A generalist approach to forensic social work: A qualitative analysis

Abstract

Summary Forensic social work is often portrayed as a specialized area within the field of social work. Nevertheless, the target group of forensic social work is confronted with a variety of problems in different life domains. The literature reveals the importance of generalist social work to address the complex needs of vulnerable target groups. However, little has been written or studied about what generalist social work should entail in the field of forensic social work. This article addresses the value of generalist social work for the practice of forensic social work. We conduct 14 interviews with social workers affiliated with forensic social work organizations in Brussels, the capital of Belgium. Findings The results show that generalist social work plays a pivotal role in forensic social work. A generalist approach is indispensable to meeting the complex problems of the vulnerable target group of offenders. Our study makes a distinction between five different roles adopted by generalist social workers affiliated with forensic social work organizations when providing services and support to the target group of offenders. In addressing the needs of this target group, they act as a broker, a mediator, a key figure, a safety net and as an advocate. Applications Despite some specific needs and skills required in the field of forensic social work, a generalist approach is critical to a more responsive social work approach towards the target group of offenders.

Combining generalist and specialist social work in activation policies: A participatory action research

“…The search for a suitable balance between generalist and specialist approaches has been the subject of a longstanding debate within the field of social work (Naessens & Raeymaeckers, 2020; Raeymaeckers, 2016; Stevenson, 2005; Vandekinderen et al, 2020). The roots of this debate can be traced back to the work of Mary Richmond in the early decades of the twentieth century (Leighninger, 1980).…”

“…A growing body of social work literature recognises that both generalist and specialist social works play an important role in supporting target groups facing wicked problems (Kuosmanen & Starke, 2013; Naessens & Raeymaeckers, 2020; Perlinski et al, 2012; Raeymaeckers, 2016). Drawing on these insights, we study how job coaches, who are specialist social workers, can adopt a generalist social work approach in counselling and guiding their clients towards the labour market.…”

“…One of the challenges is that social services with an overly narrow or specialist focus on employment and employability, fall short in supporting vulnerable target groups (Heidenreich & Aurich‐Beerheide, 2014). More specifically, people confronted with several needs in different life domains frequently fall through the gaps in the service net if social support only focuses on work and neglects other life domains (Naessens & Raeymaeckers, 2020; Ohls, 2020; Raeymaeckers, 2016).…”

Participatory Action Research and Urban Social Work: Strategies for Navigating the Challenges of Participation and Reciprocation

“…One of our research projects -even though it wasn't initiated as a PAR project per se -is illustrative in this regard. The project focused on the collaboration between social work organisations operating in Brussels' prisons and was designed in collaboration with both representatives of the relevant organisations and policy makers (Naessens & Raeymaeckers, 2019). Since the aim of the project was to analyse the collaboration between prison social work services, it included social workers and their managers as active collaborators but not people experiencing imprisonment.…”

Overcoming non-take-up of rights: A realist evaluation of Integrated Rights-Practices

“…Throughout this collaboration, the generalist social workers had a fourfold role of informing citizens about services, contextualizing the situation to other professionals, coordinating the interaction and remaining an accessible point of contact (mechanism 1 ). Put differently, the social workers often acted as a broker that bridges structural holes between local service providers based on the needs of citizens (Burt, 2004;Naessens & Raeymaeckers, 2020;Raeymaeckers, 2016;Wholey & Huonker, 1993). By doing so, not only information and process costs were reduced, but citizens also received more holistic answers in comparison to fragmented approaches (outcome 1 ).…”