Youth at Risk in Collective Processes of Transformation from Target Group to Appropriators of School Social Work
Author(s):
Anke Spies (presenting / submitting)
Conference:
ECER 2011
Network:
5. Children and Youth at Risk and Urban Education
Format:
Paper

Session Information

05 SES 13 B, Urban Education and Children and Youth at Risk

Paper Session

Time:
2011-09-16
10:30-12:00
Room:
JK 27/106,G, 42
Chair:
Ross Deuchar

Contribution

 

* Proposal Information

Young people in low qualifying education streams within Germanys highly separating school system are multiply disadvantaged: students with migration backgrounds and lower socioeconomic status are overrepresented in these education formats, access to higher education is severely limited and the education certificates the young people are able to obtain in these institutions are often not sufficient to enable them successful entry into jobs and vocational training. These imbalances have been stated in a number of international comparative studies, from the OECD to the UN (cf. Liebig 2007, UN 2007, Bertram 2006).

School social work is frequently implemented in these education streams, aiming at minimizing risks of exclusion and preserving inclusion opportunities, constantly taking the life environment and resources of the young people into account (Spies/Pötter 2011).

An important aspect is to determine, how school social work reaches its target group and under which conditions, children and young adults accept this support. Here, collective as well as individual orientations of young people are of relevance.

In this paper I will present results from group discussions with students (7th class), where the experiences of them and their influence in shaping collective attitudes were assessed.

Results of this research can be utilized to adjust concepts of school social work to clearer reflect the requirements and needs of the students.

Method

* Methodology or Methods/ Research Instruments or Sources Used: In three group discussions, classes of 7th standard boys and girls agreed to speak about their experiences with school social work. The data was then analysed with a focus on biographical orientations, as particularly in youth, these are often formed, tested and evaluated in collective processes. They can become visible in group discussions, especially, if young people, as in the research approach of Loos/Schäffer (2001), primarily discuss among themselves with minimal inputs from the research team.

Expected Outcomes

* Conclusions, Expected Outcomes or Findings: On the basis of the empirical data a model was developed to describe the processes of transformation of young people from targets of school social work to users and then to appropriators. A special focus was placed on sensitive areas in these transformations, with regard to trust in the development of the working relationship and the motivations of the students as well as the reversibility of these processes. Conclusions are drawn with regard to the areas of expertise and facets of concepts of school social work, especially as the data clearly shows the importance of open, voluntarily attended attractive leisure activities offered within school social work and depending also on school-climatic conditions. These are shown to be essential to gain trust and to influence collective orientations – and only with this basis, elements of counselling can be implemented effectively. If these processes were successful and young people became appropriators of school social work, they were able to integrate the use of counselling services into their everyday lives.

References

* References Bertram, Hans (2006): Zur Lage der Kinder in Deutschland: Politik für Kinder als Zukunftsgestaltung. Innocenti Working Paper No. 2006-02. UNICEF Innocenti Research Centre: Florence. Liebig, Thomas (2007): The labour market integration of immigrants in Germany. OECD Social, Employment and Migration Working Papers, No. 47. verfügbar unter: http://www.oecd.org/dataoecd/28/5/38163889.pdf (letzter Zugriff 12.8.2010) Loos, Peter/Schäffer, Burkhard (Hrsg.) (2001): Das Gruppendiskussionsverfahren – Theoretische Grundlagen und empirische Anwendung. Leske + Budrich Verlag: Opladen. Spies, Anke/Pötter, Nicole 2011: Soziale Arbeit an Schulen – Einführung in die Schulsozialarbeit. VS: Wiesbaden. United Nations (2007): Implementation of General Assembly Resolution 60/251 of 15 March 2006 entitled “Human Rights Council”. Report of the Special Rapporteur on the right to education, Vernor Muñoz. Mission to Germany.

Author Information

Anke Spies (presenting / submitting)
Carl von Ossietzky Universität Oldenburg
Department for Education
Oldenburg

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