C. Verity Bennett, Louisa M. Roberts, Phil Smith, Melissa Meindl, Philip Pallmann, Fiona Lugg-Widger, Elizabeth-Ann Schroeder, Linda Adara, Kim Munnery, Lena Meister, Sharon Ayayo, Sarah Rawlinson, Donald Forrester, Stavros Petrou, James White and David Westlake
School social work, in various forms, is well established internationally and has a growing evidence base. Yet existing research focuses on professional perspectives rather than…
Abstract
Purpose
School social work, in various forms, is well established internationally and has a growing evidence base. Yet existing research focuses on professional perspectives rather than those of students. This study aims to fill this gap by exploring secondary school student perspectives of having social workers in schools (SWIS). It was undertaken in England as part of the SWIS trial, which tested whether secondary school-based social workers could improve child safety and well-being, identify issues more quickly and reduce the need for statutory services.
Design/methodology/approach
A mixed-methods approach comprised a survey (n = 1,998 students) and interviews (n = 27 students). Surveys included questions on awareness, understanding, interaction with and attitudes towards the school-based social workers. Interviews involved a Q-sort activity followed by semi-structured questions on general attitudes and experiences. The Q-sort characterised prominent perspectives and how many students subscribed to them.
Findings
Students were broadly positive about having a social worker in their school in the survey and interviews. Two prominent perspectives on SWIS were identified. The first (n = 17) was defined by students feeling positively overall and strongly agreeing that they trusted the social worker. The second (n = 4) was mixed in sentiment, defined by some anxiety about working with the social worker. In interviews, students relayed that social workers were easily accessible, offered emotional support and acted as a bridge between school and home.
Originality/value
To the best of the authors’ knowledge, this study is the first to quantify student perspectives on having social workers at school and evidence attitudes and experiences about school-based social work as practiced during the SWIS trial.
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Sarah Rawlinson and Peter Dewhurst
The purpose of this paper is to present the concept of a “university learning laboratory” as an example of providing experiential learning opportunities as part of a vocational…
Abstract
Purpose
The purpose of this paper is to present the concept of a “university learning laboratory” as an example of providing experiential learning opportunities as part of a vocational degree programme. It presents a model of how to extend industry participation in degree programmes beyond internships and work placements and demonstrates the benefits of including knowledge transfer as part of the curriculum design of vocational degrees.
Design/methodology/approach
This paper adopts a qualitative case study approach to share experiences of a university based in the UK.
Findings
Vocational degrees that develop the concepts of the discipline within the context of where they are applied are providing “work ready” graduates for industry.
Practical implications
This paper summarizes the key benefits of engaging industry more extensively in the design and delivery of vocational degree programmes. It highlights a new type of stakeholder partnership and a collective responsibility for vocational curricula in higher education.
Originality/value
This paper draws on Michael Eraut's work on the transfer of knowledge between education and the workplace.
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Paula Shaw and Sarah Rawlinson
The chapter discusses pedagogical models of digital learning in the United Kingdom with a focus on online and blended learning, rolled out as a case study in one university. The…
Abstract
The chapter discusses pedagogical models of digital learning in the United Kingdom with a focus on online and blended learning, rolled out as a case study in one university. The chapter appraises the effectiveness of the model that implemented and foregrounded the evidence in the wider literature on models of digital learning in higher education. The chapter provides thematic analysis and methodological opportunities for the improvement of practice and presents a set of implementation implications and pitfalls to avoid for higher education institutions in Africa. Furthermore, a number of trends regarding the blending of learning and communication synchrony in digital learning have also been identified.
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Fred Rawlinson and Peter Farrell
The purpose of this paper is to examine and evaluate current directions in construction site health and safety management by examination of large UK industry contractors' web…
Abstract
Purpose
The purpose of this paper is to examine and evaluate current directions in construction site health and safety management by examination of large UK industry contractors' web sites, revealing the motivators that are potentially informing and driving these directions.
Design/methodology/approach
A desk study approach examined 20 large UK contractor web sites. Subsequent hermeneutic content analysis established current industry direction, enabled comparison to comparable government and academic directions, and also revealed potential motivators and influences behind recent innovations.
