Chapter One provides a background to the DP system in Ireland and explores relevant literature re... more Chapter One provides a background to the DP system in Ireland and explores relevant literature relating to the DP system and relating to transitions. Chapter Two examines the research data by looking at how life in DP has an impact on what is to follow. It also looks at people's responses when the long awaited letter of acceptance is received. Chapter Three looks at the journey that begins when status is achieved and as people try to make the move out of DP. In particular, it explores the challenges that people face as they attempt to make the transition out of DP. Chapter Four focuses on the evidence in the data about education, employment and family reunification. Chapter Five presents evidence-based recommendations about how the process of transition might be improved and strengthened by paying attention to the views and experiences of those who have undertaken this journey.
A qualitative study was conducted to address staff&am... more A qualitative study was conducted to address staff's views of bereavement care in a large hospital setting. Two focus-groups and 1 interview were attended by 21 self-selected staff. The qualitative analysis yielded the following: (a) a staff training program within a structured bereavement care service may give staff a sense of confidence and pride in this aspect of their work; (b) a whole-hospital approach to bereavement care may offer an alternative model to individual clinical services; (c) the question is raised as to whether the presence of a bereavement co-ordinator helps contain staff anxiety and other painful emotions generated by contact with the dying and bereaved; and (d) the potential role of ancillary staff in bereavement care warrants more study.
Reflections on the use of community based participatory research to affect social and political c... more Reflections on the use of community based participatory research to affect social and political change: examples from research with refugees and older people in Ireland Machnamh ar úsáid thaighde rannpháirtíochta atá bunaithe ar an gcomhphobal chun athrú sóisialta agus polaitiúil a chur i bhfeidhm: samplaí ó thaighde le dídeanaithe agus le daoine níos sine in Éirinn
Social Work & Social Sciences Review, Mar 21, 2020
: Asylum seekers are often considered by researchers to be ‘hidden’ or ‘hard to reach’. Yet, issu... more : Asylum seekers are often considered by researchers to be ‘hidden’ or ‘hard to reach’. Yet, issues that impact on them are relevant to social work and its social justice remit. This paper presents research conducted with former asylum seekers to explore their experience of transitioning from ‘Direct Provision’ accommodation into the wider community following the granting of international protection. Ireland’s strategy for integration effectively excludes asylum seekers. They have limited access to work or education and are deprived of supports provided to programme refugees. Using a community-based participatory research methodology, the study illuminates challenges encountered transitioning out of the asylum system and charts the benefits of utilising a collaborative approach to access participants, to facilitate their engagement and to ensure that the research had an impact. It suggests that a partnership approach to research with hidden populations can raise awareness and influence positive social change.
ABSTRACT This article explores issues raised by an earlier Irish study conducted with migrants li... more ABSTRACT This article explores issues raised by an earlier Irish study conducted with migrants living with HIV. The latter highlighted the fact that many of those newly diagnosed with HIV in Ireland are from sub-Saharan African, were in the asylum system when first diagnosed, and were not accessing available supports. This article discusses the impact the current policy of holding asylum seekers in ‘direct provision’ accommodation has on best practice in HIV care and prevention. The challenges facing health care workers providing HIV care in multicultural Ireland, in a system where immigration policies are known to inhibit integration into Irish society, are discussed. The article concludes that to provide adequate support to those living with HIV there may be a need to address the potential adverse impact of ‘direct provision’ accommodation for asylum seekers.
Comment Paper for The EU Mutual Learning Programme in Gender Equality on Support services for vic... more Comment Paper for The EU Mutual Learning Programme in Gender Equality on Support services for victims of violence in asylum and migration
This article begins with an overview of the involvement of Irish social workers in the HIV sector... more This article begins with an overview of the involvement of Irish social workers in the HIV sector over the past 30 years, describing the culturally specific context within which they worked. Drawing on the authors' experience of social work in the area, and on findings from a study conducted with social workers and people living with HIV, a shared perspective on the challenges facing those living with and working with HIV in Ireland is presented. Despite the fact that HIV is now considered a treatable long-term chronic illness, it is suggested that stigma and discrimination, and resulting fears around disclosure, remain key barriers to effective care and prevention. The contribution that social workers can make to support those living with HIV and to challenge such stigma is discussed.
Social Work and Social Sciences Review, 21 (1):34-51 , 2020
Asylum seekers are often considered by researchers to be 'hidden' or 'hard to reach'. Yet, issues... more Asylum seekers are often considered by researchers to be 'hidden' or 'hard to reach'. Yet, issues that impact on them are relevant to social work and its social justice remit. This paper presents research conducted with former asylum seekers to explore their experience of transitioning from 'Direct Provision' accommodation into the wider community following the granting of international protection. Ireland's strategy for integration effectively excludes asylum seekers. They have limited access to work or education and are deprived of supports provided to programme refugees. Using a community-based participatory research methodology, the study illuminates challenges encountered transitioning out of the asylum system and charts the benefits of utilising a collaborative approach to access participants, to facilitate their engagement and to ensure that the research had an impact. It suggests that a partnership approach to research with hidden populations can raise awareness and influence positive social change.
