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Professionals’ views on children’s service user involvement
- Authors:
- KIILI Johanna, et al
- Journal article citation:
- Journal of Children's Services, 16(2), 2021, pp.145-158.
- Publisher:
- Emerald
Purpose: Children are gradually attaining recognition as service users and their involvement in service development has been advanced in recent years. This study draws on empirical research in social and health-care services designed for children and families. The purpose of this paper is to analyse how professionals understand children’s involvement as experts by experience. The focus is on professionals’ views and intergenerational relations. Design/methodology/approach: The research data comprise 25 individual and 10 group interviews with managers and professionals working in social and health-care services in one Finnish province. The data were analysed using qualitative thematic analysis. Findings: The professionals recognised the value of children’s service user involvement. However, they concentrated more on the challenges than the possibilities it presents. Health-care professionals emphasised parental needs and children’s vulnerability. In turn, the professionals from social services and child welfare non-governmental organisations perceived children as partners, although with reservations, as they discussed ethical issues widely and foregrounded the responsibilities of adults in protecting children. In general, the professionals in both domains saw themselves as having ethical responsibility to support children’s service user involvement while at the same time setting limits to it. Originality/value: This study confirmed the importance of taking intergenerational relations into account when developing children’s service user involvement. The results indicate that professionals also need to reflect on the ethical challenges with children themselves as, largely owing to the generational position of children as minors, they rarely perceive them as partners in ethical reflection. (Edited publisher abstract)
Technical assistance needs for realizing person-centered thinking, planning and practices in United States human service systems
- Authors:
- CROFT Bevin, PETNER-ARREY Jami, HIERSTEINER Dorothy
- Journal article citation:
- Journal of Integrated Care, 29(3), 2021, pp.262-273.
- Publisher:
- Emerald
Purpose: The United States’ National Center on Advancing Person-Centered Practices and Systems provides technical assistance to human service systems on person-centered thinking, planning and practices. To apply for the Center's technical assistance, 33 state human service systems submitted applications and participated in interviews in which they detailed technical assistance needs. This technical paper examines themes that emerged from these technical assistance applications and interviews. These themes offer a view into barriers, obstacles and priorities for human service systems as they work toward more person-centered practices. Common themes point to key areas that, if enhanced, could result in a more person-centered system overall. Design/methodology/approach: The application process generated 33 applications containing technical assistance goals and priorities, summaries of recent and ongoing initiatives to advance person-centered approaches, measurement methods and anticipated challenges. Using thematic analysis, the authors organized the information into seven themes. Findings: Applicants identified seven themes to improve person-centered thinking, planning and practices: Staff Training and Competencies, Participant Engagement, Measurement and Quality Improvement, Cross-System Consistency in Planning and Practice, Payment and Managed Care, Cultural and Linguistic Responsiveness and Other Practice-Related Goals. They also articulated contextual factors that help or hinder systems efforts and a vision for an ideal person-centered system. Originality/value: The themes provide a unique window into human service system administrators' priorities for achieving more person-centered human service systems and the conditions that may promote or hinder systems change. (Edited publisher abstract)
Early help and children’s services: exploring provision and practice across English local authorities
- Authors:
- LUCAS Steven, ARCHARD Philip John
- Journal article citation:
- Journal of Children's Services, 16(1), 2021, pp.74-86.
