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Deciding to detain: the use of compulsory mental health law by UK social workers
- Author:
- CAMPBELL Jim
- Journal article citation:
- British Journal of Social Work, 40(1), January 2010, pp.328-334.
- Publisher:
- Oxford University Press
Since the 1980s, mental health social workers in the UK have been mandated to use powers of compulsion that have profound consequences for service users and their carers. This critical commentary reviews debates about the functions of the ASW (Approved Social Worker) and its equivalent in Scotland, the Mental Health Officer (MHO). It continues with a discussion of the evidence about process and outcomes in this area. A final section explores the challenges created for the profession by new forms of coercion in the community, such as community treatment orders (CTOs), and suggests ways in which this demanding role can be carried out through balancing agency and legal expectations with a rights-based approach to working with service users and their carers.
Social work, political violence and historical change: reflections from Northern Ireland
- Author:
- CAMPBELL Jim
- Journal article citation:
- Social Work and Society: International Online Journal, 5, 2007, Online only
- Publisher:
- University of Bielefeld
In this paper the author outlines the background to the history of the conflict in Northern Ireland which led to the current ‘Troubles’. In this discussion a range of key ideas are highlighted, including the nature of sectarianism and patterns of violence which have profoundly affected the society. The second part of the paper reviews a number of issues which face social workers when they try to deal with the effects of such violence as well as highlighting new challenges which have emerged as the society moves towards the resolution of conflict. It concludes with the argument that, wherever there is such conflict in the world, social workers need critically to understand the way in which political and social structures impinge upon their everyday practice.
User's views of a community mental health social work service in Belfast
- Author:
- CAMPBELL Jim
- Journal article citation:
- Social Services Research, 1, 1996, pp.1-14.
- Publisher:
- Social Services Research Group
This study surveyed the views of a sample of service users about a community mental health social work service administered by South and East Belfast Community Health and Social Services Trust. A key focus of the survey was the extent to which social work services met the minimum standards specified in the document 'A Charter for Patients and Clients (DHSS (NI), 1992)'. Reports on the research findings and highlights ways in which services can be improved.
‘Just get on with it’: a qualitative of study of social workers’ experiences during the political conflict in Northern Ireland
- Authors:
- CAMPBELL Jim, et al
- Journal article citation:
- British Journal of Social Work, 51(4), 2021, pp.1314-1331.
- Publisher:
- Oxford University Press
This article reports on a retrospective study of social workers experiences and perception of practice during the height of the political conflict in Northern Ireland (1969–1988). The article describes the qualitative research methodology used to access the sample, design of interview schedule and data collection. Data were analysed using an iterative process to highlight emergent themes. Interviews were carried out with twenty-eight social workers who were employed in a range of agencies. The findings explore how social workers routinely had to negotiate access to communities in the midst of this violence, sometimes through paramilitary organisations. Respondents identified a range of coping mechanisms that they had used to make the ‘abnormal normal’. This included adopting apolitical, neutral stances, yet taking risks in the everyday tasks of meeting the needs of individuals and families. There was, however, limited evidence of employers providing support for practitioners, with peer support most prevalent and purposive forms of education and training during this period. The authors argue for greater attention to the skills and knowledge required for interventions with victims and survivors of the conflict and a more holistic approach to the analysis of social work and political conflict across international contexts. (Edited publisher abstract)
Dealing with the learning needs of child welfare social and health care workers: an interdisciplinary approach to blended learning with part time students
- Authors:
- CAMPBELL Jim, et al
- Journal article citation:
- Social Work Education (The International Journal), 37(6), 2018, pp.746-760.
- Publisher:
- Taylor and Francis
- Place of publication:
- Philadelphia, USA
This paper describes and critically evaluates a new interdisciplinary MSc in Child Welfare and Protection designed in Ireland for national and international post-qualified practitioners. It begins with a review of literature and policy and practice contexts where considerable changes to the delivery of child care services, as well as processes of monitoring need and risk, have occurred in the last decade. The next section of the paper discusses a range of perspectives on the strengths and limitations of blended learning approaches and how they can be used in interdisciplinary professional education. The second half of the paper focuses on the design and delivery of the program that was managed by academics from social work, radiography and nursing. Included in the paper are details of curriculum content, pedagogic methodologies, assessment and program management. The authors discuss opportunities and obstacles in delivering the program, including the careful use of resources and technological support, interdisciplinary debates and institutional commitments. The paper appeals to a form of blended learning that supports student learning, not just through new forms of technology, but by demonstrating that these can be mixed with traditional types of learning and teaching. In doing so it is argued that professionals can develop important, appropriate skills, knowledge and values. (Publisher abstract)
Legal capacity and the mental health social worker role: an international comparison
- Authors:
- CAMPBELL Jim, et al
- Journal article citation:
- Journal of Social Work Practice, 32(2), 2018, pp.139-152.
