioners who are rendering supportive services in private schools in KwaZulu-Natal Province. While the findings show that remote/online therapy is a valid option, all schools should ensure that therapists have adequate resources and the necessary collaboration to provide effective services to the school community. Furthermore, interpersonal, organisational, practice, policy and advocacy-oriented adaptations are required in establishing transformative interventions in all schools to address trauma. Keywords: counselling, COVID-19, psychosocial intervention, schools, South Africa
{"title":"“MUCH OF OUR COUNSELLING IS ABOUT YOUR FACIAL EXPRESSION AND AUTHENTICITY”: SCHOOL-BASED COUNSELLING DURING COVID-19 IN KWAZULU-NATAL PROVINCE","authors":"Ajwang' Warria, Kerry-Jane Coleman, Cyndirela Chadambuka","doi":"10.15270/59-2-1121","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.15270/59-2-1121","url":null,"abstract":"Maintaining therapeutic care of learners during and after COVID-19 in South Africa has required significant changes to the way that counselling is provided in schools. While some of these changes are well documented, there are critical gaps regarding the experiences of school counsellors during the pandemic period, globally and in South Africa. Hence this qualitative study sought to explore the experiences of school psychosocial practitioners who are rendering supportive services in private schools in KwaZulu-Natal Province. While the findings show that remote/online therapy is a valid option, all schools should ensure that therapists have adequate resources and the necessary collaboration to provide effective services to the school community. Furthermore, interpersonal, organisational, practice, policy and advocacy-oriented adaptations are required in establishing transformative interventions in all schools to address trauma. Keywords: counselling, COVID-19, psychosocial intervention, schools, South Africa","PeriodicalId":21875,"journal":{"name":"Social work","volume":null,"pages":null},"PeriodicalIF":2.9,"publicationDate":"2023-01-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"67131274","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"社会学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Decades of research have highlighted the challenges facing child protection services in a developmental approach. The aim of the article is to explore whether the developmental social welfare approach contributes to an improvement of child protection services. A descriptive case study design was applied in the Eastern Cape province, South Africa. The findings revealed limited knowledge among social work practitioners about the implementation of the developmental social welfare approach. The findings also revealed an overwhelmed child protection system that lacks coordinated and integrated services. It is recommended that child protection services be divided into prevention, early intervention and statutory services. Keywords: vulnerable children, Children’s Act of 2005, child protection social workers, developmental social welfare approach, statutory social work
{"title":"IS THE DEVELOPMENTAL SOCIAL WELFARE APPROACH TO CHILD PROTECTION SERVICES WORKING? VOICES OF CHILDREN, FAMILIES AND SOCIAL WORKERS IN EASTERN CAPE, SOUTH AFRICA","authors":"Marinei Herselman, U. Schiller, P. Tanga","doi":"10.15270/59-2-1123","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.15270/59-2-1123","url":null,"abstract":"Decades of research have highlighted the challenges facing child protection services in a developmental approach. The aim of the article is to explore whether the developmental social welfare approach contributes to an improvement of child protection services. A descriptive case study design was applied in the Eastern Cape province, South Africa. The findings revealed limited knowledge among social work practitioners about the implementation of the developmental social welfare approach. The findings also revealed an overwhelmed child protection system that lacks coordinated and integrated services. It is recommended that child protection services be divided into prevention, early intervention and statutory services. Keywords: vulnerable children, Children’s Act of 2005, child protection social workers, developmental social welfare approach, statutory social work","PeriodicalId":21875,"journal":{"name":"Social work","volume":null,"pages":null},"PeriodicalIF":2.9,"publicationDate":"2023-01-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"67131310","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"社会学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Effective social work services in child and youth care centres (CYCCs) depend on how social workers deal with the associated experiences and challenges. This study explored social workers’ experiences and challenges in rendering services in CYCCs in the Tshwane municipal district. A qualitative research approach employing the phenomenological design was adopted, and in-depth semi-structured interviews were conducted. The findings confirmed that social workers have various positive and negative experiences and face multiple challenges in rendering services in CYCCs. Several suggestions to improve service delivery in CYCCs are made. Keywords: social worker, experiences, challenges, social work services, Child and Youth Care Centre (CYCC)
{"title":"RENDERING SERVICES IN CHILD AND YOUTH CARE CENTRES: EXPERIENCES AND CHALLENGES OF SOCIAL WORKERS","authors":"Kagisho Phaswana, Elizabeth Erlank","doi":"10.15270/59-2-1034","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.15270/59-2-1034","url":null,"abstract":"Effective social work services in child and youth care centres (CYCCs) depend on how social workers deal with the associated experiences and challenges. This study explored social workers’ experiences and challenges in rendering services in CYCCs in the Tshwane municipal district. A qualitative research approach employing the phenomenological design was adopted, and in-depth semi-structured interviews were conducted. The findings confirmed that social workers have various positive and negative experiences and face multiple challenges in rendering services in CYCCs. Several suggestions to improve service delivery in CYCCs are made. Keywords: social worker, experiences, challenges, social work services, Child and Youth Care Centre (CYCC)","PeriodicalId":21875,"journal":{"name":"Social work","volume":null,"pages":null},"PeriodicalIF":2.9,"publicationDate":"2023-01-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"67131209","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"社会学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}