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Theme 2 : The transfer of knowledge to field of practice.

Knowledge Exchange Forum

November 2014

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PRESENTATION AGENDA

1. The transferability of social work

2. Study findings:

8 themes emerged regarding the transfer of knowledge in field of practice

3. Questions and discussion

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The transfer of knowledge to field of practice

• Social work is rooted in internationally transferable principles (International Federation of Social Workers, 2012)

• There is consensus around key issues (Pullen Sansfacon, Spolander & Englebrencht, 2011) and the roles and tasks of social work (Lyon, 2006)

• These parameters cannot ensure a standard of practice and training on the international level (Weiss-Gal; Welbourne, 2008; Spolander, 2011)

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The transfer of knowledge to field of practice

• Social work practice is greatly influenced by the local context (Mayer, 2002 ; Blewett et al, 2007 ; Horner, 2009; Fouché and Beddoe, 2012)

• Heterogeneity of the profession may affect the transferability of practice (Fouché, Beddoe, Bartley, & Brenton, 2013)

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Presentation of results

• Semi-structured interviews• 3 case studies• The transfer of knowledge: an essential element in

the process of professional adaptation• Some learnings transferred better than others • Non-dichotomous

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Presentation of results

• 8 themes emerged on the question of transfer of knowledge:

1. Principles and values of social work2. Theoretical knowledge3. Clinical skills 4. Professional experience5. Language6. Social problems7. Practice context8. Socio-political context

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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.

(Czech Republic) « I think they are very similar to what is here, it’s all about the client rights, the patient, the dignity, every human being’s unique, every person has unique needs, the respect, confidentiality »

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Principles and values of social work

• An exception: Confidentiality

(Romania) «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 wasn’t always respected and signing consent forms and signing release forms it wasn’t really, really the practice everywhere. So this is what I really had to acknowledge that things are different here »

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Principles and values of social work

• Ability to put values aside when the practice context is not conducive to accommodation.

(Lebanon) « 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, it’s like, I can’t say, ‘oh, I went to Mass’. »

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Principles and values of social work

• Stability of values across the migration process

(France) « My values stayed the same, they didn’t change. We aren’t, in any case I’m not a social worker for nothing. My values haven’t changed, my values of listening, respect, equality, they don’t change, it’s the foundation. In France or elsewhere. »

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Principles and values of social work

• Changing values in the Canadian context

(Colombia)« Yes, I think that my values could be stronger today than they were before » 

(France) « I don’t understand how we reached the point where health services take so long to access. Because for me, it’s really important. That’s what has shocked me, truly. For me, health, education, those aren’t commodities. »

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Theoretical knowledge

• Theoretical knowledge is transferable although the academic curriculum varies from one country to another.

(United Kingdom) “ The fact that I come from anywhere doesn’t necessarily impact on the relationship. It has to do with it being client-focused. So, that, I think means that’s why it’s transferable”

• Heterogeneity of social work and theoretical models. Adjustments can be expected.

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Clinical skills

• A significant transferable element

(France) « The knowledge 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, it’s the same as it was in France, there’s no difference in my process. »

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Professional experiences

• Professional experiences have significant transferability from one practice context to another.

• Results are similar even when the population served is different from the population in the country of origin

(Romania) «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. »

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Professional experiences

• A diversity of experiences facilitate the transfer of knowledge.

(Spain) « This 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. »

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Language

• An element which brings challenges to transferability.

• There are different challenges for Francophones, Anglophones and Allophones.

• In Québec, the necessity of bilingualism can be a surprise for im(migrant) social workers.

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Social problems

• The universality of social problems

(France) « 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. »

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Social problems

• Social norms and practices are influenced by the cultural context of the country of origin

(Lebanon) « Working with blended families, working with families with shared custody, this work doesn’t exist in Lebanon »

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Practice context

• Laws• Rules and procedures• Social policies• Ways of working together

(Spain) «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, that’s a huge challenge, it’s difficult. »

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Practice context

• The role of social workers varies from one country to another.

(France) « Case manager. I never was a case manager, an interventionist before I was in Canada. That term doesn’t exist in France, we are social workers in France, we are not secretaries, cooks, dentists, nurses to take people to appointments »

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Socio-political context

• The socio-political context has a significant influence on the practice of social work.

(California, USA) « Yes, the system is truly different here, it’s a socialist system and everyone has the same services, the same rights. That’s 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 they’re somebody who has a lot of money. »

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Is social work transferable?

• Yes!• However, there gaps due to context: - Laws - Social policies

- Organizational structure - Local resources - Cultural references, linguistics, and history

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References

• Blewett, J., Lewis, J. & Tunstill, J. (2007). The changing roles and tasks of social work: A literature informed discussion paper. London: General Social Care Council.

• Lyons, K., & Huegler, N. (2012). International Labour Mobility in Social Work. In L. Healy & R. Link (Eds.), Handbook on International Social Work. New York: Oxford University Press.

• Mayer, R. (2002). Évolution des pratiques en service social. Boucherville: Gaëtan Morin.

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References

• Horner, N (2009). What is social work? (3rd Ed.) Exeter: Learning Matters.

• Pullen-Sansfaçon, A., Spolander, G., & Engelbrecht, L. (2011). Migration of Professional Social Workers: Reflections on Challenges and Strategies for Education. Social Work Education, iFirst Article, 1-14.

• Lyons, K. (2006) ‘Globalization and Social Work: International and Local Implications’, British Journal of Social Work 36: 365–80.

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Questions and discussion