Studien tar utgangspunkt i et metodeutviklingsprosjekt ved et barnevernkontor i Oslo, kalt ”DuKanJo” – et forsøk på å anvende eksternaliserende samtaler som en form for empowermentstrategi allerede i undersøkelsesfasen i en barnevernsak. I alt fire familier ble invitert til å delta i såkalte ettersamtaler – en form for evaluering av et empowermentprosjekt – samtaler som også utgjorde de primære forskningsdata i studien. Studien bruker en narrativ tilnærming både som forskningsmetode og som metodisk tilnærming i ettersamtalene og kan derfor betraktes som både en evaluering av en empowermentsrategi og som et forskningsprosjekt. Hensikten med studien er å belyse om hvorvidt en narrativ metodikk i undersøkelsessaker kan bidra til å flytte fokuset i barnevernssaker fra problemorientering til ressursorientering. Studien søker også å svare på om det er mulig for barnevernet - med et så klart definert kontrollmandat -, å gjøre bruk av en ressursorientert tilnærming for å fremme familienes salutogene krefter og mestringsstrategier. Studien bekrefter at en slik tilnærming er mulig, men at det fortsatt finnes faglige og etiske dilemmaer knyttet til en slik tilnærming. / The study is a result of, and an ambition of, using a narrative approach as an empowerment strategy at a child protection office in Oslo. Externalising conversations is the main method in the strategy, in order to implement this kind of narrative orientation, at an early stage in the co-operation between the family and the social workers. Four families were invited to an interview, which also was designed as an evaluation dialog of the empowerment process, which they have been attending to during the project. The data from the interviews was then examined by a narrative research method. The main purpose of the study is to confirm that a salutogenic approach is a useful orientation for social workers in their attempt to invite families into a more formal partnership at an early stage in the investigation process. The study confirms the advantages of the orientation, but also that there still is some methodological and ethical dilemmas related to this orientation. / <p>ISBN 91-7997-142-3</p>

The impact of change on organisations and the transforming role of the protection services member means that protection services members perform under more stress than members of almost any other profession. They are human and experience the same or sometimes more severe forms of depression, anxiety and other symptoms than other people. The objectives of this study were to determine the construct validity and internal consistency of the MBI-GS, UWES, OTLQ and Health subscales of the ASSET for protection services members. The relationship between work wellness, sense of coherence and health and the development of a model of work wellness for protection services members was determined. The research method consists of a literature review and an empirical study using a cross-sectional survey design to collect data. An availability sample (N = 341) from protection services members was taken. The Maslach Burnout Inventory - General Survey (MI-GS), Utrecht Work Engagement Scale (UWES), Orientation to Life Questionnaire (OTLQ), Health subscales of the ASSET and a Biographical questionnaire were administered. The statistical analysis was carried out with the help of the SPSS-programme and AMOS. The statistical methods utilised in the article consisted of descriptive statistics, Cronbach alpha coefficients, exploratory factor analysis, Pearson product-moment correlation coefficients and structural equation modelling methods. Exploratory factor analysis confirmed a two-factor model of work engagement, consisting of vigour/dedication and absorption. In previous research of protection services members, two factors in the MBI-GS could also be extracted, namely, burnout and professional efficacy. The MBI-GS and UWES both showed acceptable internal consistencies. Construct equivalence for different language groups was confirmed for the MBI-GS and UWES. vii Product-moment correlation coefficients showed significant negative correlations between Burnout and Vigour/Dedication, Burnout and Sense of Coherence, Sense of Coherence and Physical Health, Sense of Coherence and Psychological Health. There were significant positive correlations between Physical Health and Psychological Health, Professional Efficacy and Vigour/Dedication, Professional Efficacy and Absorption, Vigour/Dedication and Absorption and lastly Physical Health and Psychological Health. A causal model of work wellness was developed. The first two hypothesis were accepted: Work Wellness consists of Burnout and Work Engagement and high levels of burnout may result in either physical of psychological health problems. The third hypothesis was only partially accepted: the path coefficient from Sense of Coherence to Work Wellness and I11 Health is significant. Sense of Coherence partially mediated the impact of Burnout as part of Work Wellness on Ill Health. The path coefficient from Sense of Coherence to Ill Health was also found to be significant, indicating that higher levels of Sense of Coherence can result in fewer health problems. Recommendations for future research were made. / Thesis (M.A. (Industrial Psychology))--North-West University, Potchefstroom Campus, 2005.

