British Journal of Social Work - recent issues

Editorial

Rafferty, J., Steyaert, J. — 2009-06-03

A Tale of Two CAFs: The Impact of the Electronic Common Assessment Framework

Pithouse, A., Hall, C., Peckover, S., White, S. — 2009-06-03

The Common Assessment Framework (CAF) is an electronic system for assessing children and sharing information between child welfare professionals, which is at various stages of pilot and implementation in England and Wales. Research by the authors in England (Peckover et al., 2008a, 2008b; White et al., 2008) and in Wales (Pithouse et al., 2004; Pithouse, 2006) informs this paper in order to compare CAF as implicating a number of policy ‘goods’, with CAF as a set of worker and organizational accomplishments.¹ Our interest here is that in the course of implementation, policy aims have become submerged in day-to-day practice and that, analytically, there are differences between the ‘CAF of policy’ and the ‘CAF of practice’; in brief, there are, conceptually, two CAFs, the formal construct of policy and the applied CAF as constructed by multiple organizations across Wales and England, wherein there is no singular model. Indeed, we demonstrate that there are all manner of common assessment designs operating in the world of practice. Rather than rehearsing our research findings (the above sources offer an abundance), we use this opportunity to develop and synthesize our arguments about key assumptions and conceptual properties that underpin the CAF of policy and practice and which may have wider provenance in respect of information and communication technologies (ICTs) in child welfare.

An Exemplary Scheme? An Evaluation of the Integrated Children's System

2009-06-03

We outline selected central results from a formative evaluation of four pilot sites in England and Wales of the Integrated Children's System (ICS) – one part of the UK's e-Government strategy. We concentrate on the aspiration of the ICS towards ‘integration’ and ‘systematization’ of services within children's services, at local and national levels. We look in turn at, the use of the ICS as a foundation for aggregate statistical profiles; the experience and views of the social workers; and the implications of ICS for social work practice as exemplified in social workers' use of time. The evidence suggests substantial problems in accomplishing government policy aspirations in each of these areas. We review the likely reasons for these problems, and recommend a review of the ICS on the grounds that the difficulties are inherent rather than transitory, and have arisen at least in part from uncertainty as to whether the ICS is fit for purpose. The authors seek to promote the open and thoughtful debate that a major innovation of this nature requires.

Client Satisfaction and Outcome Comparisons of Online and Face-to-Face Counselling Methods

Murphy, L., Parnass, P., Mitchell, D. L., Hallett, R., Cayley, P., Seagram, S. — 2009-06-03

This article compares Global Assessment of Function (GAF) and Client Satisfaction Survey scores for clients receiving either face-to-face or online counselling. Clients were assessed by phone and then assigned to one of the two modalities. Analyses of variance were conducted with = 0.05, to examine differences between counselling modalities. No significant differences were found for degree of change in GAF between assessment and closing between the two modalities. Some differences were found in Client Satisfaction Scores. Implications for screening and social work practice are discussed.

Ageing and Technology: A Review of the Research Literature

Blaschke, C. M., Freddolino, P. P., Mullen, E. E. — 2009-06-03

While the ageing of the population around the world raises serious concerns about social security, pensions, long-term care, health care and family systems, digital-age tools have been proposed as possible resources to improve outcomes. Considerable literature has appeared suggesting that Assistive Technologies (ATs) and Information and Communication Technologies (ICTs) may improve quality of life, extend length of community residence, improve physical and mental health status, delay the onset of serious health problems and reduce family and care-giver burden. The goal of this review is to separate the evidence base for these claims from simple optimism about the ultimate value of technology-based tools. This is accomplished through an extensive examination of the empirical research literature in the field of ATs and ICTs as they relate to older adults and ageing populations. In this review, we describe how these technologies are being utilized by older adults and barriers to their use, and we identify what is known—based on scientific studies—about the utility and effectiveness of the technologies. Appropriate social work practice in the digital age requires knowing what tools are available and their documented effectiveness and limitations. This review will thus consider the implications of current research knowledge for social work practice, education and research.

