Exploring minority social worker’s interactions with minority families in the Norwegian child welfare system.

Abstract

This research investigates the experiences of social workers with ethnic minority backgrounds working within the Norwegian child welfare system (CWS) concerning their interactions with children and families from ethnic minority backgrounds. The study aims to understand how these social workers perceive and navigate working within the CWS in relation to certain values and understanding of minority families. Qualitative interviews were conducted with social workers from minority backgrounds, employed in the CWS in Oslo, Norway. The research employed thematic analysis to identify recurring patterns, sections, and subsections in the data, drawing on theoretical frameworks considering intersectionality, organizational theory, and finally, professional knowledge and identity, which are not necessary learned from a person’s culture, but from their experiences. The findings reveal a diverse range of motivations, suggestions, perspectives, and approaches among social workers in the CWS. This research sheds light on the complex dynamics involved in the interactions between social workers from minority backgrounds and minority families in the Norwegian CWS. It highlights the importance of cultural awareness and professional identity in terms of the social work professions and identifying as minorities. In shaping these interactions, it is essential for social workers to navigate and consider the unique cultural backgrounds of the children and families they serve.