Studien tar utgangspunkt i et metodeutviklingsprosjekt ved et barnevernkontor i Oslo, kalt ”DuKanJo” – et forsøk på å anvende eksternaliserende samtaler som en form for empowermentstrategi allerede i undersøkelsesfasen i en barnevernsak. I alt fire familier ble invitert til å delta i såkalte ettersamtaler – en form for evaluering av et empowermentprosjekt – samtaler som også utgjorde de primære forskningsdata i studien. Studien bruker en narrativ tilnærming både som forskningsmetode og som metodisk tilnærming i ettersamtalene og kan derfor betraktes som både en evaluering av en empowermentsrategi og som et forskningsprosjekt. Hensikten med studien er å belyse om hvorvidt en narrativ metodikk i undersøkelsessaker kan bidra til å flytte fokuset i barnevernssaker fra problemorientering til ressursorientering. Studien søker også å svare på om det er mulig for barnevernet - med et så klart definert kontrollmandat -, å gjøre bruk av en ressursorientert tilnærming for å fremme familienes salutogene krefter og mestringsstrategier. Studien bekrefter at en slik tilnærming er mulig, men at det fortsatt finnes faglige og etiske dilemmaer knyttet til en slik tilnærming. / The study is a result of, and an ambition of, using a narrative approach as an empowerment strategy at a child protection office in Oslo. Externalising conversations is the main method in the strategy, in order to implement this kind of narrative orientation, at an early stage in the co-operation between the family and the social workers. Four families were invited to an interview, which also was designed as an evaluation dialog of the empowerment process, which they have been attending to during the project. The data from the interviews was then examined by a narrative research method. The main purpose of the study is to confirm that a salutogenic approach is a useful orientation for social workers in their attempt to invite families into a more formal partnership at an early stage in the investigation process. The study confirms the advantages of the orientation, but also that there still is some methodological and ethical dilemmas related to this orientation. / <p>ISBN 91-7997-142-3</p>

The impact of change on organisations and the transforming role of the protection services member means that protection services members perform under more stress than members of almost any other profession. They are human and experience the same or sometimes more severe forms of depression, anxiety and other symptoms than other people. The objectives of this study were to determine the construct validity and internal consistency of the MBI-GS, UWES, OTLQ and Health subscales of the ASSET for protection services members. The relationship between work wellness, sense of coherence and health and the development of a model of work wellness for protection services members was determined. The research method consists of a literature review and an empirical study using a cross-sectional survey design to collect data. An availability sample (N = 341) from protection services members was taken. The Maslach Burnout Inventory - General Survey (MI-GS), Utrecht Work Engagement Scale (UWES), Orientation to Life Questionnaire (OTLQ), Health subscales of the ASSET and a Biographical questionnaire were administered. The statistical analysis was carried out with the help of the SPSS-programme and AMOS. The statistical methods utilised in the article consisted of descriptive statistics, Cronbach alpha coefficients, exploratory factor analysis, Pearson product-moment correlation coefficients and structural equation modelling methods. Exploratory factor analysis confirmed a two-factor model of work engagement, consisting of vigour/dedication and absorption. In previous research of protection services members, two factors in the MBI-GS could also be extracted, namely, burnout and professional efficacy. The MBI-GS and UWES both showed acceptable internal consistencies. Construct equivalence for different language groups was confirmed for the MBI-GS and UWES. vii Product-moment correlation coefficients showed significant negative correlations between Burnout and Vigour/Dedication, Burnout and Sense of Coherence, Sense of Coherence and Physical Health, Sense of Coherence and Psychological Health. There were significant positive correlations between Physical Health and Psychological Health, Professional Efficacy and Vigour/Dedication, Professional Efficacy and Absorption, Vigour/Dedication and Absorption and lastly Physical Health and Psychological Health. A causal model of work wellness was developed. The first two hypothesis were accepted: Work Wellness consists of Burnout and Work Engagement and high levels of burnout may result in either physical of psychological health problems. The third hypothesis was only partially accepted: the path coefficient from Sense of Coherence to Work Wellness and I11 Health is significant. Sense of Coherence partially mediated the impact of Burnout as part of Work Wellness on Ill Health. The path coefficient from Sense of Coherence to Ill Health was also found to be significant, indicating that higher levels of Sense of Coherence can result in fewer health problems. Recommendations for future research were made. / Thesis (M.A. (Industrial Psychology))--North-West University, Potchefstroom Campus, 2005.

