From Tenuous to Tenacious: Social Justice Practice in Child Welfare

ABSTRACT

This qualitative study explores the relationship between social workers’ understanding of their professional obligation to work for social justice and their practice as child welfare workers. Twenty-five social workers with at least six months front line child welfare experience, from two Canadian provinces, were interviewed. Findings suggest that experienced workers were best able to link their understanding of social justice with their practice. In contrast novice workers, preoccupied with understanding and adhering to policy and procedures, were less able. Implications are discussed and suggestions made for better supporting new workers in aligning child welfare practice with social work’s social justice mission.

KEYWORDS:

• Social justice
• child welfare practice
• novice
• decision-making
• social work practice

Additional information

Notes on contributors

Anne Marie McLaughlin

Anne-Marie McLaughlin, PhD, RSW, is Associate Professor with the Faculty of Social Work, University of Calgary. Her current research interest is in the translation of social work values into practice.

Erin Gray

Erin Gray, PhD, is Associate Professor in the School of Social Work at MacEwan University in Edmonton, Alberta. Her research focuses on using qualitative methods and program evaluative approaches to explore vulnerable persons‘ experiences of receiving health and social services.

Maureen G. Wilson

Maureen G. Wilson, PhD, has a special interest in popular and civil society responses to the human and environmental impacts of neoliberalism. Professor Emerita of Social Work at the University of Calgary, she has worked with development projects in several Latin American countries, as well as engaging in collaborative research with activist groups on the effectiveness of their work.