Fidelity and influencing factors in the Systemic Practice Model of children's social care in Finland
Isokuortti, N., & Aaltio, E. (2020). Fidelity and influencing factors in the Systemic Practice Model of children's social care in Finland. Children and Youth Services Review, 119, Article 105647. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.childyouth.2020.105647
Published in
Children and Youth Services ReviewDate
2020Copyright
© 2020 The Authors. Published by Elsevier Ltd
Given that multiple countries have recently adopted social work practice models in children’s services, it is striking that only a few studies have systematically analysed both the level of fidelity and potential implementation barriers and facilitators. The aim of this study is to provide an in-depth analysis of how and why the Reclaiming Social Work (RSW) model works in different settings. The study context was the implementation in Finland of an adaptation of the model, the Systemic Practice Model (SPM). This mixed-methods study evaluates 1) fidelity to the SPM and 2) the possible influencing factors. The results reveal high variability in the extent of fidelity in 23 implementation sites, and even among individual teams within the same site. A lack of clarity concerning systemic social work practice, insufficient training, and inadequate resources and leadership hindered the implementation, whereas coaching and positive experiences of the SPM were facilitating factors. In particular, the involvement of a clinician qualified in systemic family therapy was crucial in embedding the new approach. The relationship between the level of fidelity and the influencing factors worked both ways (e.g., low coverage was associated with a decrease in participant responsiveness, and vice versa). Given the complexity of children’s social care as an implementation environment, careful preparation and ongoing support are crucial in the implementation of practice models.
...


Publisher
ElsevierISSN Search the Publication Forum
0190-7409Keywords
Publication in research information system
https://converis.jyu.fi/converis/portal/detail/Publication/43501018
Metadata
Show full item recordCollections
Additional information about funding
This research did not receive any specific grant from funding agencies in the public, commercial, or not-for-profit sectors.License
Related items
Showing items with similar title or keywords.
-
Developing a programme theory for the Systemic Practice Model in children's social care : Key informants' perspectives
Aaltio, Elina; Isokuortti, Nanne (Wiley-Blackwell, 2021)Vague programme descriptions are known to impede implementation and evaluation. Yet social work change programmes often fail to describe in detail how they aim to provide better outcomes for children and families. This ... -
Effectiveness of child protection practice models : a systematic review
Isokuortti, Nanne; Aaltio, Elina; Laajasalo, Taina; Barlow, Jane (Elsevier BV, 2020)Background Attempts to improve child protection outcomes by implementing social work practice models embedded in a particular theory and practice approach, have increased internationally over the past decade. Objective To ... -
A lattice of participation: reflecting on examples of children's and young people's collective engagement in influencing social welfare policies and practices
Larkins, Cath; Kiili, Johanna; Palsanen, Kati (Routledge, 2014)The article introduces four case studies from Wales, France and Finland and explores the situated, intergenerational and dynamic nature of collective participation in child welfare settings. Collective participation is ... -
Perhe- ja lapsityön ammatilliset asiantuntijuudet kokemusasiantuntijuuden kontekstissa
Itäpuisto, Maritta; Kiili, Johanna; Malinen, Kaisa; Moilanen, Johanna; Punna, Mari (Sosiaalipoliittinen yhdistys; Sosiaalityön tutkimuksen seura, 2021)Tutkimuksessa tarkastellaan ryhmähaastatteluaineiston avulla lapsi- ja perhepalveluiden ammattilaisten asiantuntijuutta suhteessa kokemusasiantuntijuuteen. Tutkimuksessa havaittiin kolme erilaista ammatillisen asiantuntijuuden ... -
The Academic Identity and Boundaries Of the Discipline of Social Work : Reflections Of Social Work Professors On the Recruitment and Research Of Doctoral Students In Finland
Forsberg, Hannele; Kuronen, Marjo; Ritala-Koskinen, Aino (Oxford University Press, 2019)Finland has a strong and long tradition of research-oriented doctoral education in social work. Recent general changes in doctoral education, such as increased regulation, internationalisation and time pressures, have had ...