A relational pedagogy: A YoungMILE in our decolonising social work practice journey

The problem of professionalism: How White social workers enact Whiteness in their work with people of refugee background

“…They summarised that the cultural realities of non-Euro-Australian social workers and clients are at odds with Western ideas of professionalism valued by the dominant White Euro-Australian culture. These findings focussing on the experiences of non-Euro-Australian social workers are consistent with those that related specifically to the social workers of refugee background in the study discussed above by Baltra-Ulloa (2014). These participants reported that having similar backgrounds to their clients was valuable in being able to be a provide a ‘relevant point of cultural orientation upon arrival in Australia’ (Baltra-Ulloa, 2014: 178).…”

“…These findings focussing on the experiences of non-Euro-Australian social workers are consistent with those that related specifically to the social workers of refugee background in the study discussed above by Baltra-Ulloa (2014). These participants reported that having similar backgrounds to their clients was valuable in being able to be a provide a ‘relevant point of cultural orientation upon arrival in Australia’ (Baltra-Ulloa, 2014: 178). However, Western social work’s focus on professionalism impacted upon the ability to work in culturally appropriate ways.…”

“…The reported experiences of social workers in this project that relate to the pressures, desires and often failures to be ‘professional’, are consistent to those of others who have reported on the experiences of workers who work with people seeking asylum and people of refugee background. For example, the social workers involved in Baltra-Ulloa’s (2014) study reported that the professionalisation of social work promoted negative encounters characterised by boundaries, rules and a focus on risk, distance, emotional detachment, a lack of partnership and friendship and the worker having an expert stance. Participants working with people of refugee background in both Robinson’s (2014) and Guhan and Liebling-Kalifani’s (2011) research reported that it was difficult to maintain professional relationships with clients.…”

“…In Australia, Baltra-Ulloa (2014) explored the experiences of social workers of both refugee background and non-refugee background, as well as refugee arrived clients. Across the different cohorts of the study, there was a consistent emphasis on the importance of being in relationships, mutual learning, dialogue and reciprocity.…”