Findings
Large UK contractors have readily adopted corporate social responsibility and placed health and safety under this remit. Industry direction correlates with current government approaches, however academia appears to influence industry through government, rather than direct conduits. Bespoke safety management programmes have been a key innovation, but the influence of marketing was clear and may have led to focus on easily promotable goals, rather than the processes and methods needed to achieve them.
Practical implications
Marketing may overtake practicality in the direction of health and safety management on construction sites; industry innovation focused on the promotable rather than the practical, could stagnate. The lack of direct influence of academia on industry direction indicates a requirement for relationships to be better established in order to inspire continuous improvement.
Originality/value
A holistic review of large industry contractor approaches to site health and safety management has not previously been undertaken. Neither has the use of promotional web‐based data been examined; thereby providing a unique insight into the direction of current efforts within industry.
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Jan Lees, Rex Haigh and Sarah Tucker
The purpose of this paper is to highlight theoretical and clinical similarities between therapeutic communities (TCs) and group analysis (GA).
Abstract
Purpose
The purpose of this paper is to highlight theoretical and clinical similarities between therapeutic communities (TCs) and group analysis (GA).
Design/methodology/approach
Literature review shows comparison of TC and group-analytic concepts with illustrative case material.
Findings
Findings reveal many similarities between TCs and GA, but also significant divergences, particularly in practice.
Practical implications
This paper provides theoretical basis for TC practice, and highlights the need for greater theorising of TC practice.
Social implications
This paper highlights the importance of group-based treatment approaches in mental health.
Originality/value
This is the first paper to review the relevant literature and compare theory and practice in TCs and GA, highlighting their common roots in the Northfields Experiments in the Second World War.
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Ricky Yao Nutsugbodo, Sarah Blankson-Stiles-Ocran, Benjamin Appiah Osei, Bernadette Ekua Bedua Afful, Conrad-Joseph Wuleka Kuuder, Thelma Ziemah Alhassan, Josiane Akogo, Esther Obeng, Philomina Dansowaa Agyiri and Gifty Nancy Amponsah
This study examined university students’ participation in campus-based events (CBEs). Using the Stimulus-Organism-Response (SOR) theory, the study specifically assessed the effect…
Abstract
Purpose
This study examined university students’ participation in campus-based events (CBEs). Using the Stimulus-Organism-Response (SOR) theory, the study specifically assessed the effect of motivation on emotional attachment and experiential value and how these affect the satisfaction and subjective well-being of students.
Design/methodology/approach
An online questionnaire programmed using the Kobo toolbox was used to collect data from 840 CBE participants in August 2023. AMOS Graphics version 23 was used to establish the measurement and structural model to be validated and tested.
Findings
The study found that the organismic elements (emotional attachment and experiential value) significantly mediated stimulus (motivation) and response (satisfaction and subjective well-being). In all, the six hypotheses tested were significant.
Practical implications
The study’s findings suggest that CBE stakeholders must consider the underlying motivations of students, the emotional attachment, and experiential values likely to be derived when designing and organizing CBE activities, and use impactful advertising media to entice and arouse students’ interest in participating in CBEs.
Originality/value
The study contributes to the understanding of the factors that influence CBE participants’ satisfaction and subjective well-being. The study’s focus on motivation, emotional attachment, and experiential value provides insights into developing effective strategies for the events industry.
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At the heart of health and social care services is the pursuit of safety and dignity. Legislation and organizational policies are the main way in which statutory and independent…
Abstract
At the heart of health and social care services is the pursuit of safety and dignity. Legislation and organizational policies are the main way in which statutory and independent organizations’ are tasked with enabling adults with mental health services along the road to recovery. Safety is an intrinsic motivator and basic need.
There is increased political recognition that social policy including the Mental Health Act 2007, which is a cornerstone, is in need of reform. A Conservative Manifesto pledge to reform mental health legislation is based upon the need to mitigate discrimination.
The chapter will explore the interrelationship between “poor outcomes” within the black community and safety; consider the opportunities to move from organizational complacency as a result of new policy and legal frameworks; and promote the view that developing a new discourse around safety is an integral part of improving outcomes for service users, particularly those who are poorly served currently.
A literature review plus reference to case studies will form the basis of the chapter ent and modern racism?