Magister Artium (Child and Family Studies) - MA(CFS) / The main aim of this study was to explore lived experiences of unaccompanied foreign minors in South Africa from a social work perspective. An important goal was to also explore the lack of guidelines on how to assist these young people. This study was conducted in a Children's Shelter, which is situated in the North-Eastern outskirts of Polokwane, where a group of unaccompanied refugee children from Zimbabwe were living. This study was qualitative and explorative in nature. Non-probability sampling was used to select participants for the study. Ten children were selected, ranging from age 14 to 18 years. Semi-structured interviews with the children and a focus group discussion with five care workers were held. Thematic analysis was used. The findings of this study revealed that services by government social workers are limited compared to those from social workers employed with nongovernmental organisations. It is hoped that this study will assist government and other role players in planning, advocacy and policy development related to the issues affecting unaccompanied refugee children. / South Africa

This study emanates from the need to understand the socio-economic factors that might have contributed to the patients dropping out of the MASA antiretroviral therapy programme in Botswana. The aim of the study was to explore the socio-economic factors that are involved in compliance to antiretroviral therapy. It is crucial to know what these factors are and the strategies that can be deployed to address them. This will assist in the achievement of the programme goals. The type of research that was used is applied research. One of the primary rationales of applied research is that the study may have some practical use. The purpose of applied research is to contribute knowledge that will help people understand the nature of the problem in order to intervene, and this was the main motivation for this study. Since the MASA programme was launched, there were some patients who were ‘lost to follow-up’. As a result, there was a need to understand the reasons behind this phenomenon, so that the patients who are enrolled on the programme are retained. In order to gain an in-depth understanding of how the socio-economic factors affect compliance with antiretroviral therapy, phenomenology was used as a research strategy. Using the phenomenological strategy helps in understanding the nature or meaning of the respondents’ everyday experiences and to transform experiences into consciousness. The sampling method that was used is probability sampling, utilising availability sampling. The population for this study was HIV positive adults who had dropped out of the MASA Programme at Princess Marina Hospital, IDCC clinic in Botswana. The data collection instrument that was used was the interview schedule. From the conclusions, it is apparent that the socio-economic factors are crucial and should therefore be given more attention if better compliance is to be realised. In the same breath, patients require counselling that will focus, not only on the medical aspects of HIV/AIDS but also on the socio-economic factors. As shown in this study it is predominantly the socio-economic factors that led to patients dropping out of the programme. Social workers can play a critical role in this regard as they are equipped with counselling skills. Lastly, the conclusions and recommendation arising from this study are provided. / Dissertation (MA (Social Health Care))--University of Pretoria, 2007. / Social Work and Criminology / unrestricted