The Informatization of Welfare: Older People and the Role of Digital Services

Hardey, M., Loader, B. — 2009-06-03

The informatisation of health and social care is a central element of the modernisation of welfare. This article seeks to understand how older people have been conceptualised during the complex process of informatisation. To do this an ideal type typology is used as a heuristic and way of engaging with the complexities of informatisation and policy changes. The typology gives rise to four models that are used to highlight the dilemmas and opportunities afford by different paths to the informatisation of health and care services. It is suggested that while informatisation may have facilitated the integration of services it has been accompanied by a marginalisation of older people as users. However, it is argued that the recent transition of the Web from version one (or Web 1.0) to a significant new version (or Web 2.0) and the consequent rise of user generated information may transform the role of the user in such systems.

Attitudes of Family and Professional Care-Givers towards the Use of GPS for Tracking Patients with Dementia: An Exploratory Study

Landau, R., Werner, S., Auslander, G. K., Shoval, N., Heinik, J. — 2009-06-03

This study examined the attitudes of family and professional care-givers towards the use of advanced electronic tracking such as GPS (Global Positioning Systems) and RFID (Radio Frequency Identification) for elderly people with dementia. The study revealed four principal findings. First, care-givers' views ranged from feeling obligated to use the tracking device for the sake of patients' safety through support of the use of the device for the sake of the care-givers' peace of mind and restricted support, to objection to the use of the device and respect for a person's autonomy. Second, family care-givers showed higher support for the use of GPS and RFID both for their own peace of mind and for the safety of the elder in their care. Professionals attached higher value to respect for a person's autonomy and restricted support for using GPS and RFID. Third, both family and professional care-givers agreed that the decision on tracking dementia patients should be an intra-family issue. Fourth, family care-givers attached more importance to the tracking device's characteristics and design, thus emphasizing that the tracking device must be considered by them as ‘user-friendly’. The implications of the results for social work are also discussed.

Knowledge Management in Social Work: Types and Processes of Knowledge Sharing in Social Service Organizations

Leung, Z. C. S. — 2009-06-03

Based on a conceptual framework of knowledge management (KM) in social work developed in an earlier paper (Leung, 2007), the author conducted a single-case study of a social service organization practising KM in Hong Kong. This article provides a follow-up discussion of the framework. Findings of the study are used to extend the framework so that it can be applied more comprehensively to further research on KM in the profession.

Practitioner Networks: Professional Learning in the Twenty-First Century

LaMendola, W., Ballantyne, N., Daly, E. — 2009-06-03

This article reports on a study of a networked learning approach among remote social work practitioners in a large, rural local authority. The intervention was a blended approach that combined facilitation, face-to-face meetings, online communications and access to e-library resources. The intervention was focused on discussions of case management issues for three fictional cases. A method of text analysis used in community of enquiry research was implemented to examine participant discourse. Findings indicate that practitioners developed a community of enquiry that privileged face-to-face communication. Online resources were primarily used as supplementary communication. Practitioners engaged with the community of enquiry approach and used explicit knowledge to inform discussions of case planning.

The Role of Virtual Communities of Practice in Supporting Collaborative Learning among Social Workers

Cook-Craig, P. G., Sabah, Y. — 2009-06-03

The advent of technology has been instrumental in creating access for social workers to research on evidence-based interventions. However, for many social problems there remains a gap in the availability of proven evidence-based strategies (Rosen et al., 1999). For social workers facing problems for which there is a lack of research evidence, the solution is to develop practice innovations that can be evaluated (Sabah and Cook-Craig, 2008a, b). Virtual communities of practice (VCoP's) are a promising venue for housing reviews of research evidence and engaging social workers to share tacit knowledge and invent practice innovations.

During the past two years, the Israeli Ministry of Social Affairs has developed eighteen VCoP's social work practitioners. Those communities are designed to enable practitioners to review and use multiple sources of professional relevant knowledge in user-friendly repositories and to facilitate a collaborative inter-organizational learning and innovativeness.

This exploratory study reviews evaluation data collected on the VCoP's. It includes quantitative analysis of secondary data and survey data on usage patterns of VCoP members. Findings related VCoP usage, the impact that organizational endorsement of organizational learning has on worker involvement in the community, and the development of weak professional ties between members were evaluated.

