A strengths approach to building futures: UK students and refugees together

Abstract

This paper focuses on the development of mutually beneficial relationships between refugees and students. A deficit model constructs refugees as a burden on the host community rather than an asset. Services provided to refugee communities often reflect this view and ignore the substantial resources within them. A case study of work between students and refugees which builds on the strengths of refugee communities demonstrated significant gains for both students and refugees. Key theoretical concepts in exploring this approach are those of risk, status and continuity.

The development of social work education in Russia since 1995

“…In a few cases the agency itself funds the placement and agency personnel have recently begun to express their delight in having what they call a 'real resource'. There is a resonance here with findings from the new social work degree in England where there is some evidence that social work students are being seen as a potential resource (Butler, 2005;Doel et al, 2004). This implies that there is a change in attitude towards the students coming in.…”

Armed Conflict and Social Work: Significance and Implications

“…The program enables the advocates to meet with their counterparts from the three countries in a neutral location, a once in a lifetime opportunity to meet the enemy as human beings who share values and ways of working with each other. Butler (2005) has led a fieldwork placement on a social work degree in Plymouth, in which students worked as social work trainees with refugees. Using a community development and welfare rights approach, this enabled students to have a much better understanding of the issues faced by refugees, develop empathy and demonstrate it, and try to resolve individual issues within the limitations imposed in the UK system on what refugees can and cannot do.…”

Toward Building a Culture of Strengths in U.S. MSW Programs

“…In addition, the Great Society programs established through the Economic Opportunity Act of 1964, particularly the community action agencies, led to a resurgence of community and policy practice models whose principles could be summarized by the phrase "power to the people" (Fisher, 2005, p.47), practice principles that align well with strengths-based practice methods. Since then, a growing practice literature has developed in micro, mezzo, and macro practice (Berg, 1994;Butler, 2005;Chapin, 1995;DeJong & Miller, 1995;Green, McAllister & Tarte, 2004;Rapp, 1998;Rapp & Lane, 2009;Waites, 2009).…”