- Publisher:
- Emerald
Purpose: The purpose of this study was to explore early help provision to children and families not reaching the Children Act (1989) child in need threshold, across all 152 English local authorities in 2017. Design/methodology/approach: A freedom of information request was used, in September 2017, to obtain information regarding recorded numbers, attributes and referral reasons for Early Help cases, case categorisation, professional groups involved in this provision and models of practice. Findings: Responses revealed there are no common protocols categorising referrals and identified needs of children and young people. Child behavioural issues were the most frequently occurring category followed by parenting issues and child emotional well-being. The numbers of children engaged by Early Help services varied with a range between Barnsley with 7.8% of children under 18 years old and Richmond on Thames with 0.33% and only exceeded children in need in a 7 out of 71 reporting authorities. Models of practice used were most commonly based on the assessment framework, which operates at all social work thresholds including child protection. The enquiry found a diverse workforce involved in Early Help and sets it within a context of local thresholds for dealing with large increases in referral rates to children’s services departments in recent years. Originality/value: The study provides a unique insight into the nature and scope of Early Help provision across England. The relationship between existing thresholds of intervention in the child welfare system is underexplored in the social work literature. (Edited publisher abstract)
Adult safeguarding in Sweden’s social services
- Author:
- KJELLBERG Inger
- Journal article citation:
- Journal of Adult Protection, 22(5), 2020, pp.257-267.
- Publisher:
- Emerald
Purpose: The purpose of this paper is twofold: firstly, to describe adult safeguarding in Sweden’s social services, and secondly, to analyse the changes in Sweden’s national policies related to its adult safeguarding legislation and discuss the implications. Design/methodology/approach: An analysis of two government bills was carried out inspired by the What’s the Problem Represented to Be approach. Findings: The background and review procedure that is part of the obligation to report mistreatment in Sweden’s social services is described. The policy analysis shows a change from a rights-based discourse concerning the duty of staff to safeguard vulnerable service recipients’ rights, to a discourse on the obligation for staff to be part of systematic quality assurance. The most conspicuous change in the representation of the problem was attaching the problem descriptions to a lack of quality instead of a duty to protect. Social implications: The implications of the reporting procedure are discussed in terms of a general lack of channels for service recipients and their family members to raise their own concerns about mistreatment. It is suggested that there ought to be more legal and transparent channels for service recipients and their family members to file complaints. Originality/value: This paper provides an overview of adult safeguarding in Sweden’s social services, which to date has been lacking in the literature. (Edited publisher abstract)
Transitioning from child to adult mental health services: what role for social services? Insights from a European survey
- Authors:
- SIGNORINI Giulia, et al
- Journal article citation:
- Journal of Children's Services, 15(3), 2020, pp.89-108.
- Publisher:
- Emerald
Purpose: Young people transitioning from child to adult mental health services are frequently also known to social services, but the role of such services in this study and their interplay with mental healthcare system lacks evidence in the European panorama. This study aims to gather information on the characteristics and the involvement of social services supporting young people approaching transition. Design/methodology/approach: A survey of 16 European Union countries was conducted. Country respondents, representing social services’ point of view, completed an ad hoc questionnaire. Information sought included details on social service availability and the characteristics of their interplay with mental health services. Findings: Service availability ranges from a low of 3/100,000 social workers working with young people of transition age in Spain to a high 500/100,000 social workers in Poland, with heterogeneous involvement in youth health care. Community-based residential facilities and services for youth under custodial measures were the most commonly type of social service involved. In 80% of the surveyed countries, youth protection from abuse/neglect is overall regulated by national protocols or written agreements between mental health and social services, with the exception of Czech Republic and Greece, where poor or no protocols apply. Lack of connection between child and adult mental health services has been identified as the major obstacles to transition (93.8%), together with insufficient involvement of stakeholders throughout the process. Research imitations/implications: Marked heterogeneity across countries may suggest weaknesses in youth mental health policy-making at the European level. Greater inclusion of relevant stakeholders is needed to inform the development and implementation of person-centered health-care models. Disconnection between child and adult mental health services is widely recognized in the social services arena as the major barrier faced by young service users in transition; this “outside” perspective provides further support for an urgent re-configuration of services and the need to address unaligned working practices and service cultures. Originality/value: This is the first survey gathering information on social service provision at the time of mental health services transition at a European level; its findings may help to inform services to offer a better coordinated social health care for young people with mental health disorders. (Edited publisher abstract)
Facing the fear: resilience and social support in veterans and civilians with PTSD
- Authors:
- WALL Charlotte Louise, LOWE Michelle
- Journal article citation:
- Journal of Aggression Conflict and Peace Research, 12(2), 2020, pp.75-85.