Social Work and the Changing Face of the Digital Divide

Steyaert, J., Gould, N. — 2009-06-03

In this article, the concept of digital divide and its relation to social exclusion is analysed. After describing the several facets of the digital divide, the question is asked whether the divide is widening or narrowing? The definition of digital divide is reconsidered and the article argues that access to the technology alone is but a very rudimentary indicator of actually making use of digital opportunities. This is expanded in the section on risks arising from digital exclusion. Finally, implications of this approach of the digital divide for social work and social care are considered.

Tackling the Digital Divide

Wong, Y. C., Fung, J. Y. C., Law, C. K., Lam, J. C. Y., Lee, V. W. P. — 2009-06-03

The emergence of an information society has created new social exclusions and aggravated old ones by creating digital exclusion. Many countries have explicit policies about turning themselves into the leaders of such transformations or about catching up with the changes made in other countries. Nevertheless, little is known about their efforts to bridge the gap between the digital ‘haves’ and the digital ‘have-nots’. Governments in East Asia are good examples of those who work on improving their society's digital capabilities. They top most of the related international comparison tables. It is, however, not clear what they have done to bridge the new digital exclusion gap or what the effects of such efforts have been. This paper reviews the digital inclusion strategies put in place by several East Asian countries and discusses a framework for tackling the digital divide, and examines pertinent policies, using Hong Kong as an example. This paper argues that while improvement in information communication technology (ICT) accessibility and knowledge is important, the promotion of community-based ICT user networks for certain disadvantaged groups is crucial to enhance their participation in the information society.

Healing from the Trauma of Childhood Sexual Abuse: The Journey for Women, Karen A. Duncan, Westport, CT, Praeger, 2008, pp. xiv + 244, ISBN 978 0 313 36321 4 (pbk), {pound}11.95 * Moving on after Childhood Sexual Abuse: Understanding the Effects and Preparing for Therapy, Jonathan Willows, London, Routledge, 2009, pp. vi + 191, ISBN 978 0 415 42483 7 (pbk), {pound}12.99

Lister, P. G. — 2009-06-03

Connecting with Children: Developing Working Relationships Pam Foley and Stephen Leverett (eds), Bristol, Policy Press, 2008, pp. 306, ISBN 9781847420589 (pbk), {pound}19.99

Brown, K. — 2009-06-03

The Value Base of Social Work and Social Care: An Active Learning Handbook, Adam Barnard, Nigel Horner and Jim Wild (eds), Maidenhead, Open University Press, 2008, pp. xv + 183, ISBN 978-0-335-22214-8 (pbk), {pound}19.99

Moss, B. — 2009-06-03

Social Care Practice in Context Malcolm Payne, Basingstoke, Palgrave Macmillan, 2009, pp. v + 209, ISBN 9780230521810, {pound}18.99

Scourfield, P. — 2009-06-03

Public Services Inspection in the UK Howard Davies and Steve Martin (eds), London, Jessica Kingsley, 2008, pp. 160, ISBN 978-1-84310-527-5, {pound}18.99

Carey, M. — 2009-06-03

Dementia and Well-Being: Possibilities and Challenges, Ailsa Cook, Edinburgh, Dunedin Academic Press, 2008, pp. xi + 90, ISBN 9781903765760 (pbk), {pound}13.50

Young, C. — 2009-06-03

Anti-Oppressive Ethics and Values in Social Work, Derek Clifford and Beverley Burke, Basingstoke, Palgrave Macmillan, 2008, pp. vi + 234, ISBN 978 1 4039 05567 (pbk), {pound}20.99

Morton, J. — 2009-06-03

The Social Worker's Guide to Children and Families Law, Lynn Davies, London, Jessica Kingsley, 2009, pp. 304, ISBN 9781843106531 (pbk), {pound}19.99

Holt, K. — 2009-06-03

Books Received

2009-06-03

Editorial

Trotter, J. — 2009-04-09

Developing Inclusive Health and Social Care Policies for Older LGBT Citizens

Concannon, L. — 2009-04-09

Creating anti-oppressive practices in service provision that successfully remove barriers to the social inclusion of older lesbians, gay men, bisexuals and transgendered (LGBT) citizens has proven thus far tremendously difficult. The White Paper, Better Care, Higher Standards: A Charter for Long Term Care, (Department of Health, 1999) addresses the development of non-discriminatory services that treat users with dignity and respect, taking account of sexual orientation (Department of Health, 1999, p. 3). Such government social policy holds out the hope that services will be designed to support senior LGBT people. This paper examines the unique oppression and marginalization faced by older lesbian, gay men, bisexual and transgendered citizens in homophobic and ageist societies, which often fail to acknowledge their existence. The research findings highlight strategies being created through social policy that aim to successfully achieve the inclusion of this group in the planning and delivery of their services.

