This book represents the work of the European Research Network: Inclusive Society and the Role of Social Work, which comprises researchers from Barcelona, Spain; Koblenz, Germany; Maastricht, The Netherlands; and Zagreb, Croatia. The authors present research results and reflections from these four different European countries to provide a comprehensive introduction and discussion of the ambivalences of inclusive processes in society and social work.
The development towards an inclusive society is a subject of ongoing discussion in Europe. How the subject is addressed, through an examination of political and social characteristics, differs significantly by country. Each country-specific chapter includes evidence-based reflections on inclusive society and the role of social work:
- In The Netherlands, there is evidence of a top-down process implementing inclusive social policy and social work principles through the self-proclaimed ‘participation society’.
- In Spain, the process to inclusion is accompanied by the third sector often replacing governmental responsibilities, namely through the bottom-up activities of non-governmental organizations in social work.
- In Croatia, inclusion is a state initiative in transitioning society and an academic approach to deinstitutionalising social work.
- In Germany, inclusion is discussed in social systems theory and the reform of school systems. In the migration discourse it was introduced as a less-loaded alternative to integration.
Ambivalences of Inclusion in Society and Social Work: Research-Based Reflections in Four European Countries is a useful resource for learners, teachers, practitioners, and researchers in social work, as well as those who have an interest in social policy, social welfare, and sociology.
Author(s): Stephan Bundschuh, Maria José Freitas, Càndid Palacín Bartrolí, Nino Žganec
Series: European Social Work Education and Practice
Publisher: Springer
Year: 2020
Language: English
Pages: 166
City: Cham
Foreword
Acknowledgements
Participating Institutes and Research Groups
Research Group on Social Integration (Lectoraat Sociale Integratie), Academy of Social Studies, Zuyd University of Applied Sciences, The Netherlands
Research and Innovation Group in Social Work (GRITS), Faculty of Education, University of Barcelona, Spain
Department of Social Work, Faculty of Law, University of Zagreb, Croatia
Institute of Research and Further Education, Faculty of Social Sciences, Koblenz University of Applied Sciences, Germany
