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OBJECTIVES: To map the performance of social work in supporting people in acute housing crisis, including the factors that represent barriers and those that represent sources of support. THEORETICAL BASE: Housing need, Luhmann approach to exclusion/inclusion, ecosystemic model of social work. METHODS: An integrated approach combining literature research, semi-structured interviews with actors addressing housing need, thematic coding of responses. OUTCOMES: The role of social workers in dealing effectively with housing distress is perceived as simultaneously central, powerless and under threat. SOCIAL WORK IMPLICATIONS: The results of the research contribute to the discussion on the necessity of systemic change in the processes of ending housing distress at the micro, meso, and macro levels, the specification of the role of social work in the processes of ending housing distress, and the necessity of involvement of social workers in setting equitable policies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Many 'non-professional' and 'non-certified' social workers seem to conduct indigenous social work practices in low- and middle-income countries in Asia. From the perspective of international developmental social work, this case study explores the education and training opportunities for local and indigenous social workers in disability related fields. The data was mainly obtained through field work and practice conducted by the author, whose positionality was considered an international social worker in Sri Lanka and Mongolia. The field data was supplemented by literature. The findings reveal that some local workers in government and non-government sectors, who might not have received professional social work education, engage in practices that can be considered a part of social work using their indigenous and local knowledge and skills. In some cases, these workers also use their knowledge of international concepts and frameworks. Additionally, this study presents some instances of knowledge exchange between domestic and international stakeholders through dialogue-based practices and training in the field. The findings suggest that international social workers are required to explore reflective practice and collaborative knowledge creation with domestic stakeholders, including indigenous social workers and disabled people, through dialogue in the field. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Practice placements are a key curriculum component across all social work programmes and students identify their placement as central to their transition to practice. This reflective article is based on a dialogue across practice and academic contexts and explores the anomaly that while it is generally acknowledged that social work placements are integral to professional development and are mainly positive experiences for all concerned, practice learning remains tangential to social work practice resulting in a chronic shortage of placements. Contributing factors include recruitment and retention issues, high staff turnover and competing demands on social work staff. A valuable model of collaboration, the paper draws on systems theory to assess and analyse the ongoing precarious situation of securing practice placements in Ireland and concludes with some recommendations for change. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

An introduction presents perspectives from global scholars on the intersections of social work and religion/spirituality, emphasizing the need to decolonize social work knowledge and highlight marginalized voices.

OBJECTIVES: The aim of the article is to answer the research question: “Which resilience protective factors do social workers working with families at risk identify within the scope of their profession?”. THEORETICAL BASE: This text focuses on the concept of resilience in the context of the well-being of social workers. METHODS: Six focus groups with a total of 38 participants were conducted in the Czech Republic among social workers providing services to families in need. OUTCOMES: The research focuses on positive aspects of professional activity, as they may play a key role in the resilience process. Thematic analysis yielded the following themes: (1) connectedness, (2) education and professional experience, and (3) resources based on cooperating with clients. SOCIAL WORK IMPLICATIONS: Among the research implications we point out the dynamic aspect of resilience as well as the need for support from other environments to manage professional problems, because resilience is not an individualized concept. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of Czech & Slovak Social Work / Sociální Práce / Sociálna Práca is the property of Czech & Slovak Social Work and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

In the last 20 years, amid extensive social and economic reforms, China's social structure and community life have changed considerably. A large number of social workers are needed to provide many more social services to community residents. The central government has issued many policies to rapidly develop human service organizations and increase the number of social workers. Thus, by the end of 2019, the number of social workers has reached more than 1.5 million in China. At the same time, local governments have issued many policies to promote an increase in the number of social workers. According to statistics from the Chengdu Civil Affairs Bureau, from 2010 to 2021, the number of social workers in Chengdu City increased, remarkably, from 553 to 17,622. Although the number of social workers has increased rapidly, some problems still exist. According to a survey by the Chengdu Social Workers Association, the turnover rate of social workers has reached approximately 20% in Chengdu City in 2018. Therefore, we aim to determine what influences social workers' job burnout. Through regression analysis and mediation effect tests, we found the following: First, when controlling for gender, age, education, and workday, social support of social workers had a significant negative impact on job burnout (β = − 0.376). Second, the mindfulness of social workers had a significant negative impact on job burnout (β = − 0.320). Third, the mindfulness of social workers played a mediating role between social support and job burnout. The mediating effect was −0.116 (p < 0.001). Fourth, among the three dimensions of social support, mindfulness played a partially mediating role in family support and other support. The mediating effect between other support, which is the support from leaders and colleagues, and job burnout was the strongest, with a mediating effect of −0.109 (p < 0.001). In other words, the support provided by agency leaders and colleagues can maximize the level of mindfulness of social workers, thereby reducing social workers' job burnout most effectively. We can thus reduce social workers' job burnout by improving their level of mindfulness and the social support for them in China. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of Czech & Slovak Social Work / Sociální Práce / Sociálna Práca is the property of Czech & Slovak Social Work and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)