Therapeutic interventions for bereavement: learning from Ugandan therapists

This article contributes to the development of indigenous knowledge around therapeutic interventions for bereavement in non-western settings. Interventions are explored through 18 qualitative interviews with indigenous therapists in the Sub-Saharan African country of Uganda. Aspects of the therapeutic process are examined along with clients’ presenting problem and the ways in which clients make sense of their loss and express their grief. Ugandan therapists identified contradictions between their indigenous practices and western assumptions embedded in bereavement counselling theory and practice. These indigenous accounts indicate ways in which existing therapeutic approaches might best be modified for use in non-western and pluralistic societies. </jats:p

Evaluating the Motivation, Wellbeing, Resilience and Employment Preferences of Social Work Graduates Over Time: Time 1 Report

Research studies over the past 20 years indicate that students are often motivated to study social work based on altruism, political ideals, or a desire to help people by challenging oppression and promoting a more socially just society (Hackett et al., 2003; Tham and Lynch, 2014; Ferguson et al., 2018; McCartan et al., 2022). Other research indicates that life and family experiences, personal needs and beliefs may motivate people towards a career in social work (Wilson and McCrystal, 2007; Stevens et al., 2012). Despite a growing interest in the transition of newly qualified social workers (NQSWs) into employment, there is a dearth of longitudinal studies following graduates from university into the workplace (Tham and Lynch, 2019). A five-year longitudinal study involving NQSW conducted in Scotland (Grant et al., 2022), highlighted the importance of the transition from student social worker to NQSW, and how the experiences of support from line management, teams or peers, and the experiences with service users, can shape the way NQSW practice throughout their career, and how long they remain in the social work profession. The report also illustrated the importance of understanding and learning from the experiences and needs of NQSWs, so that we can promote recruitment and retention within the profession. Their findings illustrated the importance of allowing NQSWs time and space to develop their knowledge, skills and experience, and higher levels of support to minimise the longer-term impact of stress and anxiety. In their findings, workloads were complex which made NQSWs feel anxious, and they needed support with everyday work, through managers, dedicated admin support and a positive team environment. Supervision was deemed important, but needed to be frequent, offer clear guidance and opportunities to critically reflect on practice as well as discussing workload management, training and emotional well-being. Other areas for consideration, included the importance of peer support/supervision and continuous professional development through formal and informal modes of learning (Grant et al., 2022). Similar findings were identified by Bogo (2015) and Field et al. (2016).Messages from the Health and Social Care Workforce (HSC Workforce Strategy, 2026) acknowledge recruitment difficulties, the increasing administrative workload on frontline staff, the need to develop roles that reflect the ageing workforce aligned to the pension age, greater opportunities for flexible working patterns and offering clearer pathways for career development. Regional recruitment into social work posts across Northern Ireland has been challenging for the past number of years. This has resulted in increased expenditure on agency staff, causing additional pressure on the Health and Social Care budget. This has created instability for teams and has a demoralising impact on the permanent workforce. Data is needed from student social workers, and NQSWs during the early stages of their career, regarding levels of motivation to practice social work, and preferences regarding employment. Given the concerns regarding well-being and resilience within the profession, information is needed to capture changes in the early stages of a social worker’s career.AimThe overall aim of this project is to improve our understanding of the well-being, resilience, motivation, and employment of social work graduates in the first 12 months of employment. This report presents findings from Time 2, which captured data from NQSWs towards the end of their Assessed Year in Employment (AYE).The objectives of this report are to examine the:a. Demographic data from social work participantsb. Health issues, caring or parenting responsibilitiesc. Well-being, resilience, and motivation of participantsd. Current employment by sector, service, setting and contracte. Levels of satisfaction with supervision and support during the AYEf. Preferences for employment upon completion of their AYEg. Recommended incentives, training, or support for newly qualified social worker

Assessment tools utilised in adult safeguarding practice in the UK and Ireland: Results from a small-scale qualitative study

Purpose: Across the UK and Ireland, there are a range of processes and interventions offered to adults who, because of personal characteristics or life circumstances, require help to keep themselves safe from potential harm or abuse. The ways in which the statutory and voluntary sectors have chosen to safeguard these adults varies. Different models of intervention and the utilisation of a range of assessment tools, frameworks and approaches have evolved, often in response to policy and practice wisdom. Empirical research in this area is limited. The primary research purpose of the project on which this paper is based is to gather information on the range of tools and frameworks that are used in adult safeguarding practice across the UK and Ireland. In so doing, this paper seeks to contribute and inform the future development of an evidence based adult safeguarding assessment framework. Design/methodology/approach: A team of academics from England, Scotland, Northern Ireland and Ireland wanted to explore the possibility of adapting a pre-existing assessment framework currently in use in family and childcare social work to consider its utility in assessing carers involved in adult safeguarding referrals. This paper reports on a small pilot study which sought to inform the adaptation of this framework for use in adult safeguarding. This paper is based on a qualitative study involving 11 semi-structured telephone interviews with adult safeguarding social work managers and experienced practitioners. Two to four professionals from each region of England, Scotland, Northern Ireland and Ireland were interviewed to elicit their perceptions and experiences of engaging in adult safeguarding assessment processes and their views about models of assessment. Findings: This study identified considerable variation in and between the nations under review, in terms of the assessment frameworks and tools used in adult safeguarding practice. To a large extent, the assessment frameworks and tools in use were not evidence based or accredited. Participants acknowledged the value of using assessment frameworks and tools whilst also identifying barriers in undertaking effective assessments. Originality/value: There is limited evidence available in the literature regarding the utility of assessment frameworks and tools in adult safeguarding practice. This primary research identifies four themes derived from professional’s experiences of using such frameworks and identifies broader recommendations for policy and practice in this area

Social work students on the island of Ireland: a cross-sectional survey

Understanding the characteristics, motivations, and experiences of student social workers is important to inform their professional education and support needs. To date, there has been relatively little research about social work students in Ireland, both North and South. This study reports on an all-Ireland survey of students beginning their social work course in Autumn 2018 in the six Universities delivering social work education. It describes the characteristics of the student cohort, examines the motivations behind choosing this career, and highlights some of the potentially relevant life experiences and beliefs which may have contributed to their ambition to join the social work profession. Implications for social work education, recommendations for curriculum development, workforce planning, and the provision of appropriate support for students are discussed

Admission of an older person into a care home in Europe: exploring the dimensions of a ‘Healthy Transition’ and the potential role of social work

Transitions in gerontological social work are poorly theorised and underresearched. Although social workers are routinely involved in transitions of older people into care homes, they tend to be treated as a functional transition from one place to another rather than as a social, emotional and psychological process for the older person and their family. Evidence suggests that a healthy transition is more likely if the older person has exerted some influence over the ‘when’, ‘where’ and ‘how’ of the decision, continuity between the ‘old life’ and the ‘new’ is maintained, and their concerns are acknowledged. Drawing on a theory of transition developed by Melies et al. (2000), this paper argues that social workers have the relational, communication and advocacy skills, as well as legal literacy and a rights-based perspective, to help to promote healthy transitions. There is considerable potential to develop, and evidence the value of, social work’s contribution to this often marginalised area of practice