As inovações trazidas pelo Sistema Único de Assistência Social (SUAS) apontam para o trabalho socioeducativo como referencial teórico-metodológico, técnico-operativo e éticopolítico para as intervenções dos trabalhadores sociais. Nesse sentido, a pesquisa objetivou compreender a percepção dos trabalhadores sociais (assistentes sociais e psicólogos) acerca do trabalho socioeducativo realizado com as famílias nos Centros de Referência de Assistência Social (CRAS) no município de Pindamonhangaba/SP, região metropolitana do vale do Paraíba Paulista, O pressuposto teórico fundamenta-se numa concepção sóciohistórica sobre a política de assistência, e os trabalhadores sociais, bem como a dimensão socioeducativa, esta última baseada na educação popular, a qual desvenda um princípio educativo que essencialmente materializa um conteúdo político-pedagógico, articulado a determinado modo de produção e reprodução das relações sociais. A abordagem é qualitativa, para coletas de dados utilizou-se a metodologia da História Oral e a técnica de depoimentos orais a partir de eixos norteadores, os quais respondem aos objetivos específicos propostos na pesquisa. A pesquisa se desenvolveu com seis profissionais que atuam no CRAS de distintos territórios do município. As análises mostram a importância da temática pesquisada já que o trabalho socioeducativo é visto pelos trabalhadores sociais como peça fundamental na execução de suas atividades nos CRAS; relatam também que o trabalho socioeducativo alcança, mesmo que minimamente, autonomia/emancipação política dos usuários da Política de Assistência Social, embora ratificam que não é somente por meio do trabalho socioeducativo que estas categorias se efetivarão. As temáticas dos encontros, segundo os profissionais são planejadas pelos próprios a partir do cotidiano dos participantes a fim de proporcionar a identificação e pertencimento com o grupo, favorecendo a participação. De outro lado, embora os profissionais concebam o significado e importância de uma prática voltada para `pedagogia emancipatória, ainda apresentam dificuldades em construir estratégias que contribuam com o rompimento da alienação dos sujeitos com vistas à sua organização e participação. Por fim, o trabalho no CRAS e nos grupos socioeducativos é percebido pelos profissionais como um trabalho interdisciplinar, pois este trabalho concebe o indivíduo/família em uma perspectiva de totalidade. / The innovations brought by Social assistance Unique Sytem (SUAS) point to the social education work as theorical methodological referencial, technical operation and politics etchic for the interventions of social workers. In that sense, the research aimed to comprehend the social workers? perception (social assistants and psychologists) about. The social education work accomplished with the families in Social assistance refencial Centres (CRAS) in Pindamonhangaba district/SP, metropolitan region of Paraíba Paulista Valley. The theoric presupposed is based on a social historical conception about the popular and assistance politics, whicht clears up a educative. Beginning that materialize a pedagogical politics content essentially, articulated to certain way of production and reproduction of social relations. The approach is qualitative, for the data colletcs was used the Oral History methodology and the techinic of oral depositions from guided axis, whitch respond to the specific aims proposed in the research. The research was developed with six professionals who act in CRAS from the districts different territories. The analisis education work is seen. By social wokers as fundamental tool in the fulfilling of their activities in CRAS; also relate that the social educational work reaches, even very little politics autonomy/emancipation of Social Assistence Politics users, although ratify the at is not only through the social educational work that these categories will be executed. The tematics of the meetings, according to the professionals are planned by themselves from the participants day-to-day, in order to provide identification and belonging to the group, supporting the participation. Otherwise although the professionals conceive the mianing and importance of a practice turned to `emancipating pedagogy, the still show difficulties to buied strategies that contribute for disruption of the fellows? Alienations with sights for their organization and participation. At last, the work in CRAS and in the social education groups is realized by the professionals s an interdisciplinary work, for this work conceives the fellw/family in totality perceive.

The aim of this study is to gain a deeper understanding of how threats and violence can be normalized in the children’s departments within the social services, through a qualitative study. We spoke to six social workers in a series of semi-structured interviews. We analyzed the material that we gathered through previous studies together with Eva Lundgren’s theory of the Process of Normalization. Conclusions that can be drawn from our research are that social workers experience a much larger deal of threats, rather than actual physical violence. The extent of threats targeted at social workers has led to a normalization, and to a culture of where these threats are accepted as a part of the work environment. Threatening situations mainly occur in direct correlation to immediate care of children. In order to cope with threats and violence, a collegial spirit and environment is essential, in combination with correspondence to the head of the administration. Social workers tend to normalize threats by finding other explanations to why the client acted in a certain manner, or by blaming themselves for the situation. There is no clear or given definition of what threats are in the workplace, but it is rather a personal definition, where social workers themselves categorize whether they acknowledge something as a threat or not. The normalization of threats on the other hand can be used as a coping mechanism, to protect oneself from the setbacks and negative effects that threats and violence can entail.

