Exploring the Insider Role in Community Practice Within Diverse Communities

Recognizing and bridging the gaps between those who are part of a community and those from mainstream culture is an important one for community social work. There is however, little research on the experience and perception of the insider worker. This paper reports on a SSHRC funded project that is...

Full description

Bibliographic Details
Main Authors: Bill Lee, Susan McGrath, Ken Moffatt, Usha George
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: University of Windsor 2018-12-01
Series:Critical Social Work
Online Access:https://ojs.uwindsor.ca/index.php/csw/article/view/5651
Description
Summary:Recognizing and bridging the gaps between those who are part of a community and those from mainstream culture is an important one for community social work. There is however, little research on the experience and perception of the insider worker. This paper reports on a SSHRC funded project that is focused on community practice in marginalized communities. Community workers from four diverse communities were interviewed. An issue that recurred throughout was the significance of their personal location. This paper will outline some of the key elements that appear to provide the workers with important advantages and some dilemmas. The paper argues that it is crucial for community social work practice to listen to the voices of insider community workers and the issues they raise.
ISSN:1543-9372