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    Case management intervention with violent offenders : an action research approach to the development of a practice model : a thesis presented in partial fulfilment of the requirements for the degree of Master of Social Work at Massey University
    (Massey University, 1997) Dale, Michael Philip
    This research is concerned with the relationship between social work theory and social work practice. The practice context for the discussion is intervention with men who have been convicted of violence towards their respective female partner. The agency context is the Community Corrections Service in New Zealand. The central argument surrounds the development of an integrated model of practice, one which combines a valid theoretical base with appropriate practice skills to ensure that service delivery can meet the identified needs of the relevant stakeholders (in this case the agency, practitioners, clients and victims). The introduction frames the issue of domestic violence as a key practice area and identifies concerns regarding current practice in the Community Corrections Service. The importance of using theory based intervention models is noted and the research process is outlined. In Chapter Two the broad Community Correction Practice context is reviewed. The influence of changes in four key areas are considered: Central Government Management; legislation; organisational structure, and Community Corrections Service policies. Discussion also focuses upon the challenge which the changes present to the implementation of a practice model derived from an integrated position. The Integrated Domestic Violence Practice Model (IDVPM) developed as part of this investigation forms the subject of the third chapter, which is presented in three interrelated sections. In the first section the relationship between social work theory and practice is explored and five key debates are considered (the influence of the scientific model, the influence of values, the integration of theory and practice, the utility of eclecticism and the notion of empowerment). A framework for integrated practice is then presented which seeks to define how the substantive issues surrounding the relationship between social work theory and practice can be incorporated into the day to day actions of practitioners in the field. In the final section the IDVPM is presented. This section includes consideration of the three distinct areas of knowledge from which the model has been developed: domestic violence practice theory; a case management perspective; and issues surrounding the assessment of effectiveness. Each stage of the model is outlined and linkages back to the underlying theoretical premises are indicated. Chapter Four contains the research design. First, the theoretical perspective which informs the research methodology is presented. This discussion traverses the positivist and interpretivist research traditions and grounded theory. Second, the field of action research methodology is outlined, including the rationale for the methodology, and issues surrounding its validity are addressed. Finally, the structure of the research process is presented and ethical issues involved in the research are considered. In Chapter Five the data generated through the research are presented and analysed. There follows in Chapter Six a review of the substantive themes which have emerged from the research data. This discussion is presented in three parts. The structure of the IDVPM is considered first, and recommendations for change are made. Next the influence of values upon practice and the concept of empowerment are reflected upon in relation to the research findings. Finally issues surrounding the assessment of effectiveness are re-visited. A concluding comment positions the IDVPM in relation to initial assumptions regarding the nature of case management. The final chapter provides some concluding observations regarding the research process and offers suggestions for future research. The distinctive features and implications of the Probation Officer, client and victim perspectives are also reviewed. Finally comment is made regarding what has been learnt regarding the relationship between theory and practice and the concept of integrated practice.
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    An analysis of the skills and knowledge base for needs assessment and service coordination : a thesis submitted in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree of Master of Social Work, Massey University, Palmerston North, New Zealand
    (Massey University, 2002) Foster, Susan
    This research analysed the skills and knowledge base of the Needs Assessor and Service Coordinator (NASC), a new role created by the Health and Disability Act (1993). The purpose of this role as stated in the Act was to try to ensure that the services offered to the disability community were not only sensitive to their needs, but also appropriate and of acceptable quality (Ministry of Health, 1993). -In the seven years that this role has been in existence, much work has been done by both the Regional Health Authorities (RHAs) and its successor the Health Funding Authority (HF A) in defining acceptable standards for service delivery, (Ministry of Health, 1994) however little research has been carried out to determine what the skill base should consist of to meet those standards. Each region delivers this service differently, and there appears to be enough anecdotal evidence to suggest that there is a wide variation in the standard of service delivered to consumers. The issue of training has largely been met by internal means, rather than through a national qualification. Two focus group meetings were conducted with NASC workers and in-depth interviews were held with six consumers in the 16 to 64 age group. One group of workers provided a service to older people, (over 65 years) and the other group provided a service primarily to the adult population, but did include two assessors who worked with older people (16 to 64, and 65+ ). The questions asked in the workers' groups were to determine what skills they identified as being important to their role, whether their prior training was sufficient for the role, and what training they considered they needed for the role. From the consumers' interviews I asked for their perceptions as to the necessary skills for providing a needs assessment and for coordinating services, and compared the differences between the groups. The data was analysed under five headings, allowing for elucidation of the key findings. These headings were: assessment skills, service coordination skills, concepts of need, user participation, and professional knowledge base. The data showed that assessments by health professionals, (who make up the majority of those employed as NASCs), are client-centred and inclusive, and indicated that the concept of partnership building was understood. However, the data also showed that the more sophisticated skills of conflict management, negotiation with providers and coaching were emerging as the role continued to evolve and develop. It also showed that knowledge based around disability issues was emerging across disciplines. The final discussion considered the role of training in light of these findings.
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    Christian social workers and their sense of effectiveness in social work practice : a thesis submitted in partial fulfilment of the requirements for the degree of Master of Social Work, School of Health and Social Services, Massey University, Albany Campus
    (Massey University, 2010) Hare, Jennifer Lois
    While social work roots are undoubtedly firmly in religious soil, over recent years the emphasis has widened to include a more inclusive definition of spirituality that seeks to mirror the diverse society we now live in. How social work responds to this increasingly complex environment is a matter of concern for social work educators, practitioners and academics, who all share the same aim of developing the most effective ways to deliver services to the client. The evidence-based practice movement is an evolving response, seeking to offer quality research based solutions to be implemented in practice. Missing in the equation to date is the ability to capture the spiritual aspects of practice both for practitioner (in terms of ‘use of self’) and client ( in relation to spiritual assets that assist them). To this end this qualitative study conducted semi-structured interviews with eight Christian practitioners as examples of spiritually motivated social workers. The research sought to explore how a Christian perspective contributed to a sense of effectiveness in social work practice. The findings produced discoveries that concurred with the literature and revealed insights from the participants about the ways in which they sought to practice that were consistent with their most valued beliefs. Using the findings and the literature, practical applications are suggested as a way forward for the inclusion of spiritual aspects in evaluating effective social work practice.