A qualitative study of parents' experiences using family support services: applying the concept of surface and depth

UK policy and practice endorses family support for child well-being. Achieving such support requires multi-agency approaches, that consider all aspects of parents’ and children’s lives and which offer practical, social and emotional help. The potential for services to make a positive impact on parents and their families will depend in part on the level and nature of engagement. In this paper a case is made for the application of the two-part ‘surface and depth’ concept for understanding how practitioners engage with families and how they might improve the chances of supporting sustainable differences for parents and families. To illustrate, qualitative data from a review of family centre support provided by a north of England local authority, are presented. The review was commissioned to explore why families often need to re-engage with intensive support services. Data are drawn from interviews with parents (n=18, recruited following a survey of all those registered with the service during April – May 2009) and discussions with family centre support workers (n=4) and following thematic analysis three dominant themes emerged: ‘resources available’, ‘staff approach’ and ‘real life’, were appraised in light of the ‘surface and depth’ concept. Much of the work with parents effectively dealt with pressing needs. This felt gratifying for both parent and worker and supported immediate service engagement. However, each noted that the more complex issues in parents’ lives went unchallenged and thus the sustainability of progress in terms of parenting practice was questionable. A ‘strengths focused’ approach by staff, that understood needs in the context of parents’ ‘real life’ circumstances was important to parent engagement. Thus, longer term benefits from family support requires practitioners to work with parents to problem solve immediate issues whilst also digging deeper to acknowledge and seek to resolve the more complex challenges parents face in their real lives

Migration Perspectives in Social Work Research: Local, National and International Contexts

Within social work, it is often assumed that migration is a signifier for social deprivation; however, closer examination of migrant populations in different European countries reveals tremendous heterogeneity. For example, recent migration patterns in Germany, Switzerland and the UK show that inward migration is characterised also by highly qualified migrant peoples. Against this background, the question arises as to what are the relevant issues which make migration a question for social work and what subjects should be addressed in social work research? This paper begins with conceptual considerations on the complexity of migration. Examining examples of social work research into migration, children and young people in the English and German languages from a cross-national systematic review, undertaken by the authors and spanning 2000-13, the authors identify the main foci of social work migration research thus far. Findings from the selected studies demonstrate a paucity and generality of social work research into migration and that the predominant focus is migration as a challenge for certain groups of migrant peoples, such as people seeking refuge or asylum. The authors argue that changes to practices in social work migration research, incorporating local, regional and international perspectives, are neede

Analysis and critique of ‘Transforming children and young people’s mental health provision: A green paper’: Some implications for refugee children and young people

Adopting a children’s rights perspective, a critique and analysis underpinned by documentary research methodology was undertaken in order to assess the extent to which the government’s Green Paper (Department of Health and Social Care and Department of Education, 2017. Transforming children and young people’s mental health provision: a green paper. Available at: https://www.gov.uk/government/consultations/transforming-children-and-young-peoples-mental-health-provision-a-green-paper (accessed 7 December 2017)) addresses the mental health and well-being needs of refugee children and young people in England and Wales, identifying strengths, limitations and challenges for future policy and practice. Findings suggest that there is much of potential benefit to refugee children and young people’s future mental health and well-being. However, a paradigm shift, explicit in implications, scale and time frame, will be required, if the Green Paper is to achieve those changes in attitudes, practice and service delivery which it anticipates. We argue that this Green Paper’s overarching challenge is that it is premised on Western-centric models in its understanding of the experiences of refugee children and young people, and management of trauma and mental health. It fails to recognize the meanings and significance of culture, and of diversity and difference, and the need to invest in all communities in facilitating engagement and support for children and young people’s mental health issues

‘It’s Us, Or Maybe No One’: Yarning With Aboriginal Social and Emotional Wellbeing Workers From the Kimberley Region of Western Australia

Objective Social and Emotional Wellbeing (SEWB) describes the holistic model of health and wellbeing advocated for by Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples. This research explored the experiences of Aboriginal peoples employed in SEWB service delivery to identify enablers, challenges, and requirements of growing a sustainable, and empowered SEWB workforce. Methods We used a yarning methodology with seven Aboriginal SEWB workers located at Aboriginal Community Controlled Health Organisations across the Kimberley region of Western Australia. Results Three key SEWB service delivery themes were identified: 1) Role of cultural identity; 2) Barriers and enablers of SEWB service provision; 3) Building the future of the SEWB workforce. Lessons Learned SEWB services, as delivered by Aboriginal peoples within Aboriginal Community Controlled Health Organisations, have great potential to comprehensively meet the health and wellbeing needs of Aboriginal peoples and communities. To optimally undertake their role, Aboriginal SEWB staff need to: have a clear understanding of their role; good relationships within their workplace; relevant sector knowledge; a strong sense of cultural safety within the workplace; and access to meaningful professional development. Understanding the barriers and enablers experienced by SEWB staff provides a platform to meaningfully develop the future Aboriginal SEWB workforce, and delivery of SEWB services

