'Career preference', 'transients' and 'converts': A study of social workers' retention in child protection and welfare

Both domestically and internationally, retaining social workers in statutory child protection and welfare work has been identified as a problem. However, this issue appears to receive only modest attention from researchers. This paper reports on the findings of a study that examined the retention of ‘front line’ child protection and welfare social workers in one Health Service Executive area in the Republic of Ireland. A qualitative study was undertaken with forty-four social workers with experience of this work setting. Whilst familiar themes, such as organisational supports, social exchanges with peers, amongst others, were highlighted as important in social workers' decisions to stay or leave, a grounded analysis of the data highlighted the importance of a theme not previously presented in this research. In this study, participants made links between their understandings of career pathways for newly qualified social workers and what they perceived as the key role play by child protection and welfare in 'proving' or inducting newly qualified social workers and the likelihood of their retention in this sector. This analysis led to the construction of a career preference typology with three 'types' of social worker: 'career preference', 'transients' and 'converts'

Fabrication or induction of illness in a child: A critical review of labels and the literature using electronic libraries

This paper argues that the variance between professionals on the use of terminology to describe and define this form of child maltreatment may lead to a loss of focus on children's welfare. The author argues that the label Munchausen Syndrome by Proxy has outlived its use and recommends the adoption of a new label 'Fabrication or Induction of Illness in a Child'. The article presents a critical analysis of the titles of 410 unique library entries collated from electronic libraries to discern the prevalence of labels to denote the fabrication or induction of illness in children. The article also reviews recent developments in the UK courts and some critical observations on the challenges to the field. The author notes with concern that there does not appear to be a preponderance of service user narratives or critical perspectives in the literature. The adoption of a more critical orientation and the acknowledgement of critical service user narratives may be a useful focus for future research. The paper reviews the merits of electronic libraries to efficiently discern an up to date reading list on a particular theme or issue. Electronic libraries can be of particular use to research minded practitioners and as a tool to support evidence based practice. The use of electronic libraries to facilitate the research process is affirmed, although some issues regarding accuracy and research skills are noted. Electronic libraries can be of particular use to research minded practitioners and as a tool to support practice

Fabrication or Induction of Illness in a Child: a Critical Review of Labels and Literature Using Electronic Libraries

This paper argues that the variance between professionals on the use of terminology to describe and define this form of child maltreatment may lead to a loss of focus on children\u27s welfare. The author argues that the label Munchausen Syndrome by Proxy has outlived its use and recommends the adoption of a new label \u27Fabrication or Induction of Illness in a Child\u27. The article presents a critical analysis of the titles of 41 0 unique library entries collated from electronic libraries to discern the prevalence of labels to denote the fabrication or induction of illness in children. The article also reviews recent developments in the UK courts and some critical observations on the challenges to the field. The author notes with concern that there does not appear to be a preponderance of service user narratives or critical perspectives in the literature. The adoption of a more critical orientation and the acknowledgement of critical service user narratives may be a useful focus for future research. The paper reviews the merits of electronic libraries to efficiently discern an up to date reading list on a particular theme or issue. Electronic libraries can be of particular use to research minded practitioners and as a tool to support evidencebased practice. The use of electronic libraries to facilitate the research process is affirmed, although some issues regarding accuracy and research skills are noted. Electronic libraries can be of particular use to research minded practitioners and as a tool to support practice

Community-engaged student research: online resources, real world impact

The global economic crisis, the cost of socialising enormous bank debts and exchequer fiscal ‘corrections’ in the Irish economy (see Kirby and Murphy 2011), have sharpened recent debates on the role and functions of Higher Education Institutions (HEIs) in society. Key debates have centred on public sector pay and performance, and the contribution HEIs should make in building the knowledge economy and driving Ireland’s economic growth. However, HEIs also have a significant part to play in civil society. HEIs are often criticised for primarily serving the elites, the powerful and the economically privileged sections of society; but all citizens, groups and organisations should have a right to participate in HEI activities, and be facilitated to share their mutual knowledge and expertise, and to collaborate on the creation of new knowledge. Civil society organisations (CSOs) can become engaged in higher education, particularly in the research activities of HEIs, through the process of community-based research (CBR), often facilitated through a knowledge exchange or community liaison office. Civil society organisations include: voluntary and community organisations, residents’ groups, non-profit organisations, associations, pressure and faith groups, and trade unions. CBR - also known in Europe as “Science Shop”, from a Dutch phrase meaning “knowledge workshop” - involves students and/or academic staff collaborating with community partners to address local and/or societal research questions identified by CSOs. In this chapter, we argue that the bottom up CBR approach, facilitated by the use of on-line resources, enhances the ability of HEIs to meet their civic engagement obligations contained in the National Strategy for Higher Education to 2030 (Hunt 2011). CBR also makes HEIs more responsive to society, enhances student researchers’ knowledge, skills and competencies, and contributes to community development. This chapter begins by introducing community-based research and its development on the Island of Ireland. We then outline and evaluate our experiences of using online resources in similar ways in two HEIs – Dublin Institute of Technology (DIT) and University College Cork (UCC) - to facilitate student recruitment to CBR projects, as well as supporting the involvement of community partners and academic supervisors. This is very much a discussion paper based on evolving work practices, rather than a definitive evaluation of a finalised product. Throughout the chapter we argue for HEIs using such digital resources as a way to promote and facilitate staff and student involvement in civically engaged research. We will conclude the paper with a brief discussion of our publication of completed CBR reports on our websites, in light of the open access to research movement

Comparative Analysis of Two Cryogenic Force Balance Calibration Systems

Cryogenic wind-tunnel facilities face unique challenges in the calibration and operation of various measurement systems and instrumentation. Instruments that are subjected to the cryogenic conditions of the test plenum require careful design and calibration procedures to maintain instrument performance. NASAs National Transonic Facility (NTF) and the European Transonic Windtunnel (ETW) are two cryogenic wind-tunnel facilities, each with the ability to calibrate force measurement systems (FMS) at cryogenic conditions. These facilities have different methodologies and processes for calibrating these systems. This paper discusses differences in the methodologies and processes and compares the results of two separate cryogenic calibrations of the NTF-118A force balance that were completed at both wind-tunnel facilities