Louise Whitaker - Academia.edu (original) (raw)

Papers by Louise Whitaker

I would like to sincerely thank the eight women, the mothers who participated in this study, who ... more I would like to sincerely thank the eight women, the mothers who participated in this study, who shared their ideas and stories with such generosity and honesty. Their tenacity and creativity is truly inspiring. I would also like to thank my supervisors. Sincere thanks to Professor Trevor Parmenter for his steadfast support throughout this study. Thanks also to Michelle Donelly for her dedication and attention to detail and Marie Knox for her words of encouragement. The broader research project, to which this study contributed, was funded by an Australian Research Council (ARC) grant. The ARC grant funded the scholarship that enabled me to complete this study. I am indeed grateful for this support. Finally, thanks, as always, to Rosemary. iv Table of Contents Declaration………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………….. ii Dedication ………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………….. iii Acknowledgements…………………………………………………………………………………………………………………….. iv Table of Contents………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………… v List of Tables……………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………….. x List of Figures………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………….…… x List of Textboxes …………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………. x The Beginning …………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………….. 1 Chapter One…………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………. 1

Alternative Law Journal, Apr 1, 2001

Journal of Intercultural Studies, Sep 3, 2021

ABSTRACT This article documents the experiences of refugee and migrant backgrounds women residing... more ABSTRACT This article documents the experiences of refugee and migrant backgrounds women residing in non-metropolitan areas of Australia, as they created works for the Stories to Freedom public exhibitions. In addition to confirming the positive impact of creative practice on the women’s wellbeing, this research revealed the women’s perceptions of social inclusion. Engaging in these activities increased feelings of happiness, confidence and pride. Visitors to the exhibitions commented on feeling inspired, which allowed the women to feel welcome and develop a sense of connectedness and belonging in their communities. This article makes an important original contribution to the growing body of literature in refugee studies and arts-based practice research. It uses a collaborative approach to acknowledge the success of arts practice in altering the negative narrative about ‘newcomers’, and progresses understanding of social inclusion. It does so by presenting a new case study, located in three different geographic locations within non-metropolitan Australian communities. Additionally, it details a unique, award winning, innovative community-engaged research process, through which a team of researchers were able to support and inspire new program directions, including the suggestion for the creative arts component which was embraced enthusiastically by participants and staff.

Journal of social inclusion, Aug 31, 2018

Background: Social inclusion has been defined as an interaction between major life domains, inclu... more Background: Social inclusion has been defined as an interaction between major life domains, including interpersonal relationships and community participation among other factors. Understanding the manner in which these life domains may interconnect could inform efforts to promote social inclusion. This paper explores the role of personal support network members in establishing and maintaining community participation of a person with an intellectual disability. Method: An ethnographic research design allowed exploration of network interactions over a three-year period. In-depth interviews and participant observations were undertaken with nine people with an intellectual disability and their network members. Results: The networks promoted participation using various strategies. The person and their network gathered and shared information to determine what was meaningful to the person. Information about success was used to adapt developing strategies, enhance support, and build on existing gains. Conclusions: Personal networks provided insight into the practical and relational aspects of participation, and the importance of balancing risk and autonomy, vulnerability and freedom. Respect for the personhood, importance and dignity of each person at the centre of the network influenced this work.

Journal of social inclusion, Dec 30, 2018

I would call it a social capital building exercise. So, this is really about making those connect... more I would call it a social capital building exercise. So, this is really about making those connections that my clients don't come with automatically. So when I was a kid growing up, I had my grandma, my mother and my aunties, and my neighbours, and so when I wanted to learn things like how to drive a car or how to get a job, I had other people besides my parents who I could go to and I had this sort of network of supports to help me to grow up and achieve what I wanted to achieve. My clients are coming through all by themselves a lot of the time and they don't have this social network. So they have to build it, and it's really hard to build it when you don't speak the language and you don't understand the culture. So, I think they just need a bridge, … people to help me understand my new life (Program staff).