Identifying Families with Multiple Problems: Perspectives of Practitioners and Managers in Three Nations

Spratt, T., Devaney, J. — 2009-04-09

Whilst child welfare systems in the United Kingdom, Australia and the United States may share a number of common goals, they are not designed to identify families with multiple problems. Where system output measures have been utilised as proxy measures to detect such families they indicate the presence of families in the population served by child and family social work. In interviews with practitioners and managers working within contrasting welfare systems, we explore how families with multiple problems are identiifed, what repsonses they currently recieve and how their needs might be better met.

Identifying Families with Multiple Problems: Possible Responses from Child and Family Social Work to Current Policy Developments

Spratt, T. — 2009-04-09

In the development of family policy under New Labour there has been a growing tendency to identify groups who are likely to be high in lifetime costs to the state. Investment in such groups is seen as crucial. Whilst the economic case for current investment is compelling, idenitiying one of these groups, ‘families with multiple problems’ raises complex research problems and ethical issues. Reseach indicates that families with multiple problems may be identified on the caseloads of child and family social worker and there are claims that key events such as the registration of a child on the child protection register may indicate such multiple problems. This offers new opportunities for child and family social work to embrace less incident based ways of working in favour of longer term provision of services to address longer term risks.

Ways of Enhancing Hope among Social Workers Working with Adolescents in Residential Treatment Centres

Lipschitz-Elhawi, R. — 2009-04-09

This article suggests ways to enhance a sense of hope among social workers working with adolescents in residential treatment centres. The author describes difficulties in treating this population of adolescents, focusing on how these difficulties contribute to the therapist's sense of hopelessness. The importance of enhancing the therapist's sense of hope in order to facilitate successful treatment is stressed. The author maintains that it is possible to ‘work’ towards creating hope and to ‘foster’ its growth, using the components of hope defined by Jacoby (1987, 2003).

Mental health, risk communication and data quality in the electronic age

Langan, J. — 2009-04-09

This paper discusses the impact on mental health service users of the computerised healthcare programme currently being developed by the NHS that aims to make healthcare information available on a much wider basis than is currently the case. The potential benefits of electronic health records are considerable in terms of enhancing effective and safe healthcare. Yet electronic databases, whatever their purported aim, open up the potential for greater surveillance in a state where dissidence is becoming less easily tolerated and technological advances allow greater inroads into private lives. With a specific focus upon service users considered to pose a risk to other people, and drawing upon qualitative research jointly conducted by the author, this paper focuses upon the use of risk assessments in practice, the accuracy of information about risk, service users’ rights re access to information, their involvement in risk assessment and the objectivity of risk information. The paper concludes with a discussion of possible outcomes for mental health service users and professionals.

A Hindrance or a Help? The Contribution of Inspection to the Quality of Care in Homes for Older People

Furness, S. — 2009-04-09

There has been no real attempt to explore the contribution and effectiveness of inspection as a catalyst for change and improving service provision. In England the Government is currently reviewing the way that one regulatory body, the Commission for Social Care Inspection (CSCI), operates and carries out its inspection functions in relation to care homes for older people. This article reports on a study carried out in 2004 that asked managers of care homes for older people about their views and experiences of inspection and ways to improve the process. The findings endorse inspection as a necessary intervention. Managers identified that the main purposes of inspection were: to ensure the well-being of residents; to achieve or comply with standards; to check that the home was running properly and to act as a double check against the homes own audits. The two most useful aspects of inspection were as a means of providing feedback and as support and guidance to managers. The expertise of the inspector needs to be better deployed to drive up standards of care and maximise their influence to promote an improvement in services and innovation in practice.