The EU Mutual Learning Programme in Gender Equality on Support services for victims of violence in asylum and migration, 2018
Comment Paper for The EU Mutual Learning Programme in Gender Equality on Support services for vic... more Comment Paper for The EU Mutual Learning Programme in Gender Equality on Support services for victims of violence in asylum and migration
Academic research can be criticised for its lack of social impact in the ‘real world’. Study find... more Academic research can be criticised for its lack of social impact in the ‘real world’. Study findings are often not well understood nor used effectively to shape policy making and practice. These issues are pertinent for practising social workers who often find it difficult to utilise research knowledge to influence the public realm and engage service users in social change. This paper presents two community based participatory research (CBPR) case studies reflecting on learning achieved from carrying out the research: Study 1 relates to refugees and Study 2 relates to older people. It reflects on how CBPR partnership approaches were used to influence social policy and affect social change in organisational and practice environments in the Irish context and also reflects on the challenges and benefits of working with peer researchers and civil society organisations. The case studies suggest there are considerable advantages to adopting a collective advocacy approach using CBPR, including: creating meaningful impact that has relevance for policy and practice; facilitating the engagement of universities with civic society; and providing a mechanism whereby social workers can engage in the pursuit of social justice for vulnerable communities with whom they work.
This article begins with an overview of the involvement of Irish social workers in the HIV sector... more This article begins with an overview of the involvement of Irish social workers in the HIV sector over the past 30 years, describing the culturally specific con- text within which they worked. Drawing on the authors’ experience of social work in the area, and on findings from a study conducted with social workers and people living with HIV, a shared perspective on the challenges facing those living with and working with HIV in Ireland is presented. Despite the fact that HIV is now considered a treatable long-term chronic illness, it is suggested that stigma and discrimination, and resulting fears around disclosure, remain key barriers to effective care and prevention. The contribution that social workers can make to support those living with HIV and to challenge such stigma is discussed.
Book of Abstracts, 6th European Conference for Social Work Research 'Reflective social work practices in contemporary societies: dialogues and new pathways between praxis and research', Lisbon, Spain, 30th Mar-1st Apr, ESWRA,, 2016
Social Work Education in Europe: towards 2025; European Association of Schools of Social Work (EASSW) Conference Book of Abstracts, Bicocca University, Milan, Italy, 29th June - 2nd July, 2015
Chapter One provides a background to the DP system in Ireland and explores relevant literature re... more Chapter One provides a background to the DP system in Ireland and explores relevant literature relating to the DP system and relating to transitions. Chapter Two examines the research data by looking at how life in DP has an impact on what is to follow. It also looks at people's responses when the long awaited letter of acceptance is received. Chapter Three looks at the journey that begins when status is achieved and as people try to make the move out of DP. In particular, it explores the challenges that people face as they attempt to make the transition out of DP. Chapter Four focuses on the evidence in the data about education, employment and family reunification. Chapter Five presents evidence-based recommendations about how the process of transition might be improved and strengthened by paying attention to the views and experiences of those who have undertaken this journey.
A qualitative study was conducted to address staff&am... more A qualitative study was conducted to address staff's views of bereavement care in a large hospital setting. Two focus-groups and 1 interview were attended by 21 self-selected staff. The qualitative analysis yielded the following: (a) a staff training program within a structured bereavement care service may give staff a sense of confidence and pride in this aspect of their work; (b) a whole-hospital approach to bereavement care may offer an alternative model to individual clinical services; (c) the question is raised as to whether the presence of a bereavement co-ordinator helps contain staff anxiety and other painful emotions generated by contact with the dying and bereaved; and (d) the potential role of ancillary staff in bereavement care warrants more study.
Reflections on the use of community based participatory research to affect social and political c... more Reflections on the use of community based participatory research to affect social and political change: examples from research with refugees and older people in Ireland Machnamh ar úsáid thaighde rannpháirtíochta atá bunaithe ar an gcomhphobal chun athrú sóisialta agus polaitiúil a chur i bhfeidhm: samplaí ó thaighde le dídeanaithe agus le daoine níos sine in Éirinn
Social Work & Social Sciences Review, Mar 21, 2020
: Asylum seekers are often considered by researchers to be ‘hidden’ or ‘hard to reach’. Yet, issu... more : Asylum seekers are often considered by researchers to be ‘hidden’ or ‘hard to reach’. Yet, issues that impact on them are relevant to social work and its social justice remit. This paper presents research conducted with former asylum seekers to explore their experience of transitioning from ‘Direct Provision’ accommodation into the wider community following the granting of international protection. Ireland’s strategy for integration effectively excludes asylum seekers. They have limited access to work or education and are deprived of supports provided to programme refugees. Using a community-based participatory research methodology, the study illuminates challenges encountered transitioning out of the asylum system and charts the benefits of utilising a collaborative approach to access participants, to facilitate their engagement and to ensure that the research had an impact. It suggests that a partnership approach to research with hidden populations can raise awareness and influence positive social change.
