This thesis explores the connection between policy creation and social work practices that are related to this policy. The main aim of the thesis is to fill a gap that exists in the research in relation to the connection between particular policies concerning the care and protection of children and the social work practices related to these. Primarily, I am interested in the experiences of social workers in community groups and the issues and problems they face in trying to integrate these policies into their everyday practice. The thesis presents four case studies that highlight the interactive relationship that exists between policy and practice. These case studies have been developed from the interviews I conducted with care and protection community workers in Christchurch in 1999. The first two case studies - the development of the Children, Young Persons and Their Families Act (1989), and the process of devolution that occurred through the 1980s and 1990s - look at particular policy developments that have impacted on care and protection social work, and explore the way that policy creation and implementation is contingent on the specific time and place in which it is developed. The second two case studies - Family Group Conferences and Strengthening Families - focus on two quite different forms of social work practice and provide an insight into the way that policy is implemented and used by practitioners at ground level. These four case studies form the basis of an argument around the idea that policy and practice are dynamic and interactive processes that will inform and change one another. Rather than seeing policy as something that is created by bureaucrats in the state and applied by practitioners at the ground level, I argue that the policy process is more complex than this. The case studies provide practical examples of this idea, and explore the complexities of policy development and the relationship between policies, policy actors and specific community social work practices - an area about which there has been little research.

Abstract The original intention for the Partnership Community Worker (PCW) project in 2006 was for it to be an extension of the Pegasus Health General Practice and furthermore to be a bridge between the community and primary healthcare. It was believed that a close working relationship between the Practice Nurse and the PCW would help the target population of Māori, Pacifica and low income people to address and overcome their perceived barriers to healthcare which included: finance, transport, anxiety, cultural issues, communication, or lack of knowledge. Seven years later although the PCW project has been deemed a success in the Canterbury District Health Board annual reports (2013-14) and community and government agencies, including the Christchurch Resettlement Service (2012), many of the Pegasus Health General Practices have not utilised the project to its full extent, hence the need for this research. I was interested in finding out in the first instance if the model had changed and, if so why, and in the second instance if the promotional material currently distributed by Pegasus Health Primary Health Organisation reflected the daily practice of the PCW. A combination of methods were used including: surveys to the Pegasus Health General Practices, interviews with PCWs, interviews with managers of both the PCW host organisations and referring agencies to the PCW project. All the questions asked of all the participants in this research were focussed on their own perception of the role of the PCW. Results showed that the model has changed and although the publications were not reflecting the original intention of the project they did reflect the daily practice of the PCWs who are now struggling to meet much wider community expectations and needs. Key Results: Partnership Community Worker (PCW) interviews: Seventeen PCWs of the 19 employed were interviewed face to face. A number expressed interest in more culturally specific training and some are pursuing qualifications in social work; for many pay parity is an issue. In addition, many felt overwhelmed by the expectations around clients with mental health issues and housing issues now, post-earthquakes. Medical Practice surveys: Surveys were sent to eighty-two Pegasus Health medical practices and of these twenty five were completed. Results showed the full capacity of the PCW role was not clearly understood by all with many believing it was mostly a transport service. Those who did understand the full complexity of the role were very satisfied with the outcomes. PCW Host Community Manager Interviews: Of the ten out of twelve managers interviewed, some wished for more communication with Pegasus Health management because they felt aspects of both the PCW role and their own role as managers had become blurred over time. Referring organisations: Fifteen of the fifty referring community or government organisations participated. The overall satisfaction of the service was high and some acknowledged the continuing need for PCWs to be placed in communities where they were well known and trusted. Moreover results also showed that both the Canterbury earthquakes 2010-2011 and the amalgamation of Partnership Health PHO and Pegasus Health Charitable Limited in 2013 have contributed to the change of the model. Further future research may also be needed to examine the long term effects on the people of Canterbury involved in community work during the 2011-2014 years.