The events of 9-11 resulted in a slew of policy, procedural, and organizational changes within many government departments as the U.S. government took many steps to enhance security to prevent future terrorist attacks. The emphasis on high threat targets by the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) and other government agencies, such as the White House, the Capitol and Congressional office buildings, major infrastructure and facilities within US cities, airline travel, ports and economic supply chains has generated a great deal of debate and attention. There are however, targets that are considered low risk situated in high threat areas that also provide open access to the public for which security professionals are responsible that should not be overlooked during the War on Terror. The question is how low risk targets in high threat areas should be protected? What resource distribution makes sense? What practices should be applied to achieve security? The purpose of this research is to look at one of these targets, the Smithsonian Institution and how the Smithsonian Institution's Office of Protection Services (SI OPS) responded to the terror attacks of 9-11 and the ongoing threat. Four factors will be examined: (1) the screening process, (2) the budget, (3) the security policy formulation process, and (4) training. The study focus is based on data derived from semi-structured interviews and a review of SI documents. Examining post 9-11 security changes allows one to see how SI OPS has evolved in its attempt to meet both internal security demands and expectations against an external security concern. The findings reveal SI OPS initially underwent significant changes within the four factors in the three years following the attacks of 9-11. However, limited resources and manpower strains have played major roles in the subsequent decline in some of the factors after their initial increases. Although a return to the security levels immediately following 9-11 may not be imminent, it is recommended that OPS management make stronger efforts to communicate with non-security managers and return to more stringent visitor screening procedures. / Ph. D.

Les adolescents difficiles préoccupent de plus en plus nos politiques et interrogent particulièrement les différents professionnels œuvrant auprès d’eux (travailleurs sociaux, psychologues, etc.). Ces jeunes sont essentiellement repérés par notre société au travers de leurs actes oppositionnels et délinquants, voire violents, mais moins pour leurs souffrances pourtant multiples. Les spécialistes du soin et du travail social cherchent par ailleurs à pouvoir prendre en charge cette jeunesse et leurs familles de façon la plus adaptée possible en fonction des problématique relevées. La Protection de l’Enfance repère les enfants et adolescents en danger dans leur environnement et/ou dans leur famille et propose des placements et des accompagnements médico-sociaux et éducatifs par le biais de l’Aide Sociale à l’Enfance ou de la Protection Judiciaire de la Jeunesse. Notre étude s’intéresse à l’évaluation de la trajectoire des adolescents accueillis au sein de l’association Second Souffle proposant des séjours de rupture à des jeunes en grandes difficultés sociales, scolaires, familiales et personnelles. Ainsi, nous avons étudié l’évolution éducative et psychopathologique de 47 adolescents et adolescentes ayant participé à des séjours courts et longs en France et à l’étranger. / Adolescents with difficulties preoccupy our politicians more and more, and question different professionals working with them (social workers, psychologists, etc.). They essentially call for our society’s attention through oppositional, delinquant, or worse, violent actions, less through the extent of their suffering. With regard to the observed needs, specialists try to provide the best care possible to those youths and their families. Child Protection Services (Protection de l’Enfance) identify children and adolescents at risk in their institutional or family environment and suggest placements and social and medical measures through Child Social Help Services (Aide sociale à l’Enfance) or Judicial Protection Services for Youth (Protection Judiciaire de la Jeunesse).The historical development of outdoor education and/or therapy programs in France and abroad reveals an growing interest with innovating programs intended for children, adolescents and families with severe difficulties. Wether anglo-saxon or originating in the antipsychiatric or judicial context in France, such programs share the objectives of offering a temporary removal from a pathogenetic environement to the adolescent, valuing their individual potential by « looking elwewhere », and remaining part of the youth’s educational trajectory. However, in a social and economical context where the assessment of professional practices is becoming systematic, no scientific evaluation of such experimental placements has been conducted to this day in France. Educational evaluations have been led in Belgium, following a political demand, and in Switzerland, through a university study. However, some methodological difficulties limit the scope of such evaluations and their results; on the one hand, one has to point out the shortage of standardised evaluation tools; on the other hand, one should bear in mind the complexity