Tensions in the Delivery of Social Work Services in Rural and Remote Scotland

Turbett, C. — 2009-04-09

This paper is based on a premise that social work practitioners in rural locations, especially those in remote areas, will often find themselves the subject of policy and resource decision-making processes that are not sympathetic to their situation. This is based on a lack of awareness of rural practice issues both from the inside as well as the outside of such contexts. Social workers in rural areas are in fact well placed to engage in imaginative and proactive rather than purely reactive types of practice. They can promote effective community capacity building as well as help individuals in need. If they are to achieve these potentials they have to take responsibility for exploring such themes themselves, within frameworks and understandings created through professional training alongside proper recognition by employers.

Challenges for Students Working in a Shared Traumatic Reality

Nuttman-Shwartz, O., Dekel, R. — 2009-04-09

The authors analyse a training programme for social work students which aims to provide the participants with tools for intervention in stress situations and crises that they experience with their clients. The present study was conducted among twenty students, who worked with adolescents during the forced relocation from the Gaza Strip in the summer of 2005. Analysis of their reactions to this intervention revealed five main themes: the nature of the helping relationship; integrating theory and practice; functioning in a changing and unpredictable environment; working in a shared reality; and the interaction between political attitudes and professional work. In contrast to conventional social work training, the course allotted considerable time to promoting dialogue, support, mutual aid, and reflection. It also extended the students’ intervention skills to the micro and macro levels of the helping professional relationship. Despite the limitations and costs of the course, the authors recommend further development of similar programmes, and continued evaluation of their effectiveness.

Emancipating and Empowering De-Valued Skilled Immigrants: What Hope Does Anti-Oppressive Social Work Practice Offer?

Danso, R. — 2009-04-09

Globalization and the transnational movement of people have intensified the migration of highly educated people from developing countries to the industrialized countries of the North. While causing a serious ‘brain drain’ or ‘talent shortage’ in developing countries, these migrations have also produced profound ethnic, cultural and racial diversity in receiving countries. Even as developed countries lure and vie for high-calibre immigrants in order to gain or maintain a competitive advantage in the ‘knowledge-based’ global economy, structural barriers in the labour markets of these countries exclude and deny immigrants access to occupations and jobs commensurate with their training and expertise. Denying people access to hiring opportunities for reasons unrelated to their abilities or industry is discriminatory, oppressive and unjust. This paper argues that anti-oppressive practice is an effective social work practice tool for gaining a better understanding of the oppression, marginalization and exclusion of skilled immigrants of colour in Western societies. In working with visible minority immigrants, anti-oppressive practice becomes a powerful instrument of resistance and for advocating for structural change that would emancipate and empower immigrants in Canada and other immigrant-receiving countries.

The Order of Chaos: Exploring Agency Care Managers' Construction of Social Order within Fragmented Worlds of State Social Work

Carey, M. — 2009-04-09

The paper explores the experiences of a small group of agency care managers, based in local authority Social Service Departments (SSDs). Utilizing a method influenced by ethnomethodology, it considers attempts by agency staff to construct order in their disparate worlds of work. It was discovered that organizational and legal procedures are especially significant in personal attempts to acquire order. In addition, conformity to established norms, including the ability to gain peer acceptance and support (both inside and outside the SSD), were also of importance. Despite some improvements, however, forms of personal order were rarely achieved (or achievable), due to an array of chaotic influences. They included the abundance of convoluted and ever changing organizational and legal procedures; limited discretion and access to training; and brief, and superficial, relations with colleagues and clients. It is argued that agency social work provides more intense exposure to the uncertainty and change that epitomize care management. Such temporary employment may also help to further fragment state social work, and increase the superficial relations and hazards that encompass market-driven public sector employment. It is concluded that agency work needs to be contextualized within broader trends—most notably globalization and marketization.