A Atenção Básica caracteriza-se por preconizar ações de proteção, promoção, prevenção de agravos e manutenção à saúde, privilegiando a singularidade, complexidade, integralidade e o aspectos sociais, culturais e históricos da população assistida, Nesta perspectiva, destaca-se a atuação dos Programas de Saúde da Família (PSF), especialmente pelo trabalho realizado pelo agentes comunitários de saúde (ACS) que visa fomentar o vínculo através do acompanhamento longitudinal das famílias e tem o papel de elo e articulação com a rede pública de saúde. No contexto do uso abusivo de substâncias psicoativas (SPA) e acompanhamento das famílias, a atuação destes profissionais tem importância estratégica no território, mediando a relação da comunidade e os serviços de saúde. Isso por possibilitar a identificação dos casos, os encaminhamentos pertinentes e participação na implementação de intervenções específicas na comunidade. O objetivo deste estudo é, identificar e analisar as percepções que os ACS têm sobre o trabalho realizado em um sentido amplo, sobre o uso, usuário de SPA e familiares e da rede de atendimento. Trata-se de um estudo de caráter descritivo, com análise qualitativa de dados, que contou com a participação de 11 ACS que trabalham em dois núcleos com PSF de uma cidade do interior de São Paulo. O método de coleta de dados foram oito grupos focais (quatro em cada núcleo e gravados com autorização dos participantes), com utilização de 4 roteiros de condução com o total de 12 perguntas semi-diretivas, 3 por encontro. Também foi preenchida a ficha de caracterização dos ACS, com dados pessoais de idade, sexo, escolaridade e tempo de serviço no núcleo de PSF. Para tratamento dos dados, utilizou-se a análise temática de conteúdo; no processo de transcrição do material e leitura identificaram-se os temas (primeiro por serviço e depois juntos). Categorias emergiram e estabeleceu-se o seu nível de relevância, estipulado sob critério de intercessão entre o número de menções nos grupos versus número de menções por participantes, na graduação: Muito Relevante, Relevante e Pouco relevante. Ao todo foram 5 categorias centrais: Sujeito da ação de cuidar (Temas: suporte à família, vínculo contínuo perfil dos casos, participação em reuniões);Sentimentos associados ao trabalho(Temas: impotência, medo); Conhecimentos e crenças(Temas: visão do uso, do usuário de SPA e de sua família, mapeamento de problemas relacionados ao uso e tráfico);Atendimento em saúde ao usuário de SPA e famílias(Temas: dispositivos de encaminhamento intervenções no PSF, rede frágil de atendimento, políticas públicas frágeis); Especificidades do trabalho do ACS(Temas: trabalho na comunidade, organização do trabalho, capacitação, sobrecarga ocupacional).Concluiu-se que para os participantes do estudo, suas percepções envolviam sentimentos, valores e julgamentos acerca das SPA e do uso, necessidades e dificuldades sentidas na abordagem. Mencionaram ações de suporte oferecido e vínculo com as famílias de usuários de SPA, e sua percepção sobre a rede de atendimento. Cada núcleo executa ações de sensibilização e encaminhamento a serviços de saúde especializados, mas procuram manter o contato com as famílias dos usuários de SPA, devido ao vínculo estabelecido e da necessidade de acompanhamento no território. Apesar das percepções dos participantes convergirem, houve distinções pontuais quanto às peculiaridades no trabalho realizado e nos sentimentos vivenciados junto à população específica, justificado por diferenças nos perfis sociais dos residentes nos dois territórios de abrangência dos serviços e na organização do trabalho / Basic health cares characterized by recommending protective actions, health promotion, severity prevention and health maintenance, emphasizing the singularity, complexity, integrality and the social, cultural and historical aspects of the assisted population. In this perspective, the role of the Family Health Programs (FHP) is highlighted, especially for the work done by health community workers(HCW) which aims to enhance the bond through the longitudinal follow-up of families and has the role of linking and connecting with the public health system. In the context of psychoactive substances abuse (PSA) and follow-up of families, the work of these professionals is strategically important in the community, mediating the relationship between community and health services. This work allows the identification of cases, the relevance of referrals and participation in the implementation of specific interventions in the community. The aim of this study is to identify and analyze the perceptions that WCH have in a broadly sense on the work that is performed, substance using, PSA users and families and service network. This is a descriptive study, with qualitative data analysis, which included the participation of 11HCWworking on two FHP nucleus of an inner city in São Paulo. The data collection method consisted of eight focus groups(four in each nucleus, being recorded with the permission of the participants), using 4guiding scripts with a total of 12 semi-directive questions, 3 per encounter. The characterization of HCW form was also filled with personal data of age, gender, education and time of service at the FHP.For the data processing, the thematic content analysis was used; the themes were identified in the processes of transcribing the material an dreading(first of all by service and thentogether). Categories emerged and then it was established their level of relevance, stipulated by the criterion of intersection between the number of entries in groups versus number of participants mentions, with graduation of: Very Relevant, Relevant and PartiallyRelevant. Altogether, there were five main categories: Subject in theaction of caring(Themes: family support, continuous bond,cases profile, meeting