Search

This article discusses the use of observation for reflective practice with older people, particularly the benefits and challenges of this learning tool. It outlines a study with 26 third-year Bachelor of Social Work students who undertook an elective course on reflective practice with older people. Using qualitative document analysis, the authors found that while there were a range of challenges in conducting these observations; overall, the students identified both personal and professional gains from their experiences. Particularly useful were the identification of ageist practices within the setting and the development of a degree of emotionality, criticality, and reflexivity through their experiences.

Social work and welfare education courses are underpinned by concepts such as equity, disadvantage and access as the guiding principles of practice with client groups. However, the 'clients' of the university, the students, are often disadvantaged in the current economic climate as they struggle to find the work/life balance with studying. In addition, many students who also currently work in the welfare field feel further disadvantaged as the knowledge and skills they bring to the course often go unrecognised. At the same time, university educators often struggle to locate sufficient numbers of stimulating learning opportunities for practica. We wondered if the time was right to explore work based practica (WBP) as a way of addressing these issues. And we wondered what common practica was across our networks with regard to WBP. This article presents the findings of a three-stage project on the current practices, concerns, benefits and disadvantages of WBP (that is practica in a student's place of employment) in social work and welfare education in Australia, New Zealand and Canada. Recommendations are presented so that WBP can be a more educationally sound option. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This article sets out to challenge the way social work with the elderly is presently viewed. By using the nursing home placement as the starting point, it attempts to question why social workers have this limited idea of work with the elderly. The paper states that social workers have taken this limited approach due to their own self-imposed limitations. These limitations are examined and social workers are challenged to confront these barriers and be creative in their approach to this area of social work practice. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

An introduction is presented in which the editor discusses various reports within the issue on topics including the personal and professional integrty of social welfare workers, child protection and family relations.

The article discusses various reports published within the issue, including one on the reconceptualisation of young people's citizenship, and another on the identity of young people placed under Australia's asylum seeking policies.

The article discusses several papers published within the issue including one about the social conditions of women in China and another regarding women's perception of equality in Ghana.