School-Based Social Work Interventions - Essay Example

With tier 1 interventions, schools report minimized disciplinary referrals and other classroom-based problems. Conversely, tier 2 intervention focuses on smaller groups with a specified problem or issue whose intervention may be by a teacher or social worker.

Description of the population studied

The populations studied were school-based social workers in different countries. The researcher gained the most knowledge by communicating with social workers on a personal basis. The most interesting aspects of the social workers were their education level and the services they provide. Though the services provided were similar across different nations, the qualifications differed with Canada requiring a master's and the United Kingdom requiring no national certification.

Description of the research method or intervention used by the researcher

The researcher used a computerized search through numerous online databases using keyword searches (Allen-Meares, Montgomery, & Kim, 2013).  The websites utilized included CINHAL, ERIC, PsycINFO, and MEDLINE while the search terms include ‘school’, ‘social work*’ and ‘effectiveness’ or ‘outcome’, or ‘evaluation’. The researcher made use of an asterisk to ensure that the search included numerous variations of the term ‘social work’. However, six inclusion criteria were included to ensure that only research that adequately addressed the research questions was analyzed.  In the end, 88 abstracts were accepted as viable but only 18 studies were used for the final sample reviewed.

Explanation of study findings

The purpose of the review was to investigate the treatment impacts of tier 1 and tier 2 school-based social work interventions. The scope of the study was the United States and abroad and the results revealed increased administration interventions amongst social workers, hence revealing potential empirical support with different populations and outcomes. While most of the tier 1 interventions inclined toward sexual health and sexual assault prevention outcomes, tier 2 interventions focused on at-risk students and specific populations like parenting adolescents.  The study revealed the increased need to have social workers work within the evidence-based practice (EBP) outline (Hall, 2008; Spratt, 2011).  

Suggestions made by the researcher for future study

            Allen-Meares, et al (2013) suggest that additional research is needed to create an understanding of the extent to which the tier 1 and tier 2 interventions can be transformed across country lines. In addition, the findings of the study can be used to determine the changes that should be adopted for promising interventions such that the needs of different nations can be met both culturally and politically.

Critique of the study

            With evidence-based practice in school-based social work, there is much promise that combining practice and research reinforces a scientific knowledge base that promotes interventions in social work. However, the study does not reveal the limitations of evidence-based practice in social work nor provide the best strategies for how disseminating, adopting, or implementing evidence-based practice.