participations); Work associated feelings(Themes:impotence,fear); Knowledge andbeliefs(Themes: point of view on PSA, psychoactivesubstances user\'sandtheir families, mappingproblemsrelated to usingandtrafficking substances); healthcare to PSA user and families(Themes:referral devices, FHP interventions, fragile et work care, fragile public policies); Working specifications of HCW(Themes:community work, work organization, training, work overload). In conclusion, participants perceptions involved feelings, valuesand judgments about the PSA, needs and difficulties experienced in this approach. They mentioned offered support action, bond with substance user\'s families and their perception of the service network. Each nucleus promote awareness actions and specialized health services referrals, yet try to maintain contact with the substance users\'s families due to their bond and need for assisting the comunity. Despite the convergent participants\' perceptions, there were specific distinctions in the work peculiarities and experienced feelings toward the specific population, differences were justified by social profilesof the residents in the two health services areas and work organization

A Atenção Básica caracteriza-se por preconizar ações de proteção, promoção, prevenção de agravos e manutenção à saúde, privilegiando a singularidade, complexidade, integralidade e o aspectos sociais, culturais e históricos da população assistida, Nesta perspectiva, destaca-se a atuação dos Programas de Saúde da Família (PSF), especialmente pelo trabalho realizado pelo agentes comunitários de saúde (ACS) que visa fomentar o vínculo através do acompanhamento longitudinal das famílias e tem o papel de elo e articulação com a rede pública de saúde. No contexto do uso abusivo de substâncias psicoativas (SPA) e acompanhamento das famílias, a atuação destes profissionais tem importância estratégica no território, mediando a relação da comunidade e os serviços de saúde. Isso por possibilitar a identificação dos casos, os encaminhamentos pertinentes e participação na implementação de intervenções específicas na comunidade. O objetivo deste estudo é, identificar e analisar as percepções que os ACS têm sobre o trabalho realizado em um sentido amplo, sobre o uso, usuário de SPA e familiares e da rede de atendimento. Trata-se de um estudo de caráter descritivo, com análise qualitativa de dados, que contou com a participação de 11 ACS que trabalham em dois núcleos com PSF de uma cidade do interior de São Paulo. O método de coleta de dados foram oito grupos focais (quatro em cada núcleo e gravados com autorização dos participantes), com utilização de 4 roteiros de condução com o total de 12 perguntas semi-diretivas, 3 por encontro. Também foi preenchida a ficha de caracterização dos ACS, com dados pessoais de idade, sexo, escolaridade e tempo de serviço no núcleo de PSF. Para tratamento dos dados, utilizou-se a análise temática de conteúdo; no processo de transcrição do material e leitura identificaram-se os temas (primeiro por serviço e depois juntos). Categorias emergiram e estabeleceu-se o seu nível de relevância, estipulado sob critério de intercessão entre o número de menções nos grupos versus número de menções por participantes, na graduação: Muito Relevante, Relevante e Pouco relevante. Ao todo foram 5 categorias centrais: Sujeito da ação de cuidar (Temas: suporte à família, vínculo contínuo perfil dos casos, participação em reuniões);Sentimentos associados ao trabalho(Temas: impotência, medo); Conhecimentos e crenças(Temas: visão do uso, do usuário de SPA e de sua família, mapeamento de problemas relacionados ao uso e tráfico);Atendimento em saúde ao usuário de SPA e famílias(Temas: dispositivos de encaminhamento intervenções no PSF, rede frágil de atendimento, políticas públicas frágeis); Especificidades do trabalho do ACS(Temas: trabalho na comunidade, organização do trabalho, capacitação, sobrecarga ocupacional).Concluiu-se que para os participantes do estudo, suas percepções envolviam sentimentos, valores e julgamentos acerca das SPA e do uso, necessidades e dificuldades sentidas na abordagem. Mencionaram ações de suporte oferecido e vínculo com as famílias de usuários de SPA, e sua percepção sobre a rede de atendimento. Cada núcleo executa ações de sensibilização e encaminhamento a serviços de saúde especializados, mas procuram manter o contato com as famílias dos usuários de SPA, devido ao vínculo estabelecido e da necessidade de acompanhamento no território. Apesar das percepções dos participantes convergirem, houve distinções pontuais quanto às peculiaridades no trabalho realizado e nos sentimentos vivenciados junto à população específica, justificado por diferenças nos perfis sociais dos residentes nos dois territórios de abrangência dos serviços e na organização do trabalho / Basic health cares characterized by recommending protective actions, health promotion, severity prevention and health maintenance, emphasizing the singularity, complexity, integrality and the social, cultural and historical aspects of the assisted population. In this perspective, the role of the Family Health Programs (FHP) is highlighted, especially for the work done by health community workers(HCW) which aims to enhance the bond through the longitudinal follow-up of families and has the role of linking and connecting with the public health system. In the context of psychoactive substances abuse (PSA) and follow-up of families, the work of these professionals is strategically important in the community, mediating the relationship between community and health services. This work allows the identification of cases, the relevance of referrals and participation in the implementation of specific interventions in the community. The aim of this study is to identify and analyze the perceptions that WCH have in a broadly