Journal of Substance Use, Oct 14, 2019

Background: Peer support has long featured in substance abuse treatment. A recent international s... more Background: Peer support has long featured in substance abuse treatment. A recent international shift has taken place toward a recovery-orientated approach to treatment which promotes the incorporation of peer support workers and thus highlighting the need for evidence-based knowledge in this area. Method: A systematic literature review was conducted using ProQuest and Ebsco databases, Academic Search Premier, PsycARTICLES, Psychology and Behavioral Sciences Collection, PsycINFO. The search terms included peer support (and related terms) and lived experience (and related terms) and addiction (and related terms). Reference lists and personal referrals to specific papers were also incorporated. Results: A total of 618 papers were identified. Of that total, 24 papers were selected as relevant through reflecting on the stated aim of the review. Conclusion: Benefits and challenges where identified as co-existing within the peer support work role. The results of the literature review indicate benefits of increased confidence, stability, structure, income, and an opportunity to gain workplace skills. The challenges identified are integration into the workplace, triggers, and unclear job descriptions and boundaries. A gap in the literature has been revealed with regards to peer support workers in substance abuse treatment services and how their role impacts their recovery.

Work-a Journal of Prevention Assessment & Rehabilitation, 2010

Being in paid employment is socially valued, and is linked to health, financial security and time... more Being in paid employment is socially valued, and is linked to health, financial security and time use. Issues arising from a lack of occupational choice and control, and from diminished role partnerships are particularly problematic in the lives of people with an intellectual disability. Informal support networks are shown to influence work opportunities for people without disabilities, but their impact on the work experiences of people with disability has not been thoroughly explored. The experience of 'work' and preparation for work was explored with a group of four people with an intellectual disability (the participants) and the key members of their informal support networks (network members) in New South Wales, Australia. Network members and participants were interviewed and participant observations of work and other activities were undertaken. Data analysis included open, conceptual and thematic coding. Data analysis software assisted in managing the large datasets across multiple team members. The insight and actions of network members created and sustained the employment and support opportunities that effectively matched the needs and interests of the participants. Recommendations for future research are outlined.

Australian Geographer, Jan 5, 2023

Social Work Education, May 12, 2022

Reflective Practice, Jan 22, 2019

Many social welfare and social work students struggle to demonstrate competence in the complex pr... more Many social welfare and social work students struggle to demonstrate competence in the complex process of critical reflection through to the stage of transformed thinking and action. Examples of how students learn critical reflection as an interpretive experience are scarce. This paper presents, as a case study, the process one of the authors experienced while critically reflecting on teaching critical reflection. The paper explores how this approach unlocked disturbing insights into how personally held values, views and knowledge influenced her performance relating to teaching critical reflection. Experiencing what she asks of her students raised questions regarding the duty of care that social welfare and social work educators have to ensure their students engage in critical, and transformative, self-discovery in safe and supportive ways. We propose that in the early stages of social welfare and social work degrees, rather than assessing students' critical reflection of an event, educators examine students' capacity to learn critical reflection in a different way. Drawing on critical hermeneutics, and a theory of visual thinking, the paper outlines the cognitive map of a process of critical reflection on teaching critical reflection. We present this as a metaphor of walking through a rainforest.

Social Work Education, Mar 22, 2022

Social Work Education, Nov 10, 2019

This paper reports findings of the second phase of a formative peer review into the critical refl... more This paper reports findings of the second phase of a formative peer review into the critical reflection curricula in a Bachelor of Social Welfare course in a university in regional Australia. This study investigated the scaffolding of the 'declared' critical reflection curricula. It extends the first phase of the review, which was an analysis of the critical reflection assessment tasks; the 'learned' curricula (English 1978, cited in). During phase one, the authors learned most students did not engage with critical reflection comprehensively. Therefore, in this phase we critically examined how critical reflection was described in the written curricula throughout the course. Findings revealed the curricula informed students about reflective processes, and linked critical reflection to the development of personal and interpersonal communication skills, cultural safety, ethical practice, empowering practice, and the integration of theory and practice. However, instead of introducing critical reflection incrementally across the entire course, comprehensive and complex descriptions about critical reflection were introduced repeatedly from the beginning of the course. Conclusions include how the authors will use analysis of the 'declared' curricula to explicitly guide students through the scaffolding of critical reflection curricula, including incorporating a map of this scaffolding into course-wide learning materials.

2020 ANZSWWER Symposium and NFEN Workshop, Nov 19, 2020

5th International Conference on Practice Research, 2021

Social Work Education, 2022