Ethnicity and Social Care.ppt

1、Ethnicity and Social Care,A Model for Change,Overview,Recent trends in immigration Policy issues Current responses to immigrants needs Resulting challenge for the social care profession Key concepts informing positive change Ethnicity Racism Institutional oppression Proposed model for strategic chan

2、ge,Background,Rapid increase of immigration to Ireland Definition and experience of Irish Society is being challengedand changed Unprecedented and increasing perception of difference Recognition of difference raises ethical questions and practical implications for the social care profession,Emerging

3、 trends,Upsurge of individuals and minority groups entering Ireland as refugees or asylum seekers 1994 - 400 applications 2004 (January to June) - 2,118 applications Statistics compiled by the Irish Refugee Council (2004),Policy Issues,Statistical increase has been accompanied by economic and social

4、 challenges to provide services to a culturally and ethnically diverse population Agencies are appropriating existing services As in the Irish community, ethnic minority groups have members who are disabled, elderly, homeless, and socially challenged The social care profession must inform its practi

5、ce with theoretical and skill-based experience in cultural diversity,Challenges Facing the Social Care Profession,To provide adequate and appropriate care for national and non-national service users Over-stretched and under-resourced care services are congested with vulnerable and dependent service

6、users some of whom have little English and unfamiliar cultural practices Difference does not give a license to dilute our legal responsibility or social obligations Confront misperceptions and discriminating allegations,Relevant Concepts,A response to these policy issues and challenges merits an exp

7、loration of three key concepts Ethnicity Racism Oppression,Ethnicity,Ethnicity is linked with identity and difference Ireland has been classified as a mono-cultural society with social institutions re-enforcing sameness Ethnic and other minority communities have been socially stratified (i.e. ranked

8、) and organised in a subordinate fashion.being allowed at the very most to become Irish sub-cultures,Racism,Evidence in Ireland of beliefs (or an action based on beliefs) that one racial category is considered superior or inferior to another racial category Individuals or groups considered different

9、 experience deliberate or unintentional social disadvantage,Oppression,A structure of hierarchical controls and inequality in society One group systematically dominates another by means of interrelated social practices and systems Oppression is not a random affairit is predictable We can confidently

10、 predict the kind of experience an individual or group will encounterregardless of which member is involved Oppression is often camouflaged and without intent It operates within socially approved and authorised structures It is sometimes difficult to see or feel It may be recognised but viewed as un

11、alterable,Relationship of Key Concepts to Social Care,Although individual care workers may not consciously participate in discriminative or oppressive behaviour, existing frameworks, programmes, and regimes support its functioning and continuation,Irish Social Care at the Crossroads,Will we do care

12、unto them in a patronising, discriminating or oppressive manner.orimplement policies that are representative and inclusive of difference? Will we value and embrace diversity in our social care services? Will we call for and welcome change at all levels of social care services?,A Model for Change,The

13、 following is a four-step process that may facilitate change from institutional oppression to social support, integration, equality, and care The Identifier The Identified The Movement The Beneficiary,The Identifier,Who or what determines and defines a given problem or social issue? On what basis is

14、 it drawn into the public arena? Who sets the standards of what is worthy of disclosure, discussion, treatment, funding, change?,The Identifier (Applied),EU membership calls Irish social services to account for the management and treatment of ethnic minority groups Government departments are reinfor

15、ced by the media and other State agencies Identifiers are sanctioned to inform and direct the organisational structures of social care services,The Identified,What role do the identified have in naming a given problem or situation? What power relationships are in existence between the identifier and

16、 the identified? Are there social structures in place that serve to advantage, disadvantage, or equalise all participants? Are all parties able to participate equally in the process of altering a social dilemma?,The Identified (Applied),Ethnic minorities have been identified by some as different, un

17、worthy and not belonging in Ireland Apart from token contributors, most ethnic members are precluded from naming their care needs or solutions Little value is given to ethnic members own analysis of their circumstances (particularly at an institutional level) There is limited published work by or ab

18、out refugees and asylum seekers regarding their physical and social needs They remain unequal subordinates in a hierarchical and stratified social system,The Movement,Who or what changes? Does change occur as a result of pressure from existing social structures and institutions? Does change come as

19、a result of public awareness, dissatisfaction, sense of justice, economic reality? How is change directed? What path does change take during the process of movement? When is change implemented and by whom or by what?,The Movement (Applied),Will Irish social care develop out of moral commitment and d

20、eliberate policy or as a reaction to service needs for increasing numbers of minority groups Will movement continue to provide limited social and economic resources resulting in minimal care for service users To date, low priority for language, dietary, religious and cultural distinctions exists acr

21、oss the sector Care providers are largely from the dominant Irish culture and with little training in ethnic or cultural diversity,The Beneficiary,Who or what benefits from changeor lack of change? If change occurs, who or what is advantaged or disadvantaged? Is there an economic, social or cultural cost to change or lack of change? If change does not occur, who benefits from the status quo?,The Beneficiary (Applied),Without change, there may be some short-term savings for the exchequerbut there are few social