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  • A qualitative study on the pros and cons of ethnically matching culturally and linguistically diverse (CALD) client families and child protection caseworkers

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    Author(s)
    Sawrikar, Pooja
    Griffith University Author(s)
    Sawrikar, Pooja
    Year published
    2013
    Metadata
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    Abstract
    A review of the literature indicated that empirical research into the advantages and disadvantages of ethnically matching child protection caseworkers and culturally and linguistically diverse (CALD) client families is not extensive. The main aim of this study was to address this gap. Qualitative interviews were conducted with 29 CALD client families and 17 child protection caseworkers (as part of a larger study). It was found that if CALD families fear a breach of confidentiality (because of cultural reasons to protect the family's privacy and name), and this fear exceeds the two main benefits of ethnic matching - namely, ...
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    A review of the literature indicated that empirical research into the advantages and disadvantages of ethnically matching child protection caseworkers and culturally and linguistically diverse (CALD) client families is not extensive. The main aim of this study was to address this gap. Qualitative interviews were conducted with 29 CALD client families and 17 child protection caseworkers (as part of a larger study). It was found that if CALD families fear a breach of confidentiality (because of cultural reasons to protect the family's privacy and name), and this fear exceeds the two main benefits of ethnic matching - namely, that it helps overcome language barriers and provides (cultural) sensitivity - then they are likely to prefer a non-matched caseworker. This may be a challenge in child protection practice if the pool of culturally competent caseworkers is small. Another challenge identified was when CALD families preferred an ethnic match but was seen by case managers as a risk to the accurate assessment of a child's wellbeing because the caseworker was over-identifying with the client family. Thus, the provision of a culturally sensitive service can be at odds with the need to protect children from harm. This issue is seen as best addressed on a case by case basis. This study is significant because it has shown that 'over-identification' is an important work practice issue in this matter. It has also used empirical evidence to inform best practice principles regarding ethnic matching.
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    Journal Title
    Children and Youth Services Review
    Volume
    35
    Issue
    2
    DOI
    https://doi.org/10.1016/j.childyouth.2012.11.012
    Copyright Statement
    © 2013 Elsevier. This is the author-manuscript version of this paper. Reproduced in accordance with the copyright policy of the publisher. Please refer to the journal's website for access to the definitive, published version.
    Subject
    Applied economics
    Social work
    Clinical social work practice
    Publication URI
    http://hdl.handle.net/10072/59613
    Collection
    • Journal articles

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