Social Work Practice with African-American Families: An Intergenerational Perspective, Cheryl Waites (ed.), New York, NY, Routledge, 2008, pp. xvii + 204, ISBN 9780789033925, $45.95

Bisman, C. — 2009-04-09

Joint Investigation in Child Protection: Working Together--Training Together, Liz Davies and Debbie Townsend, Lyme Regis, Russell House Publishing, 2008, pp. 334, ISBN 978 1 905541 32 4, {pound}44.95 * Investigative Interviewing of Children: Achieving Best Evidence, Working Together--Training Together, Liz Davies and Debbie Townsend, Lyme Regis, Russell House, Publishing, 2008, pp. 192, ISBN 978 1 905541 33 1, {pound}59.95

Brown, H. — 2009-04-09

Organisations and Management in Social Work, Mark Hughes and Michael Wearing, London, Sage, 2007, pp. 1 + 210, ISBN 978 1 4129 0201 4 (pbk), {pound}20.99

Harington, P. — 2009-04-09

Qualitative Research and Social Change: European Contexts, Pat Cox, Thomas Geisen and Roger Green (eds), Basingstoke, Palgrave Macmillan, 2008, pp. v + 221, ISBN 978 0 230 53727 9 (hbk), {pound}50.00

McLaughlin, H. — 2009-04-09

Evidence Based and Knowledge Based Social Work: Research Methods in Social Work Research, Inge M. Bryderup (ed.), Aarhus, Denmark, Aarhus University Press, 2008, pp. 230, ISBN 978 87 7934 422 8 (pbk), {pound}26.99 (distributed in UK by Gazelle Book Services Limited, www.gazellebookservices.co.uk)

Taylor, C. — 2009-04-09

Treatment of Borderline Personality Disorder: Guide to Evidence Based Practice, Joel Paris, New York, Guilford Press, 2008, pp. xii + 260, ISBN 978 1 59385 834 6 (pbk), $35.00

Warrener, J. — 2009-04-09

Social Work with Older People, 2nd edn, Karin Crawford and Janet Walker, Exeter, Learning Matters, 2008, pp. xii + 190, ISBN 9781844451555, {pound}18.00

Young, C. — 2009-04-09

Books Received

2009-04-09

Editorial

Holland, S. — 2009-03-02

In the Name of Love: Partner Abuse and Violence in Teenage Relationships

Barter, C. — 2009-03-02

This article provides a critical assessment of our understanding of partner abuse and violence in teenage relationships. Initially, an overview is provided of theoretical and methodological issues in this area, examining how these dominant trends have influenced perceptions of this problem. In contrast, a more encompassing approach, incorporating gendered power relations, teenagers’ own experiences and an acknowledgement of young people’s agency, is suggested. Incidence rates for different forms of teenage partner abuse and violence are discussed. The importance of understanding the context in which such violence occurs, and the meaning it holds for young people, are highlighted. Young people’s responses are explored and a range of risk factors associated with this form of violence evaluated. In conclusion, messages for policy and practice development are raised.

A Review of the Research on Solution-Focused Therapy

Corcoran, J., Pillai, V. — 2009-03-02

Solution-focused therapy is a strengths-based approach, emphasizing the resources people invariably possess and how these can be applied to the change process. A review was undertaken on the treatment outcome research involving solution-focused therapy to determine empirically its effectiveness. The review involved experimental or quasi-experimental designs conducted from 1985 to 2006 and was limited to published studies written in the English language. Subject, intervention and methodological information on studies were collected, as well as statistical information necessary to calculate effect sizes. After searching the literature, ten studies were located and described. No particular characteristics emerged regarding studies with high versus low effect sizes. Implications for research are advanced based on the review, especially related to social work practice.

Evidence-Based Practice in Social Work: Lessons from Judgment and Decision-Making Theory

van de Luitgaarden, G. M. J. — 2009-03-02

This paper introduces a critique of the experimentalist strand of the evidence-based practice movement in social work. It does so by drawing on the available body of knowledge that is found within the field of judgment and decision making. The nexus between experimentalist evidence-based practice and rational choice approaches to social work decision making is demonstrated. Subsequently, it argues that the properties of social work decision tasks are more likely to facilitate naturalistic than analytical decision making strategies. Recognition-primed decision making is introduced as a possible alternative to practice guidelines and decision aids. Finally, the consequences of embracing the principles of recognition-primed decision making are considered regarding social work practice, education and research.

