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Social Work with Aboriginal Clients: Perspectives on Educational Preparation and Practice.
- Source :
- Australian Social Work; Jun2011, Vol. 64 Issue 2, p156-168, 13p
- Publication Year :
- 2011
-
Abstract
- The many Aboriginal and non Aboriginal social workers who work with Aboriginal communities to address health and socioeconomic disadvantage have a key role to play in reducing the continuing inequalities experienced by many Aboriginal clients in Australia. The need for more culturally-responsive practice is well recognised, as historic barriers to effective practice and relationships persist. This paper describes the views of Aboriginal people about the knowledge that social workers need to possess for effective work with Aboriginal clients, and the ways that this might be learned. Four focus groups with 30 urban Aboriginal community members identified three key areas of knowledge: Aboriginal history and its impact; cultural knowledge (including family and community structures); and the impact of social work interventions. Suggested methods for learning include building consultation and community connections, and field-education placements. The paper recommends that social work education prepares students for more effective practice with Aboriginal client groups by incorporating these content areas and methods into the core curricula. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]
- Subjects :
- COMMUNICATION methodology
INDIGENOUS peoples
INDIGENOUS Australians
ATTITUDE (Psychology)
FOCUS groups
INTERNSHIP programs
LEARNING strategies
PROFESSIONS
RESEARCH funding
STATISTICAL sampling
SOCIAL justice
SOCIAL services
SOCIAL work education
SOCIAL workers
QUALITATIVE research
COMMUNITY support
PROFESSIONAL practice
CULTURAL awareness
CULTURAL values
CLIENT relations
THEMATIC analysis
HISTORY
Subjects
Details
- Language :
- English
- ISSN :
- 0312407X
- Volume :
- 64
- Issue :
- 2
- Database :
- Complementary Index
- Journal :
- Australian Social Work
- Publication Type :
- Academic Journal
- Accession number :
- 61156868
- Full Text :
- https://doi.org/10.1080/0312407X.2011.577184