The document discusses the transferability of social work knowledge between different practice contexts. It presents findings from interviews and case studies on how social workers transfer knowledge gained in their country of origin to their new practice context in Canada. The main points are: 1. While social work principles and values are largely universal, the practice context influences how they are applied. Language barriers and differences in laws/policies can also impact transferability. 2. Clinical skills and theoretical knowledge transfer relatively well, but adjustments may be needed for different populations or models. 3. Professional experiences are highly transferable, but social workers must understand differences in social problems and norms between cultures. 4. The socio-political context has

1. Theme 2 : The transfer of knowledge to field of
practice.
Knowledge Exchange Forum
November 2014
1

2. PRESENTATION AGENDA
1. The transferability of social work
1. Study findings:
8 themes emerged regarding the
transfer of knowledge in field of practice
3. Questions and discussion
2

3. The transfer of knowledge to field of practice
• Social work is rooted in internationally transferable principles
(International Federation of Social Workers, 2012)
• There is consensus around key issues (Pullen Sansfacon,
Spolander & Englebrencht, 2011) and the roles and tasks of
social work (Lyon, 2006)
• These parameters cannot ensure a standard of practice and
training on the international level (Weiss-Gal; Welbourne,
2008; Spolander, 2011)
3

4. The transfer of knowledge to field of practice
• Social work practice is greatly influenced by the local
context (Mayer, 2002 ; Blewett et al, 2007 ; Horner,
2009; Fouché and Beddoe, 2012)
• Heterogeneity of the profession may affect the
transferability of practice (Fouché, Beddoe, Bartley,
& Brenton, 2013)
4

5. Presentation of results
• Semi-structured interviews
• 3 case studies
• The transfer of knowledge: an essential element in
the process of professional adaptation
• Some learnings transferred better than others
• Non-dichotomous
5

6. Presentation of results
• 8 themes emerged on the question of transfer of
knowledge:
1. Principles and values of social work
2. Theoretical knowledge
3. Clinical skills
4. Professional experience
5. Language
6. Social problems
7. Practice context
8. Socio-political context
6

7. Principles and values of social work
• Universality of values:
The participants noted a similarity between social
work values in Canada and in their country of
origin.
(Czech Republic) « I think they are very similar to
what is here, it’s all about the client rights, the
patient, the dignity, every human being’s unique,
every person has unique needs, the respect,
confidentiality »
7

8. Principles and values of social work
• An exception: Confidentiality
(Romania) «I know that confidentiality is a huge,
huge issue here and it is really, really respected.
(…) We definitely learn that everything we do is
confidential but in my country it wasn’t always
respected and signing consent forms and signing
release forms it wasn’t really, really the practice
everywhere. So this is what I really had to
acknowledge that things are different here »
8

9. Principles and values of social work
• Ability to put values aside when the practice context
is not conducive to accommodation.
(Lebanon) « My religious values. I cannot talk about them
at all. We can be easily judged. Because I am Catholic
and I am a practicing believer. When we talk about the
weekend, on Monday morning, it’s like, I can’t say, ‘oh, I
went to Mass’. »
9

10. Principles and values of social work
• Stability of values across the migration process
(France) « My values stayed the same, they didn’t
change. We aren’t, in any case I’m not a social
worker for nothing. My values haven’t changed, my
values of listening, respect, equality, they don’t
change, it’s the foundation. In France or elsewhere. »
10

11. Principles and values of social work
• Changing values in the Canadian context
(Colombia)« Yes, I think that my values could be
stronger today than they were before »
(France) « I don’t understand how we reached the
point where health services take so long to access.
Because for me, it’s really important. That’s what has
shocked me, truly. For me, health, education, those
aren’t commodities. »
11

12. Theoretical knowledge
• Theoretical knowledge is transferable although the
academic curriculum varies from one country to another.
(United Kingdom) “ The fact that I come from
anywhere doesn’t necessarily impact on the
relationship. It has to do with it being client-focused.
So, that, I think means that’s why it’s transferable”
• Heterogeneity of social work and theoretical models.
Adjustments can be expected.
12

13. Clinical skills
• A significant transferable element
(France) « The knowledge I gained in France helps me
all the time. My professional demeanor, the way I
approach an interview, the way I conduct interviews,
my way of reflecting and analysing situations, it’s the
same as it was in France, there’s no difference in my
process. »
13

14. Professional experiences
• Professional experiences have significant transferability from
one practice context to another.
• Results are similar even when the population served is
different from the population in the country of origin
(Romania) «The fact that I already worked with a clientele in
Romania that was similar, we call them gypsies. I found that
helped me here, like the practical skills, those skills helped me
transition during that time. »
14

15. Professional experiences
• A diversity of experiences facilitate the
transfer of knowledge.
(Spain) « This meant that I was able to work well
with clients who had immigrated, or abused
women or with persons with HIV. I had experience
in many areas, in my profession this meant that I
was … willing to work with a new group of clients,
I was completely unafraid. »
15

16. Language
• An element which brings challenges to
transferability.
• There are different challenges for Francophones,
Anglophones and Allophones.
• In Québec, the necessity of bilingualism can be a
surprise for im(migrant) social workers.
16

17. Social problems
• The universality of social problems
(France) « There are things in common, I mean; a
divorcee, a single mother, who loses
employment, who has difficulty with her children,
who has a health problem. There are the same
problems here as there are in France. »
17

18. Social problems
• Social norms and practices are influenced by the
cultural context of the country of origin
(Lebanon) « Working with blended families, working
with families with shared custody, this work doesn’t
exist in Lebanon »
18

19. Practice context
• Laws
• Rules and procedures
• Social policies
• Ways of working together
(Spain) «You have your expertise and your way of
doing things, but it is a system that is already in place
and you have to adapt, so you have to learn about
the system and get your head around it, that’s a huge
challenge, it’s difficult. »
19

20. Practice context
• The role of social workers varies from one country to
another.
(France) « Case manager. I never was a case
manager, an interventionist before I was in Canada.
That term doesn’t exist in France, we are social
workers in France, we are not secretaries, cooks,
dentists, nurses to take people to appointments »
20

21. Socio-political context
• The socio-political context has a significant
influence on the practice of social work.
(California, USA) « Yes, the system is truly different
here, it’s a socialist system and everyone has the
same services, the same rights. That’s really
different from what I am used to, like when I worked
in the schools with someone, those families are truly
in poverty. But here when I work with someone at
school, maybe they’re somebody who has a lot of
money. »
21

22. Is social work transferable?
• Yes!
• However, there gaps due to context:
- Laws
- Social policies
- Organizational structure
- Local resources
- Cultural references, linguistics, and history
22

23. References
• Blewett, J., Lewis, J. & Tunstill, J. (2007). The
changing roles and tasks of social work:
A literature informed discussion paper. London:
General Social Care Council.
• Lyons, K., & Huegler, N. (2012). International
Labour Mobility in Social Work. In L. Healy & R.
Link (Eds.), Handbook on International Social
Work. New York: Oxford University Press.
• Mayer, R. (2002). Évolution des pratiques en
service social. Boucherville: Gaëtan Morin.
23

24. References
• Horner, N (2009). What is social work? (3rd Ed.)
Exeter: Learning Matters.
• Pullen-Sansfaçon, A., Spolander, G., & Engelbrecht, L.
(2011). Migration of Professional Social Workers:
Reflections on Challenges and Strategies for
Education. Social Work Education, iFirst Article, 1-14.
• Lyons, K. (2006) ‘Globalization and Social Work:
International and Local Implications’, British Journal
of Social Work 36: 365–80.
24

25. Questions and discussion
25