- Publisher:
- Taylor and Francis
- Place of publication:
- Philadelphia, USA
New capacity laws have been introduced to many jurisdictions over the last decade. These laws have substantially changed the way in which mental health social workers and other professionals approach decisions about, and for, clients. Most notably, there is now an expectation that mental health social workers engage more in supported decision-making to prevent the need for substitute decision-making. This article describes the legal and policy drivers that have led to these changes in practice, with a particular emphasis on the significance of the United Nations Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (the UNCRPD) and the importance of recovery approaches in mental health services. It then uses selected literature to explore the efficacy of the laws and decision-making in this area. The second part of the article identifies the role that mental health social workers can play in supporting legal capacity, drawing from the authors’ experience and knowledge of mental health social work and law in four jurisdictions: Victoria, Australia; Ontario, Canada; England and Wales; and Northern Ireland. It is concluded that mental health and other social workers need to refine skills, knowledge and values to accommodate this paradigm shift in law, policy and practice. (Publisher abstract)
Social work education and political conflict: preparing students to address the needs of victims and survivors of the Troubles in Northern Ireland
- Authors:
- CAMPBELL Jim, et al
- Journal article citation:
- European Journal of Social Work, 16(4), 2013, pp.506-520.
- Publisher:
- Taylor and Francis
This paper reports on the evaluation of a European PEACE III sponsored teaching and learning project that was designed to enable social work students to better understand the needs of victims and survivors of the conflict in Northern Ireland. (European PEACE III is the EU Programme for Peace and Reconciliation in Northern ireland and the Border Region of Ireland, 2007-2013). The paper provides an introduction to policy, practice and educational contexts, and then reviews the literature on social work, conflict and trauma. It also summarises key, innovative pedagogical approaches used in teaching, including the use of ground rules, teaching teams consisting of lecturer and service user dyads, learning exercises and case studies. The paper then explains the evaluation methodology. This involved two surveys which returned 144 student and 34 practice teacher questionnaires. The findings reveal that students were generally committed to this form of teaching and engagement with victims and survivors of the conflict, although some students reported that their attitudes towards this subject had not changed. Some students also discussed how the conflict had affected their lives and the lives of families and friends; it is argued that such biographical details are crucial in developing new pedagogical approaches when discussing conflict and trauma. Practice teachers who supervised some of these students on placement reported general levels of satisfaction with preparedness to work with conflict-related situations, but were less convinced that organisations were so committed. The paper concludes with a discussion of the study limitations and a recommendation for more robust methods of teaching and evaluation in this area of social work education and practice. (Edited publisher abstract)
Meeting the needs of vulnerable young men: a study of service provider views
- Authors:
- CAMPBELL Jim, et al
- Journal article citation:
- Children and Society, 27(1), 2013, pp.60-71.
- Publisher:
- Wiley
Policy-makers, professionals and the wider public have become increasingly concerned about the complex social, health and educational problems faced by young men in Northern Ireland. The aim of this study was to explore the views of service providers on the problems faced by vulnerable young men. Five focus groups were conducted with a total of 31 members of staff working with vulnerable young men aged 14-19 years. The participants worked in 2 community-based groups, a statutory health and social services group and an educational group. Thematic analysis of the transcripts of the focus group interviews revealed 6 key themes: the importance of masculinity in explaining problematic behaviour; the misuse of alcohol and drugs; alienation and social isolation; concerns about suicide and self-harm; the quality of existing services; and recommendations for changes to services. The service providers generally acknowledged the social context in Northern Ireland in explaining these behaviours and argued for enhanced services and a more developed skills base in working with vulnerable young men.
Post-qualifying mental health social work practice
- Authors:
- CAMPBELL Jim, DAVIDSON Gavin
- Publisher:
- Learning Matters
- Publication year:
- 2012
- Pagination:
- 224p.
- Place of publication:
- London
Social workers and other professionals working in the area of mental health often face complex and difficult practice dilemmas shaped by increasingly demanding policy and legal contexts across the UK. This book focuses on the post-qualifying role played by mental health social workers, drawing on theoretical and research perspectives on the subject, before outlining how professionals can achieve best practice. The topics covered include: models of mental health and illness; discrimination and social exclusion; addressing service user needs; carer perspectives; working with individuals, families and communities; and multi-disciplinary working. The chapters are accompanied by exercises, aimed at encouraging readers to critically reflect on their own professional and personal experiences. Case studies are also included to illustrate the information provided in the text. This book will be of interest to social work practitioners taking postgraduate courses in mental health and for those training to become Approved Mental Health Professionals.
An audit of assessment and reporting by approved social workers (ASWs)
- Authors:
- DAVIDSON Gavin, CAMPBELL Jim
- Journal article citation:
- British Journal of Social Work, 40(5), July 2010, pp.1609-1627.
- Publisher:
- Oxford University Press
This study examines the practice of Approved Social Workers (ASWs) in adult mental health services in Northern Ireland. It describes how a retrospective audit was used to collect data on eighty-four assessments carried out to determine whether compulsory admission to hospital was needed. Respondents were also asked to consider how such assessments might be affected by proposed changes to the law in this field. Key findings included inconsistencies in how the assessments were recorded and an uneven distribution of workloads across ASWs. Some problems were identified with inter-agency working and, in 25% of assessments, the ASW reported having felt afraid or at risk. The paper makes a number of recommendations including: the use of a standard reporting procedure; that organisations should consider how to deliver a more even distribution of ASW workload; that protocols should be developed that ensure that ASWs are not left alone in potentially risky situations; and that joint assessments with General Practitioners should be required, rather than just recommended.