Transformative practice: social work practice with vulnerable young people

ABSTRACT

Social workers across the globe are being challenged to provide meaningful support to young people who face multiple challenges. Drawing on the findings of a longitudinal study of vulnerable young people’s transitions to adulthood, this article explores the key elements of effective social work practice with vulnerable young people. The young people (aged between 12 and 17 at the first interview) had experienced chronic exposure to adversity from an early age (violence, poverty, addictions, mental health issues and exclusion from school). They were clients of statutory and non-governmental services: child welfare, youth justice, remedial education, and mental health services. This article draws on the qualitative phase of the study (n = 107); young people and a trusted other participated in three annual qualitative interviews. Interviews focused on young people’s experiences of services, transitions, relationships, and the strategies they used to locate resources and support. The article presents young people’s perspectives on services and support and identifies the elements that constitute practice which can be transformative for young people. Central to this practice are relational social work practices which underline the significance of authentic and respectful helping partnerships in realising positive change and futures for vulnerable young people.

KEYWORDS:

• Young people
• vulnerable
• transformative practice
• relational approaches
• critical practice

Acknowledgements

Thank you to the young people and their trusted other for their participation in the research. We acknowledge the contribution of the Donald Beasley Institute, Kapiti Youth Support (KYS), Youthline and the other organisations and people who helped with this research.

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the authors.

Additional information

Funding

We thank the Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment (MBIE) for funding this research.

Notes on contributors

Robyn Munford

Robyn Munford is a Professor of Social Work in the School of Social Work at Massey University, New Zealand. She co-leads the Pathways to Resilience and Successful Youth Transitions research programmes which examine patterns of risk and resilience in the lives of vulnerable young people and the ways in which formal and informal systems of support facilitate positive development.

Jackie Sanders

Jackie Sanders is the Professor of Children’s and Youth Studies in the School of Social Work at Massey University, New Zealand. She co-leads the Pathways to Resilience and Successful Youth Transitions research programmes which examine patterns of risk and resilience in the lives of vulnerable young people and the ways in which formal and informal systems of support facilitate positive development.