A Professional Role in Transition
Swedish Child Welfare Social Workers’ Descriptions of Their Work in 2003 and 2014
Bibliographic Data
| ID | 10895907 |
|---|---|
| Authors | Pia Tham (0000-0003-4155-810X, University of Gävle, corresponding author) |
| Year | 2018 |
| Volume | 48 |
| Issue | 2 |
| Pages | 449-467 |
| Publication date | 2018-03-01 |
| Peer Reviewed | Yes |
| Open Access | No |
| Type | ARTICLE |
| Venue | The British Journal of Social Work (JOURNAL) |
| Journal identifiers | ISSN: 0045-3102 • E-ISSN: 1468-263X |
| Publisher | Oxford University Press (PUBLISHER • GB) |
| DOI | 10.1093/bjsw/bcx016 |
| OpenAlex | W2617472064 |
| Language | EN |
| Citations received | 29 |
| References cited | 48 |
This study is based on a follow-up in 2014 of a survey conducted in 2003 among Swedish child welfare social workers. The same questionnaire used in 2003 (n = 309) was distributed to social workers (n = 349) who, in 2014, were working with the same types of tasks as in the previously investigated areas. The overall aim was to examine and analyse how working conditions have developed over these eleven years. From the results, two general patterns emerge. The first shows a deterioration of their working conditions, with higher work demands, increased role conflicts and less possibility to influence important decisions. The intention to leave the workplace or the profession had also increased. The second overall pattern concerns the emerging changes in job content, where the work today seems to be focused on conducting investigations whereas the vast majority of the social workers in 2003 also mentioned other tasks, such as giving advice and support, as being part of their job content. Contrary to their wishes, the social workers of today seem to have less time to devote to direct contact with clients. The consequences of these changes for the professional role of social workers and for their clients are discussed.
Political science · Public relations · Social Welfare · Welfare · Work (physics) · Engineering · Homelessness and Social Issues · Psychology · Research in Social Sciences · Social Psychology · Social Work Education and Practice · Social Work
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| Unique citing works | 29 |
|---|---|
| Citations per year | 3,63 |
| Citation span | 2018 - 2025 (8) |
| Citation velocity | recent |
| Highly cited | No |
| Citation types | Neutral: 28 |