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Social
work encompasses many different fields of practice. School social workers
provide services to students encountering a wide spectrum of psychosocial and
behavioral challenges at school, home, and society. While school social
workers exist in many countries across the globe, many countries such as
Jordan remain without school social workers. The primary aim of this
qualitative study is to explore the need for school social workers in Jordan.
A secondary purpose is to explore the social and behavioral challenges that
face students as identified by social workers, students, and parents. Lastly,
this study adds to the modest research literature on social work in the
Jordan school system. Using an ecological perspective and systems theory,
this study explores the factors and systems contributing to student
challenges and the lack of school social workers in Jordan.
This
qualitative study utilized a case study design to explore the need for school
social workers in Jordan. Focus groups were conducted using a semi-structured
discussion guide with a purposive sample of 31 in total of teachers, social
workers, and parents in Jordan. Focus group data was tape recorded and
transcribed. Open coding was utilized with NVivo software. Thematic analysis
was conducted to derive four key themes: (1) role of the school social
worker, (2) difference between counselors and social workers, (3) challenges
and barriers for school social workers, and (4) student challenges. In
addition, numerous subthemes were constructed within the four themes.
Findings for this study indicate that there is a need for school social
workers to address numerous challenges among students in Jordanian schools.
Moreover, findings suggest several key socioeconomic challenges in developing
school social workers in Jordan.
Based
on the findings, there are some implications for practice offered: (1) Social
workers in Jordan need to do more research about their roles and how they
could make positive changes; (2) teachers and parents should be educated so
they understand the role of school social work, and how students’ life
environment affects their academic performance; and (3) future research
should continue in the area of school social work interventions and outcomes
in the community of Jordan.
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