Arthur Anscombe

International Field Experience in Social Work: Outcomes of a Short-Term Study Abroad Programme to India

This paper describes the development of an accessible, short-term (two-week) international field experience programme for distance education and on-campus social work students at a regional university in Australia. Pre-programme and post-programme evaluation surveys were undertaken and results indicate that the international study experience had significant positive impacts on student learning, student group cohesion, professional commitment and motivation as well as an enhanced appreciation of international social work, grassroots community development work, cultural diversity, human rights and social justice issues. Other positive impacts included ongoing relationships with social justice projects in India and positive, practical contributions to placement agencies during the active phase of the programme. The need for adequate academic preparation, reciprocity, as well as ongoing academic support and facilitation of short-term study abroad programmes is reinforced.

What Can We Do to Make Changes?—Virginia (Ginni) Hall, AO

Virginia (Ginni) Hall had a long career spanning nursing, youth work, social work and social work education. In a voluntary/community service capacity, Ginni has been involved in community health, legal aid, women’s services, family and children’s services, youth services, aged care, electoral reform, community housing, Indigenous issues, international development and justice, and environmental initiatives. She is known for her independence and courage, her energy, dedication and resilience, and her resourcefulness, humanity and humility. While her award of an Order of Australia Medal in 2014 shows the esteem she is held in by her colleagues and the broader community, Ginni remains down-to-earth, with a keen sense of humour, and in conversation describes herself as a bit of a “ratbag”.

Introduction—The Role of Virtues in Social Work Practice

This book presents ten short biographies of professional social workers who have made significant contributions to the wellbeing of individuals, families and communities, and to the effective functioning of government and non-government organisations. The biographies, and associated discussions, aim to help the reader to see the inspiring qualities of character—the virtues—which have helped these social workers to achieve what they have. The main purpose of this introductory chapter is to explain how we understand the nature of virtue and why we see it as important in social work practice. Virtuous action, as we understand it, is action that is appropriate to the situation that confronts a social worker. Hence, we also provide a brief outline of the socio-economic and political contexts in which the subjects of these biographies worked. We explain, too, how the subjects of the biographies were chosen, and the methods (and their limitations) used to develop their biographies. Finally, we provide a very brief summary of the order and content of the biographies.

Virtue-Led Social Work Practice

The ten biographies presented in this book offer an important opportunity for social work/social welfare/community and social development/human services students, practitioners and educators, and any general reader to look at these professionals’ life stories and some of the virtues we have identified and interpreted from those stories. What is the significance of these biographies? What virtues are demonstrated in their practices? What might we learn from them? Do they have any potential to influence ourselves and our practice? They may or may not be exemplary and we are hesitant to call them so, and we leave it to readers to see what they think. However, the subjects’ lifelong practice stories speak of their practical wisdom, at least to some extent in some respects. While reflecting on these biographies and their virtues, we must pose a crucial question: So what? In this concluding chapter we try to address this question by looking at the possibilities and consequences of virtue-led social work practice, some of the common or core virtues identified in the ten biographies, and the potential for virtue-led social work practice in the future.

Respect and Integrity—John Gavaghan

Positively and universally respected by those who know of his work, John Gavaghan is known for his commitment to clients, unfailing fairness, warmth and good humour, optimism and hope, and an ability to courageously tackle difficult and entrenched issues while operating reflectively and in the interests of others. He has been described as a man who is able to integrate the compassion of the heart with the intellect of the head.

What You Know Plays Out in Action—Jill Wilson, AO

Jill Wilson is Professor of social work in the School of Nursing, Midwifery and Social Work at the University of Queensland (UQ). Her particular interests in social work are aged care policy and practice—older people’s assets, financial abuse and residential aged care; community care for older people; intellectual disability service models; field education and staff supervision; as well as general social work practice. The university’s research website lists 87 publications for Jill—books, journal articles and referred articles; 21 grants administered by the university; and 28 past or present Higher Degree students. She has worked as a social worker in the areas of intellectual disability, child protection and ageing. As an academic at UQ she has taught social work practice, leadership and supervision. She was awarded an Order of Australia (AO) in 2004. Jill holds a Bachelor of Social Studies degree, a Master of Social Work and a doctorate degree from UQ.