The profession of social work has difficulty terminating students for non‐academic reasons because of an inability to define suitability for the profession and to formulate concrete criteria Although discerning who is, or is not, personally suitable to practice social work is bound to be challenging, there is a growing realization that this task must be undertaken This study was undertaken in response to this challenge, and seeks to increase our knowledge base about the personal and professional dimensions of social work, which result in suitable and unsuitable practices among social work students and practicing professional social workers This article examines data gathered on the subject of professional suitability from a focus group and a series of individual interviews with social work field instructors The authors attempt to broaden our understanding of personal suitability for the practice of social work and to achieve greater operational specificity to guide decision making for social work educ

Gate‐keeping for professional social work practice

The authors investigated whether formalized gatekeeping procedures and program-level characteristics influence the rates at which deficient trainees are graduated from counseling programs. One hundred eighteen faculty members reported that counselor educators face diverse pressures to avoid investigating potentially deficient students, including concerns about being sued and concerns about receiving compromised teaching evaluations. However, faculty members in programs accredited by the Council for Accreditation of Counseling and Related Educational Programs and faculty members in programs with more formalized gatekeeping procedures seemed to more effectively follow through with concerns they had about specific students. These findings support the implementation of both broad, program-wide training standards and specific, formalized procedures to more effectively screen deficient trainees.

Do Formalized Gatekeeping Procedures Increase Programs' Follow‐Up With Deficient Trainees?

Using data from the German Family Panel (pairfam) based on 11,746 intergenerational family relationships, the present study examined differences in parental closeness across relations with multiple, coresidential, and non-coresidential adolescent and adult children. Replicating previous research in a multilevel analysis across families, the authors found a strong positive effect of biological descent on closeness in comparison to adoptive and steprelations; this parental favoritism toward biological offspring was partly explained by selection via parental resources and attitudes. Supplemental withinparent fixed effect analyses suggested that the relative disadvantage of stepchildren was offset by longer duration of the stepparent-stepchild relationship, lower household income, fewer children in the household, and high parental affirmation of familism.Key Words: families in middle and later life, intergenerational relations, nonresidential parents, parental investment/involvement, stepfamilies, western European families.Like many industrialized countries, Germany has witnessed an unprecedented rise in divorce rates since the 1960s (Dorbritz & Gartner, 1998) that has leveled off during the past two decades (Kneip & Bauer, 2009). The increased number of divorced parents stimulated partner markets (Stauder, 2006) such that nontraditional family types (e.g., stepfamilies with cohabiting or remarried parents) became increasingly common. On the basis of national survey data from the German Generations and Gender Survey, Steinbach (2008) estimated that in 2005 almost 25% of all children age 18 or younger were not living with both biological parents in the same household and that almost half of these children coresided with stepparents. This proportion has been increasing steadily throughout the last 20 or 30 years (Klein & Eckhard, 2004, for the United States; Teachman & Tedrow, 2008).Comparing nuclear families to less traditional family types (e.g., stepfamilies) is particularly instructive because it may shed light on the interplay of biological descent and social interaction in shaping intergenerational relations. Different family structures reflect varying degrees of biological versus social relatedness. In contrast to nuclear families, in stepfamilies there is an inherent distinction between biological and social parenthood, with at least one nonbiological-that is, social-parent who voluntarily entered into a relationship with the stepchild's parent without having necessarily chosen that particular child. Adoptive families, in which both social parents agree to take parental custody of a child, represent yet another constellation, whereas in foster families the parental role is usually limited to a certain time period.Theoretical arguments and empirical evidence support the notion that biological parent-child ties are stronger and often entail higher levels of affection than nonbiological parent-child relationships. Arguments from two theoretical approaches are especially relevant because they shed light on possible lasting differences between biological and nonbiological parent-child relations. First, sociobiologists argue that parents selectively invest their resources, such as time and support, in biological offspring in order to maximize their inclusive fitness, that is, to pass on their genes and to assure their children's success (Berger, Carlson, Bzostek, & Osborne, 2008). Second, sociological approaches, such as exchange theory, emphasize that the phase of parental caretaking is, on average, longer for biological than for social offspring, leading to higher reciprocity expectations and more cohesion within biological intergenerational relationships. Both theoretical approaches provide a sensible rationale for expecting that parents will favor biological over social offspring.In regard to stepfamilies, the literature on divorce (Amato, 2010) suggests that parents with problematic characteristics (e. …