and uniqueness of such programs as well as of the individual situations of the concerned youth. Our study evaluates the trajectory of adolescents cared for within a specific program (the Second Souffle association) providing outdoor educational/therapeutical experiences to youth with major social, educational, family and personal difficulties. We studied the educational and psychopathological evolution of 47 adolescents that participated in short and long outdoor educationm/therapy programs in France and abroad. Our methodology was adapted to the specific context (Second Souffle program) and to the psychopathological particularities of the reference population, as well as to existing research pertaining to adolescent psychopathology. Our study protocol develops a longitudinal evaluation involving several measurement times : before and after short and long outdoor programs, during long programs, dans two months after all pograms. Results show a global improvement of the adolescents’ trajectories at the end of the programs, as well on educational as on psychopathological asepcts. With regard to the longitudinal evaluation, those positive evolutions tend to be maintained, especially in cases where follow up recommendations are implemented after the adolescents return. Besides, personal and family problems are related to educational and psychopathological outcomes. However, the small size of our study sample has resulted in reduced power for our statistical analyses; however several results showing the efficiency of the program are statistically significant. In conclusion : Our study shows interesting relationships between organisation, functioning, educational objective attainment, and the evolution of adolescents which benefit from the measures. Considered within a given time frame and with this limited sample, the outdoor education/therapy program studied seems to positively impact the adolescents’ educational and psychopathological trajectories.

Syftet med denna kvantitativa studie är att undersöka huruvida det finns skillnader i andelen insatser inom barnavården mellan de svenska kommunerna. Studiens fokus ligger på att analysera kommunernas strukturella förhållanden i förhållande till vilka åtgärder de vidtar i barnavårdsärenden. De empiriska uppgifterna för studien är främst sekundärdata som samlats in från Statistiska centralbyrån och från Socialstyrelsen. Frågeställningarna för studien är ”Skiljer sig kommunerna åt i andelen barnavårdsinsatser och i sådana fall hur?” och "Om det skiljer sig åt mellan kommunerna, har kommunens strukturella förutsättningar en inverkan på andelen barnavårdsinsatser och i sådana fall på vilket sätt?”. Studiens inhämtade data visar att det finns skillnader i andelen insatser i barnavården mellan kommunerna. Vidare visar analyser av data att skillnaderna i andelen insatser är korrelerade, både negativt och positivt till kommunernas strukturella förhållanden. Resultaten visar också att de olika variabelgrupperna av strukturella förhållanden har olika förklaringar till variationen i de åtgärder som vidtagits. Demografi är den enskilt största förklaringen medan ekonomin visar sig vara den minsta mellan grupperna. Den största effekten som kommer av en variabel är kommunens invånares utbildningsnivå. Vidare visar studien på skillnaderna mellan de svenska kommunerna och belyser ojämlikheterna i det svenska välfärdssystemet. Detta trots sina många förordningar för att motverka detta och att vara allmänt känt för att vara i framkant av den universalistiska synpunkten. / The aim of this quantitative study is to examine whether there are differences in the quantity of actions taken in child protections services between the swedish municipalities. Moreover the focus of the study is to analyze the municipalities structural conditions in relation to what actions they take in child protection service cases. The empirical data for the study is primarily secondary data collected from the Swedish Central Bureau of Statistics and from the Swedish National Board of Health and Welfare. The questions at issue for the study are “Do the municipalities differ in the proportion of actions taken in child protection services and if so, how?” and “If it differs between the municipalities, do the municipalities’ structural conditions have an impact on the proportion of actions taken in child protection services and if so, in what way? The collected data shows that there are differences in the amount of actions taken in child protection service cases between the municipalities. Furthermore the analyses of that data demonstrates that the differences in the actions taken are correlated, both negatively and positively to the structural conditions of the municipalities. The findings also shows that the different variable groups of structural conditions have different explanatories of the variation in the actions taken. Demography is the single biggest explanatory while economy is shown to be the smallest between the groups. The greatest effect of a single variable is the education level of the municipality’s citizens. Further on the study exposes the differences between the Swedish municipalities and brings light to the inequalities in the Swedish welfare system. This despite its many regulations to decrees it and widely being known for being in the forefront of the universalistic viewpoint.

