Lived Experiences and Told Stories of Child Protection Social Workers and Asylum-Seeking Families

216 Pages·2014·2.21 MB·English

Making Sense of Each Other:
Lived Experiences and Told Stories of Child
Protection Social Workers and Asylum-Seeking
Families
Colletta Dalikeni
Master of Social Science in Social Work (M.Soc.Sci.)
Submitted for the Degree of
Doctor of Philosophy
School of Sociology, Social Policy and Social Work
Faculty of Arts, Humanities and Social Sciences
Queen’s University, Belfast
May 2013
Contents Page
Dedication ix
Abstract ix
Acknowledgements x
List of Figures xi
List of Tables xii
Abbreviations xiii
CHAPTER ONE: INTRODUCTION 1
Introduction 1
My Professional Journey 5
Research Aims and Questions 6
Research Context and Background to Study 7
Migration as a Global Phenomenon 7
Definitions and Terminology 9
International and National Refugee Law 10
Refugees and Asylum Seekers: The Irish Context 11
FIGURE 6: MAJOR DEVELOPMENTS IN IMMIGRATION AND ASYLUM
POLICY/PROCEDURES (1996-2009) 14
Direct Provision 17
Thesis Outline 19
Intended Contribution of Study 20
CHAPTER TWO: LITERATURE REVIEW 22
Introduction 22
Social Work, the Family and the State 22
CPWSW in Ireland 26
Issues of Care and Control 29
Dilemmas of Care and Control when Working with ASF 33
CPWSW with Families 42
ii
Major Themes Identified: Positive Qualities 45
Major Themes Identified: Negative Qualities 47
Participation and Involvement in the Child Protection Process 47
CPWSW with ASF 50
Theoretical Frameworks Informing CPCWSW with ASF 53
Multiculturalism 53
Ethnocentrism and Cultural Relativism 55
Human Rights and Social Work: Practice Dilemmas 57
Anti-Racist Perspectives 59
Anti-Oppressive and Anti-Discriminatory Practice 60
Anti-Oppressive Practice: Strengths and Limitations 61
Gender and CPWSW 64
Gender and CPWSW with ASF 65
Cultural Competence 68
The Multidimensional Model of Cultural Competence 72
The Live and Learn Model of Cultural Competence 73
ASKED: A Process Model of Cultural Competence 74
The Ecological Model 75
Applying the Ecological Model to Work with ASF 77
Limitations of Existing Literature 78
Conclusion 79
CHAPTER THREE: METHODOLOGY 80
Introduction 80
Study Outline and Research Phases 80
Research Design and Strategy 83
Action Research 86
Action Research Cycles 87
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Sampling and Access 88
Participants 90
Case File Analysis 91
Data Collection 92
Recording and Transcription 95
Data Analysis 96
BNIM Analysis 96
Framework Analysis 98
Familiarisation with Raw Data 100
Indexing 101
Thematic Charts 101
Descriptive Analysis 102
Explanatory Accounts: Associative Analyses 103
Ethical Considerations 103
Informed Consent 105
Confidentiality 106
Access 107
Conclusion 108
CHAPTER FOUR: AN IN-DEPTH BNIM CASE ANALYSIS 109
Introduction 109
Social Worker’s Interview 111
Summary and Discussion 120
Asylum Seeker’s Interview 121
Young Person’s Narrative 122
Justification for Inclusion of Young People’s Testimony 128
Summary and Discussion 129
iv
NOTE: CHAPTERS 5, 6 & 7 ARE CURRENTLY EMBARGOED BY THE AUTHOR
CHAPTER FIVE: FINDINGS FROM SOCIAL WORKERS’ NARRATIVES
Introduction
Theme 1: Trust / Mistrust
Age Assessment
Theme 2: Immigration
Theme 3: Cultural Differences
Communication
Theme 4: Racism
Theme 6: Empathy and the Impact of Personal Experiences on Practice
Theme 7: Training
Theme 8: Interagency Collaboration
Theme 9: Resources
Theme 10: Review of Services for ASF
Conclusion
CHAPTER SIX: FINDINGS FROM FAMILIES’ NARRATIVES ERROR!
BOOKMARK NOT DEFINED.
