Voices from the Field

Enhancing Refugee Social Work Education through Practitioner Insights

Abstract

The following presents three methodologically identical original studies on the social work response to the global refugee crisis in Germany, Lebanon, and Greece between 2016 and 2023. It reveals key patterns and important insights into refugees' greatest needs, the essential skills and knowledge social workers developed to support refugees, imperatives for self-care and coping strategies for social workers, and recommendations for optimal continuing education and training. Methodologically, this article synthesizes findings from three original research projects through a narrative literature review, that incorporates additional evidence-based literature. Key findings can be summarized as such: Participants show a strong preference for practical learning. It is noted that they often become overwhelmed by the scale of needs, and by real-time challenges related to health, mental health, systems, laws, and cultural differences, for which they feel unprepared. Although they recognize the importance of continuing education and training, finding the time and resources to improve in these areas is extremely challenging. Due to the work’s intensity, personal coping capacities are often stretched beyond their limits, leaving them with inadequate coping strategies and resources. Nonetheless, many participants describe effective personal coping methods that could benefit others in similar roles. As for conclusions and implications, these findings underscore the need for social work educators to address the urgent demands faced by social workers in the global refugee crisis, where many lives are at stake. Educators must equip future social workers with critical skills, knowledge for refugee practice, and guide the development of relevant content areas for ongoing education and training.