Made available in DSpace on 2016-06-02T19:45:57Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 1 DissAS.pdf: 873261 bytes, checksum: 9886f0f3c41c4d04cfaf6a4ff398724f (MD5) Previous issue date: 2007-02-09 / Universidade Federal de Sao Carlos / Research indicates how foster care institutions problems may harm the development of children and adolescents in need for protection. Thus, a more efficient practice by professionals who work in these entities could contribute with the prevention of deficiencies, which institutionalized children may present. The present work focuses on the role of child protection services and has as general objective to investigate the strategies employed by such professionals, when evaluating foster care institutions, as well as under which quality indicators their assessment behavior is under control. Two studies were carried through in two interior cities of São Paulo estate, Brazil. Four child protection agents, a member of the Municipal Council for the Rights of the Children and the Adolescents, a member of the Social Assistance City Council, the Judiciary power s Social Worker, the town´s Judge, and the Coordinator of the town s single foster care institution participated of Study 1. Study 2 participants were: nine professionals responsible for the foster care evaluation (five Child Protection Agents, one member of the Municipal Council for the Rights of the Children and the Adolescents, the Youth and Child Judge and the city s Prosecutor; as well as five foster care institutions Coordinators). The data was collected by means of interviews, questionnaires and document analysis. Results indicated that the professionals who monitor foster care institutions, in both studies, use, predominantly, local visits to the entity as an evaluation strategy. However, these visits vary in frequency and format (some talk every two to six months with employees and children; while others only observe the functioning of the entity). Quality indicators described as guidelines for the assessment are also varied. The low frequency of reports regarding training aspects of foster care staff and the entity s concern for maintenance of the familiar bonds are of notice. / Pesquisas indicam como as dificuldades de instituições do tipo abrigo podem prejudicar o desenvolvimento de crianças e adolescentes que estão sob essa medida de proteção. Nesse sentido, uma prática mais eficiente dos profissionais que atuam nessas entidades, poderia contribuir com a prevenção de deficiências às quais os abrigados estão sujeitos. O presente trabalho foca o papel da rede de proteção à criança e ao adolescente e tem o objetivo geral de investigar as estratégias utilizadas por esses profissionais ao avaliarem os abrigos, bem como sob quais indicadores de qualidade o comportamento de avaliar dos mesmos está sob controle. Foram realizados dois estudos em duas cidades do centro-oeste do estado de São Paulo. Participaram do Estudo 1 quatro conselheiros tutelares, uma representante do Conselho Municipal dos Direitos das Crianças e dos Adolescentes, uma integrante do Conselho de Assistência Social do Município, a Assistente Social do poder judiciário, o juiz da cidade e a coordenadora do único abrigo do município. Os participantes do Estudo 2 foram nove profissionais responsáveis pela avaliação dos abrigos, sendo eles: os cinco Conselheiros Tutelares do Município, uma das integrantes do Conselho Municipal dos Direitos da Criança e do Adolescente, o Juiz da Vara da Infância e da Juventude e o promotor da cidade; e cinco coordenadores de abrigos. A coleta de dados foi realizada por meio de entrevistas, questionários e análise documental. Os resultados indicam que os profissionais que monitoram os abrigos, em ambos os estudos, utilizam predominantemente a visita à entidade como estratégia de avaliação. No entanto a mesma é conduzida de forma e freqüência variada (alguns conversam, bimestralmente ou semestralmente, com funcionários e abrigados; outros apenas observam o funcionamento da entidade). Os indicadores de qualidade descritos como orientadores da tarefa de avaliar, também são variados. Ressalta-se a baixa freqüência de citação de aspectos relacionados às práticas educativas dos monitores dos abrigos e cuidados da entidade para manutenção dos vínculos familiares.

