published_or_final_version / Social Work / Master / Master of Social Work

published_or_final_version / Social Work / Master / Master of Social Work

published_or_final_version / Public Administration / Master / Master of Public Administration

published_or_final_version / Social Work / Master / Master of Social Sciences

No description available.

Undoubtedly, runaway and homeless youth (RHY) are one of the most vulnerable, yet underserved groups in our country. Well-meaning advocates have developed programs and services in an attempt to remedy this, yet there is little evidence of their effectiveness. Moreover, according to the research literature, a low utilization rate of current services by youth is a major concern. From a constructivist theoretical position, this study posits that the missing element is youth voice and the researcher hired formerly homeless youth to conduct the analysis of focus group data gathered from RHY who were participating in a range of services funded by the Runaway and Homeless Youth Act. By employing participatory action research (PAR) methods, this study privileges youth voice and asks two research questions; 1) what are current program models doing right with regards to RHY services, and 2) what can be learned by employing youth analysts in research. Findings indicate that how services are offered is as important as what services are offered. Additionally, by privileging youth and providing meaningful participation, youth are exceptionally capable to develop and evaluate services, programs and policy. Youth workers must continue to privilege youth voice if they hope to effect change in the lives of young people. If not, services will continue to play a key role in keeping RHY as one of the most marginalized groups in our society.

The purpose of this study is to examine the level of social support in a sample of foster youth nearing emancipation. Additionally this study seeks to examine if a relationship between social support and anxious and/or avoidant attachment styles can be observed.

published_or_final_version / Social Work / Master / Master of Social Work

There is renewed interest in the role that direct work and relationship-based practice does, should, or could play, in social work practice with children and young people. This study used a qualitative approach to explore day-to-day direct work with children and young people who are ‘looked after’ at home, from the perspectives of children, social workers and those supervising practice. The thesis explores the meanings ascribed to direct work, and identifies factors which enable direct work, and those which act as barriers. The research was undertaken in Scotland, and although the legislation, policy, and guidance underpinning practice differ from other jurisdictions, the messages to emerge are relevant across the UK and beyond. The study found that despite the existence of barriers, direct work which is characterised as meaningful by children, young people and professionals does happen; and that the relationships formed between children and social workers are both a precursor to and an outcome of direct work. A core theme is that although individual relationships are central, the everyday encounters between children and their social workers need to be understood and situated within the personal, professional and structural contexts in which they take place.

published_or_final_version / Social Work / Master / Master of Social Sciences