Special Guardianship Order: challenges faced by social workers when seeking permanency for children in care.

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CONTENTS

CHAPTER 3 METHODOLOGY3

Introduction3

Research method and design3

Research population and sample4

Research Instrument4

Data collection methods and sampling procedures5

Data analysis6

Ethical considerations6

Informed Consent7

Rationale for using qualitative research methodology7

CHAPTER 4 INTERVIEW FINDINGS8

Introduction (to this chapter)8

Interview Findings8

CHAPTER 5 DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS16

Thematic Analysis16

Behavioural and Sociological Challenges17

Permanency Challenges18

Empowerment Issues of Social Workers19

CHAPTER 5 CONCLUSIONS AND IMPLICATIONS21

Introduction21

Conclusions and implications21

Limitations of the Study22

REFERENCES23

CHAPTER 3 METHODOLOGY

Introduction

Although, SGO was promoted as the ideal arrangement for some children in care, its reputation was changing fast amongst the carers with pros and cons when implementing the order. Therefore, this paper aims to explore the challenges faced by social workers when trying to seek permanency for the children for, whom they are “corporate parents”. Thus, this chapter surveys the methodology used in this study including information of the research design, research population, research instrument, data collection, data analysis and the ethical considerations for collecting data. In addition, the chapter also presents the rationale for using the selected methodology.

Research method and design

According to Hakim (1987), design deals primarily with aims, uses, purposes, intentions and plans (Hakim, 1987). By giving thought to the overall design of a project, one is likely to produce something fit for its purpose (Robson, 2010). The research professionals really need to have an in-depth understanding on how special guardianship orders operate and the experience of those who deal them within local authorities. However, information specific to this research will be tied in to a chosen local authority because other local authorities may operate differently.

The methodology and design of this research will adopt a qualitative phenomenological approach. The term phenomenology is defined by Gall, Gall and Borg (2006) as “the study of the world as it appears to individuals when they place themselves in a state of consciousness that reflects an effort to be free of everyday biases and beliefs” (pp. 481). The selected methodology asserts that the research will focus on the subjective experience of the individuals involved and will seek to understand and describe what had happened to them in their own point of view (Robson, 2010). The inductive nature of a qualitative method allows information to be collected from what is known to more generalised opinions.

Research population and sample

Research population is defined as a group of people possessing the similar physical characteristics (Cresswell, 2009, pp n.d). Therefore, this research will be conducted within a chosen local authority and will aim to involve a team of social workers who have had involvements in special guardianships orders.

Likewise, a sample is defined as a group of individuals, who have been selected from a population in a research study (Frankfort-Nachmias & Leon-Guerrero, 1997, pp. n.d). Moreover, the procedure of identifying the subgroup of these individuals from a statistical population is known as sampling. Sampling is executed to assess the characteristics of the complete statistical population. Thus, the sample for the proposed study will be selected from a team of social workers, who have had involvements in special guardianships orders, ...