Combining Professional Expertize and Service User Expertize: Negotiating Therapy for Sexually Abused Children

Hill, A. — 2009-03-02

This article is based on a qualitative study of the relationships between professionals, parents and children in the context of children’s therapy after child sexual abuse. Specifically, the study took place in a therapeutic team in England that has developed various ways of involving parents in children’s therapy. One of the aims of the study was to develop an understanding of the complex triangular dynamics that result. In this article, concepts from discourse analysis are used to show how therapists talk about various types of ‘cases’. Therapy often follows a child protection enquiry and so professionals, parents and children must negotiate sensitive issues of blame and responsibility. Second, the article draws on sociological work on expertize to show how therapists employ ‘interactional expertize’ as they combine their own expert view of the child’s situation with the expertize held by the family, whilst being mindful of the imperatives of child protection. Only a successful resolution of these tensions can lead to a negotiated agreement over a plan for therapy for the child. It is suggested that this study highlights an example of the kind of interactional expertize that is well developed within social work and reflects its distinctive value base.

Professional Categorization, Risk Management and Inter-Agency Communication in Public Inquiries into Disastrous Outcomes

Hall, C., Slembrouck, S. — 2009-03-02

This paper suggests a conceptual shift in the way we approach information sharing by foregrounding the role of categorization. We argue that the establishment of professional categories, while being central to institutional intervention, is contingent on the complexities of everyday inter-professional encounters. It is important therefore to analyse situations in professionals report on the negotiation of categories as well as how professionals account for a failure to align sender and receiver frames. The data analysed in this paper consists two excerpts each from a public inquiry in the UK (the Victoria Climbié Inquiry) and one in Belgium (the Parliamentary Commission Dutroux). In conclusion, we address a number of themes in contemporary debates about improving interagency and within-agency communication. In particular, we advocate the promotion of language awareness rooted in interactional analysis and the need to understand the on-the-ground dynamics of evolving everyday practice as important prerequisites for bringing about and responding to change.

Retaining Novices to Become Expert Child Protection Practitioners: Creating Career Pathways in Direct Practice

Healy, K., Meagher, G., Cullin, J. — 2009-03-02

In many post-industrial countries, concerns have been raised about high turnover of professional staff and the high proportion of novice practitioners on the frontline in child protection agencies. High turnover imposes costs on individual practitioners, employing organizations, service users (particularly vulnerable children) and society more broadly. We analyze the views of employers, policy makers and researchers in Australia, England and Sweden about factors contributing to high turnover at the frontline. We find that a combination of retention disincentives (push factors) and alternative career opportunities (pull factors) contributes to high turnover among frontline practitioners. Based on these findings, we propose a strategy for enhancing workforce retention at the frontline in child protection. The strategy involves creation of a career pathway that enables, and encourages, novice child protection workers to become advanced practitioners.

The Outcomes Research Project: An Exploration of Customary Practice in Australian Health Settings

Shapiro, M., Setterlund, D., Warburton, J., O'Connor, I., Cumming, S. — 2009-03-02

In response to the new ‘outcomes movement’ in health care settings internationally, social workers are increasingly expected to communicate their practice using the language of outcomes. Yet, little research has focused on the language that social workers use to describe their practice and how they identify appropriate interventions and link them to clearly defined evaluative outcomes. This paper is part of a large programme of research exploring and identifying issues associated with social work practice in the Australian health context. Specifically, the paper draws on qualitative data from the first stage of the project that explores issues associated with customary social work practice. Findings from the paper suggest clear evidence of tensions and difficulties experienced by social workers in attempting to communicate the critical expertise behind their practice and that practitioners have only rudimentary understanding of the concepts of outcomes and evaluation. A key challenge for social work research concerns how to encourage the profession actively to engage with the outcomes movement whilst maintaining the core principles and values of social work.

