| Author: | Tang, Kwok-wing |
| Title: | A study of the professional input in children and youth centre service :a case study of a non-governmental organization in Hong Kong |
| Degree: | M.A. |
| Year: | 1996 |
| Subject: | Social workers -- China -- Hong Kong Social service -- China -- Hong Kong -- Case studies Hong Kong Polytechnic University -- Dissertations |
| Department: | Department of Applied Social Studies |
| Pages: | vi, 101 leaves ; 30 cm |
| Language: | English |
| Abstract: | The research aimed at examining the efforts made by social work practitioners in the improvement of professional practice of Children and Youth Centre Service. Two specific objectives were proposed. Firstly, it intended to understand social workers' conceptions of professional input in social work practice of the Children and Youth Centre Service in the selected agency. Secondly, it intended to understand their social work practice with professional input in the Children and Youth Centre Service of the selected agency. During the research process, the third objective was identified as well. It intended to identify the factors that may affect social workers' professional input in the Children and Youth Centre Service of the selected agency. Eight social workers from the Children and Youth Centre-based Service of Hong Kong Christian Service consented to participate in this study. All subjects were interviewed according to an interview guide along pre-determined standardized but open-ended questions . From the data of the study, the social workers being interviewed deemed that theory and skills, or specific knowledge was inevitably a necessary component in professional practice. In regard to the respondents' meaning of professional social work practice, it was quite similar with the definition of professional input in the study. The components of professional input composed of social work values, social work basic knowledge, social work skills, and social work practice theory. In the study, three dimensions of professional input including application,. promotion and development were measured. The results indicated that the respondents did demonstrate their efforts in professional input. For examples, the use of social work basic knowledge such as Groupwork Theory and Skills; social work practice theory such as Behavioural Therapy, Transactional Analysis, Social Skills Training, Rational-emotive Therapy etc.; social work skills such as assessing skills, listening skills, empathy etc.; social work values such as respect for clients' needs, keeping confidentiality, persisting to help clients change etc. were illustrative examples. Besides of application of professional input, respondents also had experiences in promotion. They had regular sharing and inter-change of ideas, knowledge, and skills etc. among social workers. From the information of interviews, it was found that many of them enjoyed and attained insights among colleagues. In regard to the development of professional input, the researcher found that most of the social workers felt that they were at the initial stage of professional practice and did not show great confidence in this dimension. Nevertheless, there was an exceptional case who illustrated good experience in the contribution to indigenization work by trying some adaptations of the practice guidelines in the Social Skills Training and Assertiveness Training locally. In fact, it was really a difficult task at the moment. The social work field was making efforts in the development of professional input in terms of teaching and practice. Some factors affecting the professional input were identified. In regard to personal factors, social workers' attitude to professionalism in social work practice was observed. They took initiative themselves in trying to integrate theories into practice for better service quality. Moreover, social workers' familiarity of the concerned knowledge also affected the utility in their daily practice. For environmental factors, the support from agency to encourage staff's continuous efforts in professional input was indeed important. Formal platforms such as staff development programmes including workshops, team sharing, supervisions etc. did enhance professional practice. Secondly, the support from colleagues and working atmosphere in job-setting were also important factors of influence. Lastly, workload was the only negative factor identified in the study. It prevented practitioners from sparing time for professional input. Implications for social workers, social welfare organizations, social work profession, and future research were highlighted. Generally speaking, commitment to social work profession for better service quality was recommended. Social workers had to equip themselves well with competence. Social welfare organizations had to provide enough support in terms of time and resources to staffs for sharpening their skills in practice. Social work profession had to take active and constructive measures to strengthen the cohesiveness of social workers, social welfare organizations, social work academics and social work associations/unions in order to demonstrate the solidarity and competency of the profession. Furthermore, future research on investigation of professional interventions was suggested. The indigenization work in terms of practice following by research-based evaluation as well as publications was in need. |
| Rights: | All rights reserved |
| Access: | restricted access |
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| File | Description | Size | Format | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| b12307142.pdf | For All Users (off-campus access for PolyU Staff & Students only) | 3.19 MB | Adobe PDF | View/Open |
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