What Narrows the Stepgap? Closeness Between Parents and Adult (Step)Children in Germany

Social science research specific to the identification and prevalence of unsuitable students within counselling, psychology, and social work training programmes is briefly reviewed in this article. This area of enquiry relates to the gatekeeping responsibilities of professional educational programmes, to ensure that their graduates are competent to provide ethical and effective practice to the public. Key issues which impede the usefulness of this gatekeeping literature to counselling educators are raised. These include: methodological inconsistencies which limit the comparison of findings and hence the drawing of sound conclusions; the lack of definitional clarity relating to the construct of gatekeeping; and the confusing array of nomenclature used to represent students’ failure to meet acceptable professional standards. It is apparent from this overview that there are common factors irrespective of nomenclature that are associated with students at risk of not becoming competent entry-level pra...

Preparing our future counselling professionals: Gatekeeping and the implications for research

Student assessment is an important component of social work education, and consumes considerable effort on behalf of both students and staff members. Social work educators in higher education face the challenge of constructing assessment methods, which encourage the development of reflective and critical learning, as well as enabling students to demonstrate acquisition of required knowledge and/or skills. While there is now a substantial literature on field education, the assessment of classroom-based units has warranted less attention. This paper examines the range of assessment methods reported in the social work education literature, the evidence which supports the use of these methods and issues associated with the identified assessment methods.

Assessment methods in social work education: a review of the literature

This study explores from a dual perspective the impact of the fostering process on biological children in the home. Ten foster parents and their biological children were interviewed separately. The impact of foster care on the psychological, educational, and social well-being of biological children and their relationship with parents and siblings were examined. The exploration reveals a paradoxical and life-changing process as seen through the eyes of biological children and their parents.

http://burnside.slimlib.com.au:81/docs/AddressingTheImpactOfFosterCareOnBiologicalChildrenAndTheirFamilies.pdf

Addressing the Impact of Foster Care on Biological Children and their Families.

capacity for social functioning and to create societal conditions favorable to their goals (NASW, 1994). This ideal, which drives social work to promote liberty and justice for all, is echoed by the International Federation of Social Workers (IFSW, 1978) where social workers are described as ’people who set out to promote the welfare of human beings and to help them fulfill their potential aspirations, as well as to develop and apply systematically both scientific knowledge of human and societal activities and social services aimed at satisfying the needs and aspirations of individuals and groups at national and international level, while constantly bearing in mind the need for promoting social policy’. A controversy emerges as these honorable ideals are applied to social work students who are denied the fulfillment of their own

The gatekeeping dilemma in undergraduate social work programs: collision of ideal and reality

This study presents the perspective of parents who adopted children internationally and their now adult adopted children regarding the impact of international adoption on their lives. Areas explored include adaptation of the child and family, challenges experienced along the way, influence on various aspects of their lives, parent-child relationship, rewards and regrets associated with the adoption experience, recommendations for those considering international adoptions, and an adjective that would describe their journey. The outcome illuminates the success of international adoptions and the life-changing bond that is formed when parents and children transcend all boundaries to form a family to call their own.

The International Adoption Experience: Do They Live Happily Ever After?

This article reveals the mystifying reality, enduring struggles and uncertain future facing families in Israel. The compelling literature shortage of inclusive and fair scholarly representation of the various ethnic groups in Israel inspired the focus of this work on the commonalities, including the shared sense of suffering as well as manner in which life is celebrated. Of significance are the factors that generate divergence among the various ethnic groups while supporting their family strengths. Family and cultural resilience is a mere derivative of the commitment to family and traditions, faith, communication styles, and a strong recuperative energy that unite all groups.

The resilience of families in Israel : Understanding their struggles and appreciating their strengths

The chapter presents a contextual picture of death and bereavement from the perspective of Jews, Muslims, and Christians in Israel. The role of biblical, historical, and political factors in contributing to death and bereavement among the various segments of the population is noted, while highlighting the intricacies of the cultural and religious traditions that promote resilience and healing. Culturally sensitive frameworks and interventions are recommended to promote the empowerment and integrity of Israel’s Jewish, Muslim, and Christian people.

Death and Bereavement in Israel: Jewish, Muslim, and Christian Perspectives

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