Some Critical Perspectives on Social Work and Collectives

Collins, S. — 2009-03-02

Recently, renewed attention has been given to the role of collectives in social work, based on a series of journal articles, newspaper coverage and a web-based Manifesto. These developments take place within contemporary society, where there is an emphasis on individualism, individualization and identity politics. This article examines the role of collectives in the early years of the twenty-first century. It examines Ferguson and Lavallette’s (2004) examples of collective approaches from a critical perspective, considering the strengths and weaknesses of these approaches and their contribution to social work practice. The examples of collective approaches include, first, groups of workers coming together within and across agencies; second, the development of strong, work-based union organizations; third, the recognition of the importance of groupwork and community development approaches; fourth, learning from and working with collective user movements; and, finally, learning from challenges to global capitalism such as the anti-capitalist movement. The article highlights the positives and great potential of collective approaches, but also includes some words of caution, noting that collectives are one amongst several ways of approaching interactions in social work.

Tackling Inequalities in Health: A Global Challenge for Social Work

Bywaters, P. — 2009-03-02

This paper presents arguments for recognizing and tackling health inequalities as a major new challenge for social work. Four underpinning points provide the building blocks for this case, that health inequalities are a matter of social justice and human rights, that the causes of health inequalities are primarily social, that poverty and poor health are common characteristics of social work service users and, that, therefore, health inequalities are a vital issue for social workers in all settings. A number of implications for social work practice and policy are outlined. The paper concludes that addressing health inequalities implies that social work has to become more actively engaged with critical global social, economic, environmental and political issues.

Publishing Voice: Training Social Workers in Policy Practice

Weiss-Gal, I., Peled, E. — 2009-03-02

To promote social justice, social workers are required, among other things, to engage in policy practice. The project at the center of this article aimed to improve the ability of social workers to use the mass media as an accessible method of policy practice. The project was conducted as part of an MSW course in Tel Aviv University. During the course, most of its participants succeeded in publishing op-ed articles on a variety of social topics, in the national or local press, in professional periodicals, and on radio and television. A retrospective evaluation of the project indicated an increase in participant’s feeling of personal and professional empowerment, as well in their sense of being capable of promoting social issues through the media following the project. Participants also reported that the project facilitated the identification, appreciation and expression of their unique professional voice. Drawing on this experience, a number of general principles are put forward for implementation in similar projects.

Prevention and Youth Crime: Is Early Intervention Working? Maggie Blyth and Enver Solomon (eds), Bristol, Policy Press, 2008, pp. ix + 120, ISBN 978 1 84742 263 7, {pound}14.99

Littlechild, B. — 2009-03-02

Research Methods in Child Welfare, Amy J. L. Baker and Benjamin J. Charvat, New York, Columbia University Press, 2008, pp. 464, ISBN 978 0 231 14130 7, {pound}29.50 (cloth)

Berridge, D. — 2009-03-02

Listening to Children: A Practitioner's Guide, Alice McLeod, London, Jessica Kingsley Publishers, 2008, pp. 224, ISBN 9781853022883, {pound}17.99/US$37.95

Goh, E. C. L. — 2009-03-02

Safeguarding Children and Schools, Mary Baginsky (ed.), London and Philadelphia, Jessica Kingsley Publishers, 2008, pp. 208, ISBN 9781843105145, {pound}19.99/US$39.95

Briggs, F. — 2009-03-02

Social Work with Children, Young People and their Families in Scotland, 2nd edn, Steve J. Hothershall, Exeter, Learning Matters, 2008, pp. 208, ISBN 978 1 84445 156 2, {pound}20.00

Dunworth, M. — 2009-03-02

A Child's Journey to Recovery: Assessment and Planning with Traumatized Children, Patrick Tomlinson and Terry Philpot, London, Jessica Kingsley, 2007, pp. 160, ISBN 978-1-84310-330-1, {pound}15.99

Brind, K. — 2009-03-02

Working with Ethnicity, Race and Culture in Mental Health, Hari Sewell, London, Jessica Kingsley Publishers, 2008, pp. 207, ISBN 978 1 84310 621 0, {pound}18.99

Golightley, M. — 2009-03-02

Youth Justice in Practice: Making a Difference, Bill Whyte, Bristol, The Policy Press, 2009, pp. x+240, ISBN 978 1 86134 839 5, {pound}16.99

Dugmore, P. — 2009-03-02

Child Law for Social Work, Jane Williams, London, Sage, 2008, pp. xvi+269, ISBN 1 4129 0804 3, {pound}19.99

Thomas, T. — 2009-03-02

Books Received

2009-03-02