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Using the capability approach in social work with unaccompanied young adult refugees.
- Source :
- Journal of Social Work; Mar2022, Vol. 22 Issue 2, p556-578, 23p
- Publication Year :
- 2022
-
Abstract
- Summary: This study reviews two different types of frontline social services for unaccompanied young adult refugees participating in an intensive Social Support Programme implemented in 2016–2019 by a local municipality. More specifically, the study took a phenomenological research approach to review the impact of intensive case management and specialised educational/occupational orientation services on young refugees' capabilities and agency to reach aspired life goals. The capability approach has been applied as a theoretical framework for identifying opportunities and challenges in this regard. The paper covers a mixed-method design that includes qualitative and quantitative data. The qualitative data are drawn from 42 in-depth interviews with 24 young refugees and one interview and three focus group discussions with 10 service providers. The article also includes a limited amount of longitudinal statistics on the aspirations of 31 young refugees upon entering and exiting the support programme. Findings: This article shows theoretical and empirical evidence for utilising the capability approach to review social services for young refugees. Findings suggest that social workers and refugees face intersecting structural and interpersonal tensions that counteract with the expansion of young refugees' capabilities and agency to reach their aspired life goals. Specific strategies are suggested to diminish described challenges. Applications: Social work with unaccompanied young adult refugees should shift its attention from integrating these young individuals into the dominant social order, to prioritising their human development. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]
- Subjects :
- EDUCATION of refugees
WELL-being
FOCUS groups
RESEARCH methodology
SOCIAL workers
SOCIAL services case management
INTERVIEWING
SOCIAL justice
HUMAN services programs
CONCEPTUAL structures
PHENOMENOLOGY
REFUGEES
RESEARCH funding
CULTURAL competence
SCALE analysis (Psychology)
QUESTIONNAIRES
SOCIAL worker attitudes
EMPLOYMENT
DATA analysis software
THEMATIC analysis
SOCIAL case work
LONGITUDINAL method
TRUST
Subjects
Details
- Language :
- English
- ISSN :
- 14680173
- Volume :
- 22
- Issue :
- 2
- Database :
- Complementary Index
- Journal :
- Journal of Social Work
- Publication Type :
- Academic Journal
- Accession number :
- 154829809
- Full Text :
- https://doi.org/10.1177/14680173211009744