- Publisher:
- Emerald
Purpose: This study aims to investigate the effects of resilience and social support on post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) in a sample of 121 veterans (n = 56) and civilians (n = 65). Design/methodology/approach: Gender, age and marital status were collected, along with occupation for civilians and the unit served with, rank, length of time deployed, overall months active and location for veterans. The trauma experiences scale for civilians, the PTSD checklist for civilian and military, Resilience Research Centre’s Adult Resilience Measure-28, Multidimensional Scale of Perceived Social Support and the Deployment Risk and Resiliency Inventory-2 scales were used. Findings: The results revealed for both samples, resilience and social support (except unit support for veterans) impacted PTSD symptoms. However, social support did not mediate the relationship between resilience and PTSD. Practical implications: Implications for policy and practice were discussed. Originality/value: The originality of this research stems from the incorporation of both a civilian and military sample by comparing their levels of PTSD, resilience and social support. (Edited publisher abstract)
Case definition for health and social care services integrated initiatives
- Authors:
- CHENG Siu Mee, CATALLO Cristina
- Journal article citation:
- Journal of Integrated Care, 27(4), 2019, pp.264-275.
- Publisher:
- Emerald
Purpose: The purpose of this paper is to develop a case definition of integrated health and social services initiatives that serve older adults, and will provide characteristics to aid in the identification of such initiatives. The case definition is intended to ease the identification of integrated health and social care initiatives. Design/methodology/approach: A limited search was undertaken of both scientific and grey literature that documented and/or examined integrated health and social services initiatives. In addition, literature on well-documented and generally accepted integrated healthcare and social services models that reflect collaborations from healthcare and social services organizations that support older adults was also used to develop the case definition. Findings:The case definition is as follows: healthcare organizations from across the continuum of care working together with social services organizations, so that services are complementary and coordinated in a seamless and unified system, with care continuity for the patient/client in order to achieve desired health outcomes within a holistic perspective; the initiatives comprise at least one healthcare organization and one social care organization; and these initiatives possess 18 characteristics, grouped under 9 themes: patient care approach; program goals; measurement; service and care quality; accountability and responsibility; information sharing; culture; leadership; and staff and professional interaction. Research limitations/implications: A limitation of this study is that the characteristics are based on a limited literature search. The quality of some of the literature both grey and published was not definitive: information on how they undertook the literature search was not provided; exclusion and inclusion criteria were not included; and there was insufficient detail on the design of the studies included. Furthermore, the literature reviews are based on integrated initiatives that target both seniors and non-senior’s based services. The cross-section of initiatives studied is also different in scale and type, and these differences were not explored. Practical implications: The case definition is a useful tool in aiding to further the understanding of integrated health and social care initiatives. The number of definitions that exist for integrated health and social care initiatives can make it confusing to clearly understand this field and topic. The characteristics identified can assist in providing greater clarity and understanding on health and social care integration. Originality/value: This study provides greater coherence in the literature on health and social care integration. It aids in better framing the phenomenon of healthcare and social services integration, thereby enhancing understanding. Finally, the study provides a very useful and concrete list of identifying characteristics, to aid in identifying integrated health and social care initiatives that serve older adults. (Edited publisher abstract)
Perception of integrated practice in home care services
- Authors:
- GUDNADOTTIR Margret, BJORNSDOTTIR Kristin, JONSDOTTIR Sigridur
- Journal article citation:
- Journal of Integrated Care, 27(1), 2019, pp.73-82.