The aim of this study was to highlight the existing measures of Swedish governmental social services against burnout among social workers. Social services around Sweden are reported to have social workers with high workloads and stress. The purpose therefore was to look at all the different measures the social services in Sweden take to combat and prevent burnout. Thus, head managers of social services in four different municipalities were interviewed about what measures they take against burnout in their workplace. Results were presented with Braun & Clarkes thematic analysis (2006) in six different themes. The results showed social services using many different preventive measures against burnout. Measures that were found showed collegial and manager support, supportive conversation and therapy as well as creating a positive organizational culture. In conclusion, the social services had a wide range of measures and preventions to reduce the risk of burnout among its social workers. / Studiens syfte är att belysa de aktuella åtgärderna som socialtjänsten har på plats för att förebygga och hantera utmattning. Socialtjänsten I Sverige rapporteras ha socialarbetare som har hög arbetsbelastning och stress. Därför är syftet att titta på de olika åtgärderna som socialtjänsten har på plats för att motverka utmattning bland sina socialarbetare. Enhetschefer för fyra olika kommuners socialtjänst har intervjuats kring vilka förebyggande åtgärder som de använder sig av för att motverka utmattning på arbetsplatsen. Resultatet var presenterat med Braun & Clarkes tematiska analys (2006) i form av sex olika teman. Det resultaten visar är att socialtjänsten använder många olika preventiva åtgärder mot utmattning. Bland dessa åtgärder finns stöd från kollegor och chefer, stödjande samtal och terapi samt utformandet av en positiv organisationskultur. Sammanfattningsvis har socialtjänsten en stor och bred variation av förebyggande åtgärder för att minska risken för utmattning bland sina socialarbetare

Syftet med denna studie var att undersöka vilken betydelse det kan ha för diakoner i Svenska kyrkan att vara vigd åt sitt uppdrag. Inom ramen för studien genomfördes nio kvalitativa forskningsintervjuer med diakoner från fem olika församlingar i Stockholms stift. Materialet bearbetades i hermeneutisk tradition och analyserades utifrån teorin om rollövergångar. Studien pekar på att vigningen innebär en identitet som medför en känsla av mening, kontroll och tillhörighet. Denna identitet genomsyrar inte bara diakonens sociala arbete utan diakonens hela liv. Vigningen kräver att diakonen lever ett integrerat liv, vilket innebär samstämmighet mellan vem man är på arbetet och vem man utanför arbetet, och för med sig förväntningar från olika håll som diakonen måste förhålla sig till. Studien pekar också på en ambivalens hos intervjupersonerna; samtidigt som diakonrollen genomsyrar diakonens hela liv måste diakonen sätta upp gränser av olika slag för att kunna kliva ur sitt arbete. / The aim of this study was to examine what significance it may have for deacons within the Church of Sweden to be consecrated to their mission. Within the framework of the study, nine qualitative research interviews were conducted with deacons from five different parishes in the Stockholm diocese. The material was processed in hermeneutical tradition and analysed based on the theory of role transitions. The study indicates that the ordination implies an identity that brings a sense of meaning, control and belonging. This identity permeates not only the deacon's social work but the deacon's entire life. The ordination requires that the deacon lives an integrated life, which means coherence between who one is at work and who one is off work, and brings with it expectations from different directions that the deacon must relate to. The study also indicates an ambivalence among the interviewees; while the role of the deacon permeates the deacon's entire life, the deacon must set boundaries of various kinds in order to be able to step out of her or his work.

I en värld av påstådda dikotomiska ytterligheter söker studenterna svar på frågan om politisk korrekthet påverkar socionomens arbete. Studien hämtar inspiration från Glenn Lourys teoretisering av begreppet ”politisk korrekthet” för att finna konkreta mekanismer bakom begreppet som socialt fenomen. Studien är kvalitativ och utgår från 8 intervjuer av yrkessamma socionomer. Med hjälp av Goffmans dramaturgi och delvis narrativ analys finner studenterna, bland annat, att socionomen behandlar sina värderingar som ett tudelat ämne: privata och professionella. Detta ger socionomen en möjlighet att distansera sina egna uppfattningar och ta på sig en ”socionomkostym” för att utföra sitt arbete utan att uppleva negativa sanktioner från klienter, kollegor eller ledning. / In a world of alleged dichotomic extremes, students seek answers to the question if political correctness affects the social work. The study draws inspiration from Glenn Loury's theorization of the concept of "political correctness" to find concrete mechanisms behind the concept as a social phenomenon. The study is qualitative and is based on 8 interviews of professional social workers. With the help of Goffman's dramaturgy and partly narrative analysis, the students find, among other things, that the social worker treats his values as a two-part topic: private and professional. This gives the social worker the possibility to distance their own perceptions and wear a ”social worker suit” to carry out their work without experiencing negative sanctions from clients, colleagues or management.

