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An exploratory study of school social work and counselling practices in Singapore secondary schools : implications for schools and practitioners
Author
Lim, Adrian Peng Ann
Supervisor
Soong, Cecilia Foong Har
Abstract
This exploratory study on School Social Work(SSW) and School Counselling(SC) Practices seeks to find out the various types and forms of services provided by social workers and counsellors it1 the Singapore's secondary schools. Five hypothetical practice models were explored in the study against five proposed practice dimensions. This largely qualitative study first used a short preliminary survey which was sent to all secondary schools to find out the extent of school social work and counselling services available. A pilot study was conducted before the eventual 19-item semistructured interview schedule was used to look into in-depth professional practice and operational issues. Issues of role clarity, practice visibility, practice support, accountability, strengths and limitations are covered to see how the practice has promoted, maintained and impeded the delivery of these services.
Chapter One explains the purpose, rationale, research problem and main issues that this research seeks to uncover. Chapter Two is the literature review that traces the earliest to current developments of social work in education and counselling both in the West and in Singapore. Chapter Three outlines the means this largely qualitative research is carried out. Chapter Four discusses the results of the survey and interviews. From a preliminary survey that covered 63% of all the 147 secondary schools, the majority (47.2%) of the sample surveyed utilised social workers and counsellors from social service agencies and family service centres(FSC) on a part-time basis. Thirty-eight practitioners participated in the structured interview that sought to explore how their professional services were practised in 50 secondary schools. The results of the interview supported the existence of the proposed five practice models. Chapter Five discusses the results and draws implications and recommendations proposed for the school system, professional practitioners, social service organisations, training and educational policy makers. The researcher forsees a greater usage of these services over the next few years and beyond. School social work and school counselling expertise need to be consolidated and developed in the face of the increasingly challenging social climate and competitive economic and educational system in Singapore.
Chapter One explains the purpose, rationale, research problem and main issues that this research seeks to uncover. Chapter Two is the literature review that traces the earliest to current developments of social work in education and counselling both in the West and in Singapore. Chapter Three outlines the means this largely qualitative research is carried out. Chapter Four discusses the results of the survey and interviews. From a preliminary survey that covered 63% of all the 147 secondary schools, the majority (47.2%) of the sample surveyed utilised social workers and counsellors from social service agencies and family service centres(FSC) on a part-time basis. Thirty-eight practitioners participated in the structured interview that sought to explore how their professional services were practised in 50 secondary schools. The results of the interview supported the existence of the proposed five practice models. Chapter Five discusses the results and draws implications and recommendations proposed for the school system, professional practitioners, social service organisations, training and educational policy makers. The researcher forsees a greater usage of these services over the next few years and beyond. School social work and school counselling expertise need to be consolidated and developed in the face of the increasingly challenging social climate and competitive economic and educational system in Singapore.
Date Issued
1999
Call Number
LB1620.4 Lim
Date Submitted
1999