The role of critical social work education in improving ethical practice with refugees and asylum seekers

ABSTRACT

This paper uses critical reflection as its primary methodology to research one Master of Social Work student’s former practice experiences as an Australian immigration officer. The paper contextualizes the study by offering a critical analysis of hegemonic constructions of asylum seekers in Australia, which are reflected in Australian law and policy, as well as potentially influencing social work practice. Critical reflection on one of the author’s practice provides a rich case study that reveals the tensions of government-employed social workers in restrictive environments, and the espoused social justice values of the profession. The findings hold implications for both social work education and practice, suggesting that critical social work education, and in particular, the use of critical analysis and reflection, can improve ethical practice with refugees and asylum seekers.

KEYWORDS:

• Asylum seekers
• critical social work
• critical reflection
• social work education

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the authors.

Additional information

Notes on contributors

Christine Morley

Christine Morley is Professor and Head of Social Work and Human Services, in the School of Public Health and Social Work at Queensland University of Technology (QUT). She is passionate about the role of social work education in promoting transformative learning that facilitates the development of critical social work practitioners.

Candice Le

Candice Le is a ParentsNext Consultant, R Multicultural Development Australia, Toowoomba, Queensland, Australia. She completed her Master of Social Work (Qualifying) degree at QUT as an international student from Vietnam.

Linda Briskman

Linda Briskman holds the Margaret Whitlam Chair of Social Work at Western Sydney University. As a human rights activist, she conducts research and writes on the topics of asylum seeker rights, Indigenous rights and challenging Islamophobia.