The National Board of Health and Welfare has been assigned by the Swedish government to map the Social services work with social assistance from a gender perspective. The assignment is based on the fact that in many municipalities the economic support is paid only to one in the household, which can be a contributing factor in strengthening economic violence in a relationship. The ambition with this study has been to examine how social workers that works with social assistance talk about economic violence. The result of this study is based upon qualitative interviews with six social workers that works with social assistance in Malmö. The result has been analyzed based on discourse analysis and social constructivism as theoretical approaches. Based on our discourse theory, four discursive themes have emerged; the discourse of ignorance, the discourse about a conservative approach, the discourse of the lack of time, and the discourse of silence. Based on the four discursive themes that have been featured in this study, it has been found that they constitute difficulties for the social workers to their approach to economic violence in their work. These difficulties restrict the social workers to take on economic violence as a concept in their daily work.

The purpose of the study is to examine how social workers and psychologists work with adolescents who have autism spectrum disorders and suffer from mental illness. This includes examining what working methods social workers and psychologists work with and partly understanding what they consider to be the reason why adolescents with autism spectrum disorders experience anxiety and depression. The study's empirical material was collected through three semi-structured interviews with social workers and psychologists, then analyzed with previous research and theoretical perspectives and literature. A social worker and two psychologists, one of whom is from child and adolescent psychiatry and the other two are from habilitation. The study's theoretical frame of reference consists of three interconnected theories that social workers and psychologists can work with. The first is theory of mind, the second is central coherence and the third is executive functions. The result shows that social workers and psychologists identify information about adolescents with autism spectrum disorders who suffer from mental illness. It also emerges that BUP works with the treatment and medication of mental illness while the habilitation works with autism spectrum disorders and adolescents' behavioral problems by providing support efforts. In summary, the study's findings show that autism spectrum disorders are strongly related to mental illness. The study can conclude that the result has a good connection to previous research and theoretical perspectives. / Syftet med studien är att studera hur socialarbetare och psykologer arbetar med ungdomar som har autismspektrumtillstånd och lider av psykisk ohälsa. Med detta innefattas att dels undersöka vilka arbetsmetoder socialarbetare och psykologer arbetar med dels förstå vad de anser vara orsaken till att ungdomar med autismspektrumtillstånd upplever ångest och depression. Studiens empiriska material har samlats in genom tre semistrukturerade intervjuer med socialarbetare och psykologer, därefter analyserats med tidigare forskning och teoretiska perspektiv samt litteratur. En socialarbetare och två psykologer varav den ena är från barnoch ungdomspsykiatrin och de två andra är från habiliteringen. Studiens teoretiska referensram består av tre sammankopplade teorier som socialarbetare och psykologer kan arbeta med. Den första är theory of mind, den andra är central koherens och den tredje är exekutiva funktioner. I resultatet framkommer det att socialarbetare och psykologer identifierar information om ungdomar med autismspektrumtillstånd som lider av psykisk ohälsa. Det framkommer även att BUP arbetar med behandling och medicinering av psykisk ohälsa medan habiliteringen arbetar med autismspektrumtillstånd och ungdomars beteendeproblematik genom att ge stödinsatser. Sammanfattningsvis visar studiens resultat att autismspektrumtillstånd är starkt relaterat till psykisk ohälsa. Studien kan dra slutsatsen av att resultatet har en god koppling till tidigare forskning och teoretiska perspektiv.

The diploma thesis deals with the topic of the professional past of managers in social services and its influence on the performance of managerial profession. In my thesis I'm dealing with those workers who are currently working in managerial positions and previously worked as social workers. I am interested about how their professional past influenced the performance of their managerial function and how these managers get new managerial competencies. In the theoretical part, I mainly deal with the competencies of social workers, the competencies of managers and then I compare them. I also deal with the acquisition of managerial competencies. In the practical part, I describe the methodology of research surveys and present the results I have reached. The main method is a qualitative research survey using a semi-structured interview. A supplementary method is a quantitative research survey using a questionnaire. In the discussion, I compare these results with available resources. Finally, I reflect the fulfillment of the goals of my thesis and make recommendations.