Contents
List of Figures
List of Tables
About the Editors
Contributors
Chapter 1: Introduction
1.1 How This Project Emerged
1.2 Inclusive Society: Relevant Concepts in Relation to Social Work
1.3 Methodology
1.4 European Policy on Social Inclusion Strategies: A Brief Overview
1.5 The Role of Social Work in an Inclusive Europe
1.6 The Structure of This Book
References
Chapter 2: Inclusive Society and Social Work: The Netherlands
2.1 Inclusive Society: A Developing Discourse
2.1.1 From (Social) Integration to Inclusive Society
2.1.2 The Do Democracy
2.1.2.1 Self-Reliance
2.1.3 Social Work: Same Values, Different Meanings
2.1.4 The Participation Paradox
2.2 Illustrating the Participation Paradox
2.2.1 Paradox One: Indirect Exclusion by Rules and Regulations Supporting Participation
2.2.1.1 Research Example: Young Mothers Navigating Social Support Systems
Social Work Professionals’ Support for Young Mothers
2.2.1.2 Research Example: Distancing Elderly Citizens Due to Activation Jargon
A System(s) Perspective
Social Workers as an Instrument of the System
2.2.2 Paradox Two: Not All Citizens Are Capable of Participating: Or Willing to
2.2.2.1 Research Example: Measuring Informal Care and Social Networks in Neighbourhoods
A Bottom-Up Research Instrument
The Risks of Top-Down Measurement of Informal Care and Social Networks
Opportunities for Social Workers
2.2.2.2 Research Example: Social District Teams Caught Between Policy and Practice
Between Policy and Practice
2.3 Observations from the Research Examples
2.3.1 The Mismatch Between Social Policy, Practice and Citizens
2.3.2 Redefining Roles and Responsibilities at a Local Level
2.3.3 Is Social Work an Instrument of the State?
2.3.4 Self-Reliance: Damned if You Do, Damned if You Don’t
2.3.5 Closing Remarks
References
Chapter 3: Inclusive Society and Social Work: The Spanish Case
3.1 Key Actors in Inclusive Society: Public and Third Sector Roles
3.1.1 The Concept of Inclusive Society in Catalonia and Spain
3.1.1.1 Social Inequality
3.1.1.2 Social Exclusion
3.1.1.3 Social Inclusion
3.1.2 The Challenges of Creating an Inclusive Society in Catalonia and Spain: Key Actors in the Public Sector
3.1.3 The Role of the Third Sector and NGOs in Establishing a More Inclusive Society
3.2 Case Studies: Research on Four Disadvantaged Groups in Barcelona
3.2.1 Homelessness
3.2.2 Migrants
3.2.3 Gay Men Aged over 50 Years
3.2.4 Roma Migrant Women
3.2.5 Inclusive Society: Key Factors Affecting the Target Groups
3.2.5.1 Categories for Comparing Research
3.2.5.2 Paths to Affiliation, Vulnerability and Disaffiliation
Life on the Streets: Extreme Deprivation
Vulnerability Factors for Older Gay Men
Disaffiliation Trajectories of Migrants and Roma Migrant Women
3.2.6 Social Links: Attachment, Identities, Recognition and Networks
3.2.7 The Imaginary: Stigmatisation and Rejection
3.2.8 Participation
3.2.8.1 Collective Interventions
3.2.8.2 The Role of the Third Sector in Relation to the Target Groups
3.3 Social Work and Inclusion in Relation to the Target Groups
3.3.1 Migration Issues: Fluctuations in Care Settings
3.3.2 Gay Men Aged over 50: From Contempt to Respect
3.3.3 Migrant Roma Women: Mistrust of Social Services
3.3.4 Homelessness: Relationships, Proximity and Recognising Rights
3.3.5 Drawing Common Conclusions
References
Chapter 4: Inclusive Society Within the Framework of a Transitioning Society: Examples from the Republic of Croatia
4.1 Interpretations, Challenges and Contexts: Introducing the Concept of Inclusive Society
4.1.1 The Concept of Inclusion in Croatian Social Work
4.1.2 Developing Inclusion in the Context of a National Framework
4.2 A Phenomenon of Inclusion
4.2.1 The Concept of Inclusive Education
4.2.1.1 Current Achievements in Inclusive Education in Croatia
4.2.2 Inclusion in the Process of Deinstitutionalisation
4.2.2.1 Achievements and Obstacles in the Process of Deinstitutionalisation
4.3 Conclusion: The Role of Social Work in an Inclusive Transition Society
References
Chapter 5: Social Work and Inclusive Society in Germany
5.1 Three Discourses on Inclusion
5.1.1 An Introduction to German Social Services
5.1.2 Inclusion in the Context of Social Systems
5.1.3 Inclusion in the Context of Disability
5.1.4 Inclusion in the Context of Migration
5.2 Practising Inclusion: Different Life Situations and the Role of Social Work
5.2.1 Life Orientation and Inclusion of Homeless Young People
5.2.2 Exclusion and Inclusion of Older Heroin Users
5.2.3 Inclusive Education and Disability
5.2.3.1 General Empirical Data
5.2.3.2 Inclusion of Children with Visual Impairments and Blindness
5.2.4 Processes of Inclusion in a (Post-)Migrant Society
5.2.4.1 Social Work in the Field of Migration
5.2.4.2 Care Provision Issues in a (Post-)Migrant Society
5.2.4.3 Inclusive Education and Migration
Inclusive Practice in a Special Needs School: A Project Report
5.3 Current Debates on Inclusion
5.3.1 The Least Restrictive Environment Principle and the Dilemma of Difference
5.3.2 The Comprehensive Solution or Inclusive Reform of the Child and Youth Welfare Act
References
Chapter 6: The Ambivalences of Inclusion in Society and Social Work: A Country Comparison
6.1 Conceptual Understandings of Inclusive Society, Inclusion and Participation
6.1.1 Inclusive Society
6.1.2 Inclusion: Agendas, Processes and Trajectories
6.1.3 Inclusion and/or Participation
6.2 Changing Welfare Structures: From Integration to Inclusion
6.2.1 Welfare State Transformation in Neoliberal Societies
6.2.2 Decentralising and Deinstitutionalising Social Welfare Structures
6.3 Social Work and Inclusion Processes
6.3.1 The Political Mandate of Social Work
6.3.2 Challenges for the Social Work Profession
6.3.3 Challenges for Social Work Research
6.4 The Future of Inclusion
6.4.1 Fundamental, Pragmatic and Excluding Inclusion
6.4.2 Inclusion as a Real Utopia
References
Country-Specific Concepts and Laws
The Netherlands
Spain
Croatia
Germany
Index
