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ERIC Number: EJ1167515
Record Type: Journal
Publication Date: 2018
Pages: 15
Abstractor: As Provided
ISBN: N/A
ISSN: ISSN-1034-912X
EISSN: N/A
Reimagining the Role of Human Services Workers: Staff Experiences of a Social Change Initiative
Spencer-Cavaliere, Nancy; Kingsley, Bethan C.; Norris, Carmen
International Journal of Disability, Development and Education, v65 n2 p214-228 2018
Despite recognition that social inclusion is a primary goal within the field of human services, people with disabilities continue to live lives of clienthood, marginalisation, and exclusion and human services staff struggle to make social inclusion a priority. The purpose of this study was to explore the perspectives of human services staff about their experiences of an organisationally inspired initiative intended to change the focus of their everyday practices to better facilitate the social inclusion of persons with disabilities. A qualitative case study was used to gather observations, field and reflective notes, semi-structured interviews with staff (n = 15), and reflexive journaling. Thematic analysis of the data led to three themes: (a) challenges, old and new, (b) needing (careful) change, and (c) creating, learning and working together. These findings highlight the complexity of how to create change in the field of human services, but also demonstrate how innovative approaches have the potential to shift and reimagine how human services workers can better support people with disabilities in living meaningful lives.
Routledge. Available from: Taylor & Francis, Ltd. 530 Walnut Street Suite 850, Philadelphia, PA 19106. Tel: 800-354-1420; Tel: 215-625-8900; Fax: 215-207-0050; Web site: http://www.tandf.co.uk/journals
Publication Type: Journal Articles; Reports - Research
Education Level: N/A
Audience: N/A
Language: English
Sponsor: N/A
Authoring Institution: N/A
Identifiers - Location: Canada
Grant or Contract Numbers: N/A