Prosperity and Poverty in Times of Crisis

Editoria

Using a Comparative Lens

Editoria

Comparing child protection decision-making in England and Finland : supervised or supported judgement?

Systems for the protection of children have evolved differently across nation states. Studies have identified contrasting system ‘orientations’, related to how child protection problems are framed and how organisations respond in different contexts. In this study, the influence of national and organisational factors on practice-level decision reasoning by social workers has been compared. Interviews were conducted with 30 child protection social workers in sites across England and Finland, structured around two hypothetical case vignettes. While similarities were observed in how the social workers responded to the vignettes, there were differences in the nature and extent of managerial involvement described, with the English social workers appearing to rely on managerial input for decision-making to a greater extent than the Finnish social workers. These findings suggest evidence for two distinct organisational approaches to decision-making: ‘supervised’ and ‘supported’ judgement. Here, supervised judgement describes a hierarchical, ‘top-down’ form of decision-making, while supported judgement describes a more horizontal and shared decision-making approach. The lens of comparative methodology has revealed how these organisational factors come into play in different child protection systems. The practice implications of supervised, manager-led approaches to decision-making, as contrasted with supported, team-led approaches, are discussed

Prosperity and Poverty in Times of Crisis

Editorial:Prosperity and Poverty in Times of Crisis<br /

Using a Comparative Lens

Editorial:Using a Comparative Len

Contemporary Field Social Work: Integrating Field and Classroom Experience

This comprehensive and interactive text rooted in contemporary social work practice provides a lively guide through the curriculum for social work practice learning. Written by three respected social workers with significant teaching, practical, and writing experience, it bridges the gap by offering learning activities that can be worked in both classroom and field settings. Helpful teaching and learning materials for students, field instructors, faculty and staff supervisors can be found throughout, and pointers through the book are useful for group learning as well as for one to one supervision. Topics include ethical dilemmas, multi-cultural practice, evidence and knowledge, making assessments in partnership, making priorities in interventions, working in and with groups and law-informed practice.https://digitalcommons.usm.maine.edu/facbooks/1053/thumbnail.jp

Using the Theory of Planned Behaviour to Explain Use of Traditional Chinese Medicine among Hong Kong Chinese in Britain

The UK Chinese are known for their underutilisation of western healthcare services. Reasons for this underutilisation are complex. The Theory of Planned Behaviour (TPB) is a widely used model of social cognition, which in the present study is being applied to traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) utilisation and satisfaction with TCM services. Two hundred and seventy-two UK Chinese aged between 15 and 91 years (M = 46.55; SD = 18.53) enrolled in the study. TCM utilisation was associated with gender, age, cultural attachment, and subjective norms. TCM users were more likely to be female and older and have a strong attachment to Chinese culture, and be influenced by the views of important others. Findings highlight the potential of the TPB in exploring TCM utilisation, whilst also throwing light on other factors influential in the use of TCM and satisfaction with TCM service provision among Chinese in the UK