Facilitating empowerment and self-determination through participatory action research:Findings from the national empowerment project

The National Empowerment Project (NEP) is an innovative Aboriginal-led community-based project. Since 2012, it has been working with communities in 11 sites across Australia to develop a culturally appropriate health promotion and primary prevention intervention strategy to reduce the high rates of psychological distress and suicide among Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples. The NEP is built around the use of localized participatory action research (PAR) processes to support communities to identify key factors negatively impacting on their lives as well as strategies for promoting well-being and building resilience. This article details the application of the PAR approach by the NEP Aboriginal community-based researchers. It provides some unique insights into how PAR facilitated communities to have a voice and the ways in which it supported important change processes at both an individual and a community level

What are the information needs of people with dementia and their family caregivers when they are admitted to a mental health ward and do current ward patient information leaflets meet their needs?

Introduction: An admission to a mental health ward is an uncertain and unexpected part of a person’s journey with dementia and consequently, families require information about what to expect and how to prepare. This study aimed to establish the information needs of people with dementia and their families at the point of admission to a mental health ward and to collate existing ward information leaflets to explore if they meet these information needs. Methods: This research was in two parts, (1) a qualitative study using focus groups, one with people with dementia and family carers with lived experience of such an admission (n=6) and another with Admiral Nurses (n=6) to explore information needs at the point of admission. (2) Each NHS mental health trust (n=67) was asked to provide a copy of their ward information shared at admission. A total of 30 leaflets were received from 15 NHS trusts, after removing duplicates 22 were included. A content analysis was conducted to evaluate to what extent leaflets met the information needs identified from focus groups. Results:Two main categories ‘honest, accurate and up to date information’ and ‘who is the information for’ and four subcategories were derived from focus group data. Participants felt that people with dementia and families were likely to have different information needs. Material for people with dementia needed to be in an accessible format. Information should cover the aim of the admission, a timeline of what to expect and details about how families will be involved in care. Practical information about what to pack and ward facilities was valued. Participants spoke about the need to consider the tone of the information given people are likely to be distressed. The information leaflets reviewed did not meet the information needs identified by focus group participants. Conclusions: People with dementia and family carers have different information needs at the point of admission to a mental health ward. Information provided to people with dementia needs to be in an accessible format with content relevant to these needs. Wards should aim to co-create information to ensure they meet people’s information need

Comparative Investigation of Foot Blood Flow Dynamics: A Study of the Anterior and Posterior Tibial Arteries in the Sitting vs. Standing Positions

Optimal blood circulation is crucial to perform activities of daily living and for living a healthy life. For example, insufficient blood flow to the foot contributes to the development of foot pathology such as plantar fasciopathy. An unshod simulation of tight and narrow shoes showed decrease blood flow to the foot. PURPOSE: This study investigated if there was a significant decrease in blood flow to the foot via the anterior and posterior tibial arteries when an unshod person transitions from sitting to standing. METHODS: Nine individuals participated in this pilot study (age=24.7±4.4, weight=72.7kg±8.8, height=1.8m±0.07). For the sitting position, participants sat on a platform while blood flow volume measurements were taken simultaneously of the anterior and posterior tibial arteries using ultrasound pulse wave. For the standing measurements, the participants stood on the platform and the same measurements were taken. A period of three minutes after standing was implemented before standing measurements were taken to ensure that blood flow adjusted to the new position. A paired t-test was used to compare sitting to standing differences within the participants. RESULTS: In the anterior tibial artery, average volume flow changed from 4.88 ml/min (sitting) to 2.76 ml/min (standing), a 43.4% drop in blood flow (p\u3c0.01). In the posterior tibial artery, volume flow decreased from an average of 5.01 ml/min to 3.69 ml/min, a decrease of 26.3% (p\u3c0.05). Total reduced blood flow between the two arteries decreased from 9.89 ml/min to 4.88 ml/min, a 50.6% drop (p\u3c0.01). CONCLUSION: This study demonstrates a simple change in position significantly impacts blood flow to the foot. This suggests further research is needed to determine if there is an additive effect of footwear on this observed decrease in blood flow that may contribute to an increase incidence rate of plantar fasciopathy. This finding additionally provides rationale to investigate what mechanism the body uses to overcome positional-related decreases in blood flow

What the people said: Findings from the regional Roundtables of the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Suicide Prevention Evaluation Project

This paper summarises key findings from the six community regional Roundtables that were undertaken as part of the Australian Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Suicide Prevention Evaluation Project. The six community regional Roundtables were held in different locations across the country. Common themes emerging included the need for self-determination and local leadership, the need to consider the social determinants of health, the need to address trauma, the role and impact of incarceration and justice issues and the need for culture and identity to be strengthened

Visioning the South Cedar Corridor

The South Cedar Corridor has proven its significant value as an integral corridor for the city of Lansing and the surrounding region. Building upon the Design Lansing comprehensive plan, this report detailed recommendations and improvements which will further increase new residential and business opportunities and take advantage of existing potential