1. 1. Theme 2: Transfer of knowledges to fields of practice Stephanie Ethier, Annie Pullen-Sansfacon, Marion Brown & Kate Matheson Knowledge Exchange Forum November 2014 1
2. 2. OVERVIEW The transferability of social work Study findings: 8 themes regarding the transfer of knowledge to practice Questions for discussion 2
3. 3. Knowledge Transfer: A Tension There are Global Standards published jointly by the International Federation of Social Work and International Association of Schools of Social Work. Purpose is to establish a foundation of internationally transferable knowledges, principles, and ethics In the practice domain, there is general international consensus around key issues and the roles and tasks of social work however Documents (ideals?) cannot ensure uniformity of practice and education across the world, and Social work practice is greatly influenced by the local context 3
4. 4. Research Results Transfer of knowledge: an essential element in the process of professional adaptation on a continuum from: less easily transferred---------to--------more easily transferred participants varied widely in their experiences of transferability of knowledge 4
5. 5. Presentation of results 8 themes emerged on the question of transfer of knowledge: 1. Principles and values of social work 2. Theoretical knowledge 3. Clinical skills 4. Professional experience 5. Language 6. Social issues 7. Practice context 8. Socio-political context 5
6. 6. Principles and values of social work Universality of values: The participants noted a similarity between social work values in Canada and in their country of origin. I think they are very similar to what is here, its all about the client rights, the patient, the dignity, every human beings unique, every person has unique needs, the respect, confidentiality. (Czech Republic) A person suffering is still a person who is suffering and needs to be listened to actively . And active listening I learned in France. (France) 6
7. 7. Principles and values of social work An exception: Confidentiality I know that confidentiality is a huge, huge issue here and it is really, really respected. We definitely learn that everything we do is confidential but in my country it wasnt always respected and signing consent forms and signing release forms it wasnt really, really the practice everywhere. So this is what I really had to acknowledge that things are different here. (Romania) 7
8. 8. Principles and values of social work Another sort of exception: the ability to put values aside when the practice context is not conducive to accommodation. My religious values, I cannot talk about them at all. We can be easily judged. Because I am Catholic and I am a practicing believer. When we talk about the weekend, on Monday morning, its like, I cant say, oh, I went to Mass. (Lebanon) 8
9. 9. Principles and values of social work Stability of values across the migration process My values stayed the same, they didnt change. Im not a social worker for nothing. My values havent changed, my values of listening, respect, equality, they dont change, its the foundation. In France or elsewhere. (France) 9
10. 10. Principles and values of social work Challenges to values in the Canadian context I dont understand how we reached the point where health services take so long to access. Because for me, its really important. Thats what has shocked me, truly. For me, health, education, those arent commodities. (France) 10
11. 11. Theoretical knowledge Theoretical knowledge is seen as transferable although curricula vary from one country to another. This example speaks to theory into practice: The fact that I come from anywhere doesnt necessarily impact on the relationship. It has to do with it being client-focused. So, that, I think means thats why its transferable (England) 11
12. 12. Clinical skills A significant transferable element: The [clinical skills] I gained in France helps me all the time. My professional demeanor, the way I approach an interview, the way I conduct interviews, my way of reflecting and analysing situations, its the same as it was in France, theres no difference in my process. (France) 12
13. 13. Professional Experiences Professional experiences have significant transferability from one practice context to another. The fact that I already worked with a clientele in Romania that was similar, we call them gypsies. I found that helped me here, like the practical skills, those skills helped me transition during that time. (Romania) 13
14. 14. Professional Experiences A diversity of experiences facilitate the transfer of knowledge: [my work in various fields of practice] meant that I was able to work well with clients who had immigrated, or abused women, or with persons with HIV. I had experience in many areas, in my profession this meant that I was willing to work with a new group of clients, I was completely unafraid. (Spain) 14
15. 15. Professional Experiences The capacity to transfer knowledge may be related to social work experience prior to immigration: those who seem to have more difficulty in transferring knowledge were those who had little or no experience of working in the country of origin. I havent really brought anything from the UK to my practice here, sad to say, I havent. I dont really feel that I had the experience in the UK to be able to. (England) 15
16. 16. Language A factor which brings specific challenge to transferability of knowledge, skills and approaches. In Qubec, the necessity of bilingualism can be a surprise for internationally educated social workers. There are different challenges depending on language of origin. However, as social work is largely a talking profession language proficiency is a key point in adaptation 16
17. 17. the main thing is the language, and thats something I wasnt confident in, I didnt trust myself, I couldnt do it language-wise and I still dont trust myself too much, because you know you are trying to my job is 90% talking to people, clients and patients and families and although now Im already in, Im thinking in English language, but still like, I know I could, even now I could express myself much better in Czech language than in English, so theyre actually, the words are missing, still a struggle so, but I must say the transition itself it wasnt too scary or it wasnt such a big deal. It was more the language thing. (Czech Republic) 17
18. 18. Social Issues Even in popular consciousness, there is a sense of universality of social issues: There are things in common. I mean, a divorcee, a single mother, who loses employment, who has difficulty with her children, who has a health problem. There are the same problems here as there are in France. (France) 18
19. 19. Social Issues Social issues and specific practices are influenced by the cultural context of the country of origin: Working with blended families, working with families with shared custody, this work doesnt exist in Lebanon. (Lebanon) 19
20. 20. Practice Context Laws Rules and procedures Social norms Ways of working together You have your expertise and your way of doing things, but it is a system that is already in place and you have to adapt, so you have to learn about the system and get your head around it. Thats a huge challenge, its difficult. (Spain) 20
21. 21. Practice context The role of social workers varies from one country to another. I never was a case manager before I was in Canada. That term doesnt exist in France, we are social workers in France, we are not secretaries, cooks, dentists, nurses to take people to appointments. (France) 21
22. 22. Socio-political context The socio-political context has a significant influence on the practice of social work: Yes, the system is truly different here, its a socialist system and everyone has the same services, the same rights. Thats really different from what I am used to, like when I worked in the schools with someone, those families are truly in poverty. But here when I work with someone at school, maybe theyre somebody who has a lot of money. (USA) 22
23. 23. This person makes a clear distinction between knowledge transfer and context of practice: Knowledge can be transferred. Environments are different in the sense that here there are a lot more economic resources, assistance available for families, for clients. In Colombia we have to work or we are helpless. But if it remains that it is the human touch that makes the person much beyond the resources. In Colombia all we can do is just accompany the person and it feels better; here we accompany the person and give resources. But there we had no resources for the most part; we had just accompaniment, just listening. There isnt much we can give them economically or materially. (Colombia) 23
24. 24. 24 We leave you with the question: To what extent is social work transferable? Values Ethics Knowledges Approaches Practices Contexts