The transition from the previous Child Care Act 74 of 1983 to the new Children’s Act 38 of 2005 has been chaotic. Since the introduction of the Children’s Act 38 of 2005, and its subsequent implementation in April 2012, there has been instability in rendering child protection services. This state of affairs has been caused by some serious loopholes and shortcomings in the new legislation; challenges faced by social workers in adapting to it; lack of capacity of the stakeholders in the child protection field; and the shortage of resources to implement it. The goal of the study was to explore the challenges faced by social workers working in child protection services in implementing the Children’s Act 38 of 2005. The researcher conducted this study from a qualitative approach. The study was applied and exploratory in nature and utilised a collective case study design. There were 18 social workers in the employ of Johannesburg Child Welfare who participated in the study. They were selected through purposive sampling. Data was collected by means of focus group discussions. The findings show that social workers face institutional and infrastructural barriers in implementing the Children’s Act. Furthermore, social workers face massive human resource challenges in the implementation of the Children’s Act and these stem from the shortage of social workers; inadequate training of social workers and high case loads. Shortcomings that have been realised in the implementation of the Children’s Act 38 of 2005 relate to the transfer of children to alternative placements; different interpretations of different sections of the said Act; the fundamental change to a court based system of renewing the placement of children; contradictions of the Children’s Act with other legal statutes and societal values; and the over reliance of the child protection system on the foster care system to provide income support for children. The study concluded that the Children’s Act needs to be amended to address its pre-statutory, statutory and post-statutory shortcomings, which create many challenges in its implementation. The study also concluded that the shortage of social workers and/or inadequate training contributes to high case loads, which in turn, influences the effectiveness of child protection services. Recommendations on addressing the challenges faced by social workers in implementing the Children’s Act include the establishment of a kinship care grant; amending the Children’s Act; organising training for all role players involved in implementing the Children’s Act; and addressing technical issues on the implementation of the Children’s Act. / Dissertation (MSW)--University of Pretoria, 2014. / gm2014 / Social Work and Criminology / unrestricted

Lo scopo della ricerca è stato comprendere il ruolo dei coordinatori nei Servizi Tutela Minori lombardi. Questi middle managers sono il primo riferimento organizzativo e metodologico per gli assistenti sociali, ma allo stesso tempo hanno una responsabilità nei confronti del top management e delle comunità rispetto al buon andamento di questi Servizi. Attualmente la conoscenza scientifica prodotta sul ruolo è scarsa e sembra che esso abbia preso forma prevalentemente nella pratica. Lo studio ha avuto una duplice finalità, sia descrittiva che esplorativa: la prima parte della ricerca ha infatti indagato le caratteristiche socio-demografiche, la qualifica e la carriera dei managers, mentre la seconda ha esplorato la loro opinione sul loro ruolo in termini di competenze richieste, bisogni e risorse. La ricerca ha previsto un'indagine preliminare sui Servizi Tutela Minori lombardi, un questionario on-line indirizzato a tutti i coordinatori attivi in Lombardia, nonchè interviste semistrutturate indirizzate ad un campione di questi managers (18). Due approcci teorici hanno fatto da cornice agli approfondimenti, ovvero gli studi culturali delle organizzazioni e del management (Alvesson e Berg, 1993; Mintzberg, 1980, 2010; Gagliardi e Monaci, 2011) e il Relational Social Work (Folgheraiter, 1998, 2011, 2017). L’integrazione tra queste teorie e i dati raccolti dai managers hanno permesso di delineare le caratteristiche specifiche che il ruolo di coordinatore tutela minori assume nel sistema di Child Protection lombardo e di far emergere la prospettiva dei coordinatori sul proprio lavoro. / The aim of this study was to understand better the role of middle managers in lombard Child Protection services. This managers are the first organizational and methodological reference for social workers, but at the same time they have a responsability towards top management (and communities) in terms of a good service trend. There isn’t so much knowledge about their work and it seems that they have built their role in practice. The study explored the current characterization of managers that are active in lombard Child Protection system and collected their opinions about the role. The study consisted in a preliminary investigation about Child Protection services in Lombardy After this first investigation, the first step was a survey on-line addressed to all the managers that actually works in Lombardy; the second step consisted in semistructured interviews addressed to a sample of these managers (18). The aim of the first part of the research was descriptive (socio-demographic characteristics, qualification and career of the managers) while that of the second part was exploratory (managers opinion about their role in terms of competences requested, needs and resources). The research has combined two theoretical approaches, cultural studies of organizations/management (Alvesson e Berg, 1993; Mintzberg, 1980, 2010; Gagliardi e Monaci, 2011) and Relational Social Work (Folgheraiter, 1998, 2011, 2017): the integration of them allowed the identification of specific characteristics of child protection middle managers and their point of view about their job.