Perceptions of school social workers in Hong Kong: The function, role, and challenges

Abstract

School social work service is one form of social work to assist students in dealing with their academic, social or emotional problems and to meet their developmental needs in order to prepare them for adulthood. In what ways can school social work practitioners achieve these aims? How do they know whether these aims can be achieved? Service users, including students and their parents, also expect to receive effective and quality school social work services. This paper examines the development and function of social work services both in schools and agencies in Hong Kong. Moreover, it will look at the role of practicing school social workers in delivering effective school social work practice to young people. Based upon in-depth interviews with sixteen school social workers, this study explores the way school social workers defined ‘effectiveness’ and ‘quality’ of their services in response to the changing needs of young people. This qualitative study also sheds light on how organizational and educational approaches can foster the effectiveness of school social work in Hong Kong.