Introduction
Theme 1: Trust / Mistrust
Theme 2: Immigration
Isolation and Lack of Support Network
The Impact of Direct Provision on Parenting
Direct Provision and the Child Protection System
Deportation
Theme 3: Cultural Differences
Language and Communication
Theme 4: Racism
v
Theme 5: Legal Concerns and Cultural Practices
Theme 6: The Role of the Social Worker
Conclusion
CHAPTER SEVEN: FINDINGS AND PRACTICE IMPLICATIONS ERROR!
BOOKMARK NOT DEFINED.
Introduction
Shared Theme 1: Trust / Mistrust
The Challenge of Age Assessment
Mistrust Due to Lack of Relevant Cultural Knowledge
Mistrust Caused by Families’ Asylum Status
Mistrust Due to Adjustment to New Environment
Summary
Shared Theme 2: Immigration
Direct Provision
Working with Immigration Officials
Deportation
Shared Theme 3: Cultural Issues
Cultural Relativism
Cross-Cultural Communication and CPWSW
Language and Non-Verbal Communication
Communication and the Use of Interpreters
The Need for Cultural Training
Narratives of Racism
Racism, Social Workers and Families
Cross-Cultural Foster Placements: Young People’s Perspective
Cross-Cultural Foster Placements: Parents’/Guardians’ Perspective
Gender
vi
Conclusion
Implications of Findings
The Conceptual Dimensions of Multicultural Social Work Practice
Implications at the Individual Level
Implications at the Organisational Level
Implications for Practice at the Societal Level
Implications for Practice at the Institutional Level
Implications at the Professional Level
Study Limitations
Recommendations for Further Research
CHAPTER EIGHT: CONCLUDING REFLECTIONS 132
The Insider / Outsider Dichotomy 132
Conclusion 138
Appendix A Ethical Approval - Health Service Executive (HSE) 140
Appendix B Ethical Approval - Queen’s University Belfast (QUB) 141
Appendix C Information Sheet for Families 142
Appendix D Information Sheet for Social Workers 144
Appendix E Consent Form for Families 145
Appendix F Consent Forms for Social Workers 147
Appendix G Consent Forms for Social Workers (Consultation Groups) 148
Appendix H Consent Forms for Families (Consultation Groups) 149
Appendix I BNIM SQUIN For Social Workers and Families 150
Appendix J ASF Case File Synopses 151
Appendix K Articles of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights 156
Appendix L Ireland’s Response to Refugees and Asylum Seekers (1935-2004) 157
Appendix M Issues Arising during Consultation Meetings with Social Work Managers, Social Work
Representatives and Family Representatives 158
Appendix N A History of Mistrust: Why and Whom Refugees Mistrust 159
vii
Appendix O A History of Mistrust: Why Refugees Are Mistrusted 161
References 162
viii
To my Mother, and to Sarah, Rumbi and Christine
ix
Abstract
__________________________________________________________
Ireland has become an increasingly multi-cultural society since the mid-1990s,
changing from a country of emigration to one of immigration. In response to this
multiculturalism, the Irish Government embarked on several commendable
initiatives. These changes have yet to be fully recognised within Child Protection
and Child Welfare Services (CPCWS). The development of national guidelines in
recent times has failed to provide adequate guidance for social workers on how to
respond effectively to asylum-seeking families, a relatively new service user group
for community care teams. Much of current Irish research sheds limited light on
how social workers ought to respond to asylum-seeking children and their families
within a child protection context. This study examines the experiences of social
workers and asylum-seeking families. The first of its kind in this field in the Republic
of Ireland, the study design is primarily qualitative with an overall action research
orientation. Research data was collected by use of a Biographical Narrative
Interviewing Method which formed the basis of the broader analysis using
‘Framework Analysis.’ The study highlights the need for appropriate and on-going
culturally competent training for social workers in this area. Its findings illustrate
the complexity of social work practice in this area and indicate the need for a clear
and well-considered basis of recommendations for practice, and a coherent and
focused approach to child protection and welfare work, that not only is centred on
the child but also acknowledges both the cultural setting in which the child was
reared, and the conflicted role of CPWSWs of care and control in mediating
between the State and the family. These suggestions are rooted in the enhanced
model of cultural competence developed from the study’s findings and provide the
basis for future research.
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