sense on the work that is performed, substance using, PSA users and families and service network. This is a descriptive study, with qualitative data analysis, which included the participation of 11HCWworking on two FHP nucleus of an inner city in São Paulo. The data collection method consisted of eight focus groups(four in each nucleus, being recorded with the permission of the participants), using 4guiding scripts with a total of 12 semi-directive questions, 3 per encounter. The characterization of HCW form was also filled with personal data of age, gender, education and time of service at the FHP.For the data processing, the thematic content analysis was used; the themes were identified in the processes of transcribing the material an dreading(first of all by service and thentogether). Categories emerged and then it was established their level of relevance, stipulated by the criterion of intersection between the number of entries in groups versus number of participants mentions, with graduation of: Very Relevant, Relevant and PartiallyRelevant. Altogether, there were five main categories: Subject in theaction of caring(Themes: family support, continuous bond,cases profile, meeting participations); Work associated feelings(Themes:impotence,fear); Knowledge andbeliefs(Themes: point of view on PSA, psychoactivesubstances user\'sandtheir families, mappingproblemsrelated to usingandtrafficking substances); healthcare to PSA user and families(Themes:referral devices, FHP interventions, fragile et work care, fragile public policies); Working specifications of HCW(Themes:community work, work organization, training, work overload). In conclusion, participants perceptions involved feelings, valuesand judgments about the PSA, needs and difficulties experienced in this approach. They mentioned offered support action, bond with substance user\'s families and their perception of the service network. Each nucleus promote awareness actions and specialized health services referrals, yet try to maintain contact with the substance users\'s families due to their bond and need for assisting the comunity. Despite the convergent participants\' perceptions, there were specific distinctions in the work peculiarities and experienced feelings toward the specific population, differences were justified by social profilesof the residents in the two health services areas and work organization

Au croisement d’une histoire sociale du pouvoir local, d’une ethnographie des mobilisations électorales et d’une sociologie des porte-parole, cette thèse se consacre à l’étude des conditions de représentation électorale des habitants des cités dans une ancienne municipalité communiste de la banlieue parisienne. Elle s’intéresse aux processus de production de porte-parole et à leur accès au pouvoir municipal. L’enquête s’appuie sur des entretiens approfondis et croisés avec les différents protagonistes, sur des observations directes, sur l’analyse d’archives ainsi que sur des statistiques descriptives. La thèse montre que la faible représentation des porte-parole de cités parmi les élus n’est pas tant liée à une crise des vocations qu’à une crise des débouchés dans un marché électoral fermé et dans un contexte de dévaluation du militantisme partisan. La première partie rend compte du déclin du modèle ouvriériste de représentation des classes populaires et du creusement de la distance sociale entre les élus de la gauche municipale et les fractions minoritaires des classes populaires. La seconde partie explique comment les métiers « d’éducateurs » deviennent une filière propice au porte-parolat et offrent un modèle alternatif de militantisme, faisant de l’encadrement de la jeunesse populaire, un nouvel enjeu de luttes dans l’espace du pouvoir local. Enfin, la dernière partie envisage les logiques d’importation de ces conflits associatifs et professionnels dans le champ électoral. La mobilisation des éducateurs de cités aux élections se déroule en plusieurs étapes, passant de la recherche d’alliances avec la gauche municipale à des logiques de concurrence partisane, puis d’opposition. / At the intersection of social history of local power, ethnography of electoral canvassing, and sociology of spokespersons, this thesis focuses on the study of the conditions of the electoral representation of the inhabitants of deprived estates in a former communist local council in the suburbs of Paris. It deals with the process of developing spokespeople and their access to the local power. The survey is based on thorough research, which included interviews with people from a wide variety of political backgrounds, direct observations, and the analysis of archives for study of relative statistics. Thisthesis shows that the poor representation of spokespeople from deprived estates among the elected members of the local councils isn’t so much linked to a lack of vocation as to a lack of prospects in a closed electoral market and in a context of devaluation of partisan commitment. The first part of this thesis accounts for the decline in the working class pattern of representation among the popular classes and the widening of the social gap between the elected members of the municipal left and the minority groups from the popular classes. The second part explains how the roles of community workers are becoming a route for spokespeople and providing an alternative pattern for activists, to guide theworking class youth into the new political arena which focuses on the struggles in the area of local power. Finally, the third part considers the process of bringing a range of conflicts into the electoral landscape. The recruitment in the elections of the youth workers from deprived estates goes through several stages, ranging from attempts to form an alliance with the municipal left to a process of partisan competition, then opposition.

