Exploring the experiences of reflective practice by Samoan social workers in Aotearoa New Zealand
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Other Title
Authors
Masae, Christina Eloisa
Author ORCID Profiles (clickable)
Degree
Master of Applied Practice
Grantor
Unitec, Te Pūkenga – New Zealand Institute of Skills and Technology
Date
2024
Supervisors
Lino, Aulola
Gremillion, Helen
Gremillion, Helen
Type
Masters Thesis
Ngā Upoko Tukutuku (Māori subject headings)
Keyword
Aotearoa
New Zealand
Samoans in New Zealand
social workers
social practice
reflective learning
tafatolu (Samoan research methodology)
narrative inquiry (research method)
ethnopsychology
indigenous methodologies
Pasifika
New Zealand
Samoans in New Zealand
social workers
social practice
reflective learning
tafatolu (Samoan research methodology)
narrative inquiry (research method)
ethnopsychology
indigenous methodologies
Pasifika
ANZSRC Field of Research Code (2020)
Citation
Masae, C.E. (2024). Exploring the experiences of reflective practice by Samoan social workers in Aotearoa New Zealand (Unpublished document submitted in partial fulfilment of the requirements for the degree of Master of Applied Practice). Unitec, Te Pūkenga – New Zealand Institute of Skills and Technology
https://hdl.handle.net/10652/6820
Abstract
RESEARCH QUESTIONS
1. What are the key high points and challenging situations Samoan social workers face in their practice with Samoan clients?
2. What are examples and outcomes of reflective practice used by Samoan social workers in practice and in supervision?
3. To what extent are the outcomes of Samoan social workers influenced by reflective practice?
4. To what extent do the outcomes of reflective practice result in changes to practice that improve the quality of social work outcomes for Samoan clients?
5. How can models and reflective practice be developed to ensure better outcomes for Samoan social work service clients?
ABSTRACT
There is a growing literature on reflective practice and its significance to social workers. Increasing interest in this area is primarily due to the power of reflection as a tool for learning. The function of learning plays an essential role in the ability of social workers to evaluate and change the way they practice to be competent practitioners. Yet, perceptions of what defines a “competent worker” can vary amongst practitioners, particularly across different services and within various organisational hierarchies. The social work profession strongly emphasises the power of reflection, which is highlighted in the social work competency standards. However, there is a lack of literature about reflective practice from a cultural lens, including a Samoan perspective. As a result, this thesis aims to explore a Samoan understanding of reflective practice and its application in their work. Tafatolu, a qualitative methodological framework, and narrative inquiry were employed to capture the voices and experiences of Samoan social workers. Purposeful sampling was used to ensure the voices across levels of organisational hierarchy, including NZ-born and Samoan-born practitioners, are represented. The findings show a strong association between cultural knowledge and understanding reflection for Samoan practitioners. Relationships are a crucial driver for Samoan practitioners to employ reflective practice. Further, reflection helps Samoan social workers better understand their practice perspective and adjust their strategies for clients of all cultures. This study highlights the importance of indigenous cultural knowledge in reflection in social work and advocates for more systemic integration of reflective practice into social work training, curricula and ongoing professional development. By bridging theory with lived experiences, this study offers a comprehensive perspective on the evolving landscape of Samoan social work, stressing the need for reflection to improve culturally responsive and aware services.
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