Resources Database

The study is aimed at exploring the influencing factor of wages among social service workers (SSWs) through a cross-country analysis. Using Luxembourg Income Study data, two aspects are emphasised: first, the trends and patterns of wage levels among SSWs. Second, the determining factors that influence their low wages at a cross-national level and how those factors are intersectionally intertwined to exacerbate the wage level.

Whilst the literature related to social work services with children is extant, little is devoted to medical social work with regards to children in a hospital context. Moreover, empirical research related to medical social work is scant in South Africa. Using a qualitative research approach data was collected from health professionals, working in a paediatric ward, at a public health hospital in KwaZulu- Natal. The objective was to understand the experiences of paediatric patients and their parents and the potential role of social service professionals in paediatric wards.

The significance of efficient social service provision has gained increased attention in war-affected regions following the Russia-Ukraine war conflict. The conventional method of establishing social services is currently facing criticism due to an increasing acknowledgment of the advantages associated with tailored and customised social work interventions, particularly in the context of children and young individuals.

The demand for social care, support, and protection is rapidly increasing across Europe, driven by a variety of factors, such as demographic changes and increasing inequalities. This surge in demand places significant pressure on public social services, which are already grappling with the financial implications of transitioning to person-centred care as well as recruitment and retention issues in their workforce.

The Transition Capacity Building Roadmap was developed to support national efforts to scale up transition capacity. It outlines key considerations for capacity building, drawing on residential care transition learning, documentation, research, and practitioner experience across different countries and contexts.

The goal of the capacity-building roadmap is to guide governments and non-government organizations in their efforts to:

In 2014, the Government of Kenya developed comprehensive guidelines on the alternative family care of children. The guidance reflects the global Guidelines for the alternative care of children, welcomed by the United Nations in 2009. This guidance outlines a continuum of care whereby maximum efforts are made to keep children within their own families, and where this is not possible, place them in family-based alternative care. 

This article offers a cross-national comparison of social work in two countries, Australia and Canada, about the care of Indigenous children within the context of colonization and the evolving profession. The discussion is based on data from two empirical studies that examined professional discourse relating to the removal of Indigenous children from their families and Indigenous peoples more broadly within key historical time frames.

This handbook is a summarized, user-friendly version of the operating procedures for alternative family- and community-based care options. It provides an overview of each type of care, key considerations, and the process followed for placement. The handbook aims to provide an easy and quick reference to critical information and “how to” about alternative family- and community-based care placements.

The revised Child Protection in Humanitarian Action Framework is now available. This new version is more closely aligned with the Minimum Standards for Child Protection in Humanitarian Action (CPMS), and better reflects the competencies required to work effectively with other sectors. The format and language of the framework has been simplified, and the framework is now available as an interactive pdf. 

This cutting-edge Handbook argues for social protection to be situated in a wider system of social welfare and development programmes for low- and middle-income countries. Focusing on the role of citizens and communities in enhancing human development, it explores how welfare systems are unfolding in diverse contexts across the global South.

Resumen Ejecutivo:

Presentation of Results - Cross-Government Review of the Child Protection and Care System 

The significance of efficient social service provision has gained increased attention in war-affected regions following the Russia-Ukraine war conflict. The conventional method of establishing social services is currently facing criticism due to an increasing acknowledgment of the advantages associated with tailored and customised social work interventions, particularly in the context of children and young individuals.

The integration of Artificial Intelligence (AI) in social work unveils a myriad of opportunities, from enhancing service delivery to introducing innovative solutions for age-old challenges. However, it’s imperative that we also remain vigilant to the ethical dilemmas and potential pitfalls AI might bring. This issue of the International Journal of Social Work Values and Ethics serves as a testament to the social work profession’s commitment to navigating the AI landscape with the core values of social work in mind.

Highlighted topics in this issue include:

Social Work in Sri Lanka has been slowly progressing and even after 68 years it is in its infancy despite the facts that the country needs productive social work. Research studies and social work scholars believe that the mismatch of the prevailing social work approach with the country’s socio-economic culture is the reason for the slow progress. Western-rooted social work started in Sri Lanka in 1952 under the guidance of Western social work scholar Ms. Dorathy Moses, the Principal of the Delhi School of Social Work by setting up an institute to conduct social work education programmes.

To raise awareness of the possibilities for Australian libraries to include some form of social work practice to assist them in meeting the complex needs of many of their visitors, the Charles Sturt University library social work team hosted a Social Work in Libraries Symposium in 2022. Following the Symposium, the team at Charles Sturt University recognised the need for more formal sharing of knowledge about the possibilities for libraries to gain support from social workers.

This study focused on social work supervision and its impact on the occupational development and service delivery of supervisees, specifically within the South African Department of Social Development (DSD). While previous research has often examined the views and experiences of supervisees and student social workers, the study uniquely explored the perspective of social work supervisors. Utilising the systems theory as a theoretical framework, qualitative research with semi-structured interviews and thematic analysis was employed.

The MANDELA model, developed by Dr. Prospera Tedam, seeks to provide a framework for practice educators who are enabling the learning of social work students in practice placement settings. The Model aims to drive change and promote new ways of thinking and working with infants, young children, families and practitioners. It is a reflective framework of questions that aims to promote reflexivity in our work. Reflexivity allows us to question our own assumptions, reflect on what influences us and use this learning to create change.

The Disability Inclusive Child Protection Competency Framework for the Social Service Workforce (DICP Competency Framework) presents the competencies needed by the social service workforce (SSW) for child protection to deliver their functions in disability-inclusive and accessible ways.

The purpose of these guidelines is to support practitioners to develop messaging for children and young people that clearly communicates the intention to transition and the implications for children and young people in care. The guidelines seek to address challenges so that children and young people can fully understand the implications of transition and be granted opportunities to genuinely and appropriately participate in making decisions about their lives.