Philip Gilligan

Child sexual abuse among Asian communities: Developing materials to raise awareness in Bradford

This article starts from a recognition that child sexual abuse is perpetrated in all communities, but appears to be under-reported to varying degrees in different communities. It acknowledges that children who have been sexually abused will usually benefit from services designed to assist them in moving on from this experience and to provide future protection from perpetrators. It notes, in particular, the apparent disproportionately low take-up of relevant services by members of Asian communities in Britain. It places this in the context of reported responses to child sexual abuse in Pakistan, India and Bangladesh and explores the likely impact of factors arising from cultural norms in relation to family structure and role relationships. It reports on work begun within Asian communities in Bradford to increase awareness of and appropriate responses to child sexual abuse which hopefully address issues which are of relevance elsewhere. In particular, it discusses responses to a preliminary questionnaire, discussions with community groups, a consultation event held in April 2003, and a multilingual information booklet produced as a result. It urges respectful dialogue with women, men, children and young people in Asian communities as being essential to progress regarding appropriate responses to child sexual abuse.

Faith-based Organisations and UK Welfare Services: Exploring Some Ongoing Dilemmas

Faith-based organisations (FBOs) have delivered services to vulnerable people for many years. They are frequently characterised by values also to be found within social work, notably a commitment to social justice. In the context of recent attempts by governments, notably in the USA, United Kingdom and Australia, to ‘roll-back’ the state, to ‘marketise’ and ‘privatise’ welfare services, FBOs are increasingly called-upon to tender for and volunteer to provide public services, including ‘social work’. In the United Kingdom, as elsewhere, religious beliefs are central to how many people conduct themselves, especially in response to personal crises and challenges. The authors’ previous research indicates that religious beliefs and traditions may have a profound impact (for good or ill or for both) on the actions of both individual service users and practitioners, but that social workers and agencies (whether faith-based or not) are often ill equipped to respond appropriately. They acknowledge both the positive contributions to public welfare of many faith-based organisations and the potential dangers inherent in relying on such agencies for services to vulnerable people. The authors argue that evaluations need to consider the effectiveness, appropriateness, ‘costs’ and ‘benefits’ of individual faith-based services in their particular contexts, and that their contribution needs to be analysed in relation to the varied nature and variable impact of such services. Social work has often struggled in its aim of challenging and addressing the structural causes of inequality as its efforts have been channelled towards meeting the needs of the individual. Current policy proposals provide potential opportunities to review and assess the contribution of neo-liberal approaches to welfare and to promote alliances amongst those members of different FBOs and other welfare providers to agree more collective, community-based approaches with an agreed agenda of creating a fairer society.

The Challenge of Cultural Explanations and Religious Requirements for Children with Autistic Spectrum Conditions: South Asian Muslim Parents in Bradford, England

The development in Bradford, England, of specific training materials for parents from Muslim communities of Pakistani origin caring for children with autistic spectrum conditions is outlined, with particular emphasis on challenges arising from non-scientific ‘religious’ explanations for childrens conditions and from parents feelings of obligation to ensure that children meet religious requirements. Relevant literature is reviewed and parents’ responses to materials reported and discussed. It is suggested that such parents will benefit from opportunities to explore cultural ideas about causality with each other and with informed and non-judgmental professionals and to share concerns around matters such as washing and prayer.

‘It isn’t discussed’. Religion, belief and practice teaching

This paper discusses the question of whether practice teachers and others involved in social work education are giving sufficient attention to assisting students to explore the potential significance of religion (or other identifiable sets of beliefs) to their practice, to their own ‘worldview’ and to the lives and perspectives of service users. In doing so, it draws on direct experience and relevant literature, as well as semi-structured interviews with individual practice teachers and students and the results of a questionnaire. The paper argues that, many practice teachers and others need to urgently review their practice with regard to the exploration of issues concerning religion and belief with students, if they are to become competent social workers.

Evaluating the Impact of Pyramid for Parents Courses in North Town in 2009/10: Listening to the Views of Mothers and Fathers of Primary School Children.

Nine Children’s Services Department Pyramid for Parents courses were attended by a total of 68 parents whose children attend primary schools in North Town. The evaluation gave particular emphasis to the views of 45 mothers and 13 fathers who contributed to semi-structured discussions about what they hoped to gain from participation and whether and how the course had contributed to improvements in interactions with their children. Qualitative data are augmented by ‘before’ and ‘after’ data from Rosenburg Self-Esteem measures and a variety of internal documents. Parents agreed to attend courses, usually at the suggestion of and with encouragement from professionals. Several had current involvement from children’s social care and some were involved in care proceedings. The programme was funded through the Beacon Healthy Schools Peer Parenting Support Project and was one of seven projects being evaluated. The qualitative data suggest very high levels of satisfaction with the course, facilitators and immediate outcomes. Rosenburg Self-Esteem data indicate an increase in self-esteem amongst a majority of participants. Overall, the findings suggest that Pyramid for Parents provided a beneficial resource for these parents. They welcomed its flexibility and highlighted the importance of appropriate styles of facilitation and of support from other participants.