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    Social work encounters of the first kind : child protection social workers' experiences of preparing for, and meeting their clients for the first time : a thesis presented in partial fulfilment of the requirements for the degree of Master of Social Work at Massey University, Manawatu, New Zealand
    (Massey University, 2019) Bowden, Sandra Eva
    This research investigates the experiences of child protection social workers as they prepare to meet the client families they work with for the first time. It is important to understand the experiences of social workers in child protection as first contact with clients is a critical time and the experience lays the foundation for any ongoing relationship. The study speaks to social workers experiences on the “front line” and adds to the body of knowledge evolving in the home visiting space. The study applied a qualitative framework and employed semi-structured interviews to gather rich, descriptive data of social worker experience. The results found that child protection social workers practice in an environment constructed as a neoliberal process that positions risk and mitigating risk as sacrosanct ahead of welfare or supporting families in need. This construction pervades the first contact space and constrains a social work process. Recommendations call for the reconstruction of first contact in child protection as a critically reflexive process that is relationship focussed and accounts for structural inequalities.
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    Social workers' perspectives : how can children and young people who have had contact with both Care and Protection and Mental Health Services be supported to experience positive outcomes? : a thesis presented in partial fulfilment of the requirements for the degree of Master of Social Work at Massey University, Manawatu, New Zealand
    (Massey University, 2018) Mounter, Jessica
    This thesis explored social workers’ perspectives on how children and young people who have had contact with both care and protection and mental health services can be supported to experience positive outcomes. Through thematically analysing semi-structured interviews conducted with social workers, it examined the barriers to positive outcomes and the ways in which social workers are able to utilise practice approaches which can make a positive difference in the lives of children and young people. A particular focus was given to the ways that neoliberal beliefs shaped the policy environment that governed social work practice under the Fifth National-led Coalition Government between 2008 and 2017. The thesis found that, even in this environment, social workers were able to choose to practice according to social work approaches that make a difference; particularly strength-based practice, child centred practice, focusing on family, and collaboration. The findings of this thesis imply that social workers can make a difference regardless of the policies that govern them. However, barriers and gaps in services cannot be overcome by social work practice alone and need attention from policy makers. In particular, effective intervention for complex trauma that takes into account the long developmental course that trauma related difficulties take and involves both clinical and family-based interventions needs to be prioritised by policy makers.
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    The exploitation of children as soldiers in the Philippines : an analysis of issues and challenges in social work practice : a thesis submitted in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree of Master of Social Work at Massey University, Albany, New Zealand
    (Massey University, 2006) De Ocampo, Ma. Irene Ordoña
    This study aims to explore and analyze how social workers directly working with child soldiers perceive the child soldier phenomenon in the Philippines. Specifically, it aims to come up with a picture of the child soldier phenomenon in the country, analyze the various factors or conditions contributory to the participation of children in armed conflict, explore the issues and challenges the child soldier phenomenon poses in social work practice and draw lessons or insights that can contribute to the improvement of current social work practice. This qualitative study used personal interview and instrumental case study methods in data gathering. Selected regional social workers of the government's welfare department, who have handled cases of children involved in armed conflict, served as the main source of information. They were selected through purposive sampling. Likewise, instrumental case study method was used to strengthen and enrich the data gathered using 31 selected case files of child soldiers. The information was analyzed using an ecological and structural framework. This research has shown that the child soldier phenomenon in the country is multidimensional and connected with various factors internal and external to the child. The existence of the phenomenon could not be attributed solely to a single factor but rather to combination of factors in the child's environment, which serve as a cumulative force that pushes the child to participate in the armed group. This study put forth the need for a multifaceted approach in social work practice with child soldier where all systems - micro, meso, exo, macro - in the child's immediate and distant environment are considered in the entire helping process. Likewise, it stressed the need for social work actions that provides not only immediate relief to individual child and her/his family, but also longer-term solutions that targets oppressive and unjust institutional and structural order in the society. It affirmed the importance of transformative social work practice where interventions go beyond mere palliative care and the importance of reflective practice where reflection-in-action is integral to the performance of social work profession.
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    Experts in uncertainty : social work in child protection : a thesis presented in partial fulfillment of the requirements of the degree of Master of Social Work at Massey University
    (Massey University, 2008) Pakura, Shannon
    This research examines what motivates child protection social workers and the factors which support them to continue practicing in New Zealand's statutory agency, Child Youth and Family. Child welfare services are under stress with increasing workloads. The work is difficult and the hours are long. Workers manage ambiguity, uncertainty and they make judgments that no other agency or professional is called upon to make, within a system that requires them to constantly reassess priorities and Attracting and retaining workers in the child protection field of practice is a priority for Child Youth and Family. The thesis examines the motivating factors which encourage a social worker to remain practicing in the statutory child protection field. Understanding and strengthening these factors may assist New Zealand's statutory child protection agency; Child Youth and Family to increase the capability, capacity and experience of its professional workforce. Two methods were used to gather information for this study; in-depth individual interviews and a focus group. An inductive approach Was used to identify common themes and challenges. The key findings of the research showed that the quality of supervision and the relationships with one's supervisor and other professionals are critical. Self-care is a priority for the individual and operational policies must be clear, concise and accessible. Business and social work values guide the leadership of the statutory child welfare organisation. Workloads need to be manageable. Services to Maori require re-investment. A culture of acknowledging and celebrating the achievements of the agency and its staff should be infused through out the organisation and the general public made aware of the efforts and hard work of these professionals. The findings have identified that the needs of statutory child protection social workers are modest. Providing the systems that help sustain them in their role and ensuring the support mechanisms are operating will assist Child Youth and Family to recruit and retain a competent, experienced and resilient workforce to support and provide services to New Zealand children and their families.
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    A job full of conflicts : the experience of women child protection social workers in New Zealand : a thesis submitted in partial fulfillment of the requirements for degree of Master of Social Work
    (Massey University, 1997) Hunter, Marnie
    This qualitative study researched the experiences of ten women who worked as care and protection social workers in the Children, Young Persons and Their Families Service in New Zealand. Although there is an extensive literature on social work theory and practice, little has been recorded internationally or in New Zealand about the experiences of women social workers throughout the span of their working lives. This thesis sought to redress that imbalance. The participants had a minimum of three years and a combined total of eighty three years, working in the agency. They were interviewed about their general work experiences, the way they practised social work, the effects of the work on them, the influence of feminist ideas on their work and about identifying as lesbian or as heterosexual in their workplaces. The participants' general work experiences were analysed within the framework of a theory about women's career choice and work behaviour. Their social work practice was analysed against a number of sets of practice principles in the feminist social work literature. A chapter was devoted to exploring the experiences of lesbian social workers. The participants found their work satisfying and challenging but also stressful. This stress was greatly compounded by changes to the organisation's management practices which had arisen from the State sector reforms. These had generated an environment in which it was impossible to practise social work thoroughly and safely. The social workers' enthusiasm and hope was being sapped by the organisation's obsession with outputs, administration, and data collection. Guidelines for the future of statutory child protection services in New Zealand were developed, based on the participants' experiences.