ABSTRACT This article explores issues raised by an earlier Irish study conducted with migrants li... more ABSTRACT This article explores issues raised by an earlier Irish study conducted with migrants living with HIV. The latter highlighted the fact that many of those newly diagnosed with HIV in Ireland are from sub-Saharan African, were in the asylum system when first diagnosed, and were not accessing available supports. This article discusses the impact the current policy of holding asylum seekers in ‘direct provision’ accommodation has on best practice in HIV care and prevention. The challenges facing health care workers providing HIV care in multicultural Ireland, in a system where immigration policies are known to inhibit integration into Irish society, are discussed. The article concludes that to provide adequate support to those living with HIV there may be a need to address the potential adverse impact of ‘direct provision’ accommodation for asylum seekers.
Comment Paper for The EU Mutual Learning Programme in Gender Equality on Support services for vic... more Comment Paper for The EU Mutual Learning Programme in Gender Equality on Support services for victims of violence in asylum and migration
This article begins with an overview of the involvement of Irish social workers in the HIV sector... more This article begins with an overview of the involvement of Irish social workers in the HIV sector over the past 30 years, describing the culturally specific context within which they worked. Drawing on the authors' experience of social work in the area, and on findings from a study conducted with social workers and people living with HIV, a shared perspective on the challenges facing those living with and working with HIV in Ireland is presented. Despite the fact that HIV is now considered a treatable long-term chronic illness, it is suggested that stigma and discrimination, and resulting fears around disclosure, remain key barriers to effective care and prevention. The contribution that social workers can make to support those living with HIV and to challenge such stigma is discussed.
Social Work and Social Sciences Review, 21 (1):34-51 , 2020
Asylum seekers are often considered by researchers to be 'hidden' or 'hard to reach'. Yet, issues... more Asylum seekers are often considered by researchers to be 'hidden' or 'hard to reach'. Yet, issues that impact on them are relevant to social work and its social justice remit. This paper presents research conducted with former asylum seekers to explore their experience of transitioning from 'Direct Provision' accommodation into the wider community following the granting of international protection. Ireland's strategy for integration effectively excludes asylum seekers. They have limited access to work or education and are deprived of supports provided to programme refugees. Using a community-based participatory research methodology, the study illuminates challenges encountered transitioning out of the asylum system and charts the benefits of utilising a collaborative approach to access participants, to facilitate their engagement and to ensure that the research had an impact. It suggests that a partnership approach to research with hidden populations can raise awareness and influence positive social change.
The EU Mutual Learning Programme in Gender Equality on Support services for victims of violence in asylum and migration, 2018
Comment Paper for The EU Mutual Learning Programme in Gender Equality on Support services for vic... more Comment Paper for The EU Mutual Learning Programme in Gender Equality on Support services for victims of violence in asylum and migration
Academic research can be criticised for its lack of social impact in the ‘real world’. Study find... more Academic research can be criticised for its lack of social impact in the ‘real world’. Study findings are often not well understood nor used effectively to shape policy making and practice. These issues are pertinent for practising social workers who often find it difficult to utilise research knowledge to influence the public realm and engage service users in social change. This paper presents two community based participatory research (CBPR) case studies reflecting on learning achieved from carrying out the research: Study 1 relates to refugees and Study 2 relates to older people. It reflects on how CBPR partnership approaches were used to influence social policy and affect social change in organisational and practice environments in the Irish context and also reflects on the challenges and benefits of working with peer researchers and civil society organisations. The case studies suggest there are considerable advantages to adopting a collective advocacy approach using CBPR, including: creating meaningful impact that has relevance for policy and practice; facilitating the engagement of universities with civic society; and providing a mechanism whereby social workers can engage in the pursuit of social justice for vulnerable communities with whom they work.
This article begins with an overview of the involvement of Irish social workers in the HIV sector... more This article begins with an overview of the involvement of Irish social workers in the HIV sector over the past 30 years, describing the culturally specific con- text within which they worked. Drawing on the authors’ experience of social work in the area, and on findings from a study conducted with social workers and people living with HIV, a shared perspective on the challenges facing those living with and working with HIV in Ireland is presented. Despite the fact that HIV is now considered a treatable long-term chronic illness, it is suggested that stigma and discrimination, and resulting fears around disclosure, remain key barriers to effective care and prevention. The contribution that social workers can make to support those living with HIV and to challenge such stigma is discussed.
Book of Abstracts, 6th European Conference for Social Work Research 'Reflective social work practices in contemporary societies: dialogues and new pathways between praxis and research', Lisbon, Spain, 30th Mar-1st Apr, ESWRA,, 2016
Social Work Education in Europe: towards 2025; European Association of Schools of Social Work (EASSW) Conference Book of Abstracts, Bicocca University, Milan, Italy, 29th June - 2nd July, 2015
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Papers by Maeve Foreman