Introduktion: Psykisk ohälsa har ökat markant de senaste åren bland unga i Sverige och därmed även konsekvenser av psykisk ohälsa enligt forskningen. Flickor är i högre grad drabbade av psykisk ohälsa medan pojkar i högre utsträckning begår suicid. Orsaken till denna ökning är komplex, men det finns fortfarande stora kunskapsluckor kring varför det ser ut så. Få studier bekräftar eller beskriver arbetsmetoder och tillvägagångssätt samt effekter av samhällsaktörers hälsofrämjande och förebyggande arbete. Syfte: Denna studies syfte är att undersöka hur valda samhällsaktörer inom en region i södra Sverige arbetar hälsofrämjande med psykisk hälsa och suicidprevention hos ungdomar. Följande frågeställningar användes: Hur arbetar samhällsaktörer för att nå ut till ungdomar? Vilka arbetsmetoder använder aktörerna för att främja psykisk hälsa och suicidprevention hos ungdomar? Skiljer sig arbetsmetoderna för att främja psykisk hälsa och suicidprevention mellan pojkar och flickor? Metod: Kvalitativa semistrukturerade intervjuer genomfördes, som analyserades utifrån innehållsanalys med en induktiv ansats. Resultat: Fem kategorier växte fram: Utbildning ökar samhällsaktörers kompetens, Arbetsmetoder som stärker ungdomars psykiska hälsa, Hälsofrämjande insatser för psykisk hälsa och suicidprevention, Utmaningar i arbetet med att stärka ungdomars psykiska hälsa och Mål med hälsofrämjande- och suicidpreventivt arbete. Slutsats: Samhällsaktörers gemensamma mål var att stärka unga individer att själva söka hjälp när det förekom ett behov. Ett salutogent fokus var också närvarande samt olika tillvägagångssätt för att nå målet att stärka unga individer. Tillvägagångssätten handlade bland annat om samverkan, kunskapsutveckling och digitala verktyg. / Introduction: Mental illness has increased significantly in recent years among adolescents in Sweden thus also the consequences of mental illness according to research. Girls are more affected by mental illness while boys are more likely to commit suicide. The reason for this increase is complex, but there are still large gaps in knowledge about why it looks this way. Few studies confirm or describe work methods and approaches and effects of community workers health promotion and prevention work. Aim: The purpose of this study is to investigate how selected community workers within a region in southern Sweden work to promote mental health and suicide prevention for adolescents. Following questions were used: How do the community workers reach adolescents? Which approach do the community workers use to promote mental health and suicide prevention to adolescents? Does the method between promoting mental health and suicide prevention differ between boys and girls? Method: Qualitative semi-structured interviews were conducted, which were analysed based on content analysis with an inductive approach. Result: Five categories emerged: Education increases the competence of community workers, Work methods that strengthen adolescents mental health, Health-promoting efforts for mental health and suicide prevention, Challenges in the work to strengthen adolescents mental health and Goals with health-promoting and suicide-preventive work. Conclusion: Community workers common goal was to empowering adolescents to seek help themselves when needed. A salutogenic focus was present as well as different approaches to reach the goal of empowering adolescents. The approaches were for instance through collaboration, knowledge development and digital tools.