- Publisher:
- Emerald
Purpose: As a result of demographic changes, older people are increasingly living at home, with multi-morbidity and complex care needs. This calls for enhanced integration of homecare nursing and social services. The purpose of this paper is to describe the clinical collaboration, scope and impact of integration from the perspective of staff in a setting identified as fully integrated. Design/methodology/approach: In this qualitative study, data consisted of interviews with managers and care workers in social services and homecare nursing (n=14) in daily clinical collaboration, followed by five focus group discussions (n=28). Data were analysed using framework analysis. Findings: Although the homecare services studied were ostensibly fully integrated, the study showed that the process of integration was incomplete. Interdisciplinary coordination between nursing and social services team managers was described as strong and efficient, but weaknesses were identified in collaboration between care workers. They lacked acquaintance with one another, opportunities for communication and knowledge of the contribution of members of other teams. They felt unclear about their own role in coordinated teamwork and lacked a shared vision. Originality/value: This paper’s originality lies in the model of integrated care studied and its focus on actual care practices. The findings highlight that integration does not automatically permeate between different levels of service. Time and space must be allowed for conversations between health and social service teams to promote integration. (Edited publisher abstract)
Australia’s National Disability Insurance Scheme: a collaboration opportunity for academia and industry
- Authors:
- MASON Jonathan, et al
- Journal article citation:
- Tizard Learning Disability Review, 23(3), 2018, pp.139-146.
- Publisher:
- Emerald
Purpose: The purpose of this paper is to summarise the initial experiences of Australia’s National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS). It highlights some of the main challenges being faced by participants, service providers and government, and demonstrates how research can contribute to the ongoing implementation and success of the scheme. Design/methodology/approach: The historical basis for the need for a new approach to disability funding in Australia is explored. The opportunities that exist and the difficulties that are being encountered by those entering and working within the new scheme are discussed. Findings: Several problems were identified including difficult transitions between existing support frameworks to new “NDIS plans”, and the risk of market failure. Both the problems and their solutions are discussed and it is hoped that collaboration between the Commonwealth Government, service users, their families, service providers and universities can lead to a number of lasting improvements. Practical implications: The new funding framework provides exciting opportunities for increasing the funding of people with intellectual and physical disabilities in Australia. Developments in technology, service provision in rural and remote areas and the opportunity to meet aspirational life goals exist alongside a number of challenges, including the need to ensure that those with multiple and complex disabilities retain existing levels of support. Originality/value: The implementation of the NDIS is still underway, and opportunities exist to implement changes to the scheme where required. Research findings have an important role to play in the national debate regarding how best to improve quality of life for people with a disability in Australia. (Edited publisher abstract)
Service provider perspectives on a focused deterrence program
- Authors:
- SCHNOBRICH-DAVIS Julie, GARDNER Desiree
- Journal article citation:
- Safer Communities, 17(3), 2018, pp.133-144.
- Publisher:
- Emerald
Purpose: The purpose of this paper is to gain the perspectives from social service providers that are a key component in focused deterrence programs. All focused deterrence/pulling levers programs have at least two essential elements: first, the message to the target population that reoffending will be met with swift and certain punishment, and second that social service providers are available to assist in their transition to a law-abiding lifestyle. Design/methodology/approach: A case study approach was used to gather qualitative data with open-ended interviews of social service providers that participated in Operation RASOR, a modified focused deterrence initiative that identified cross-jurisdictional, chronic offenders across three cities in New England. Findings: The results showed that many providers were unable, and sometimes unwilling, to participate in the strategy due to their lack of awareness of what focused deterrence strategies encompass, participant eligibility restrictions, and lack of funding. These findings may impact the success of focused deterrence programs. Research limitations/implications: Future research should include a larger sample from programs operating in different cities. The importance of the social services component of focused deterrence strategies and their capability of serving clients within those programs needs further examination for the integrity of these programs to adequately serve the participants. Originality/value: The perceptions from social service providers on the program elements and ability to provide necessary services to the targeted offenders have never been examined. This study aids in expanding the literature on focused deterrence programs. It can also inform law enforcement agencies on the services that are most needed by the target population and the importance of coordinating their initiatives with service providers. (Edited publisher abstract)