School Social Work Practice with Roma

In Portugal, the intervention with the Roma population is conducted primarily through school, so the research focused on the work of social workers in schools, particularly with Roma. It is important to point out that, in... [ view full abstract ]

In Portugal, the intervention with the Roma population is conducted primarily through school, so the research focused on the work of social workers in schools, particularly with Roma. It is important to point out that, in Portugal, there are still schools that make Roma-only classes and, therefore, was taken as starting point the assumption that Roma people are subject to severe discrimination and injustice.
The overall aim of the research was to appraise knowledge and practices on approaches to cultural diversity and, more specifically, answers to the main research questions: How is it the work of social workers with Roma? How they deal with diversity? It is a part of the mainstream or sidelined to special projects? It was, also, intended assess the sensitivity of social workers to issues of social justice and discrimination.
The selected method was semistructured interviews with social workers who work in schools with Roma students and families. Were conducted thirty-two interviews, from January to July 2014. The selection includes the schools covered by educational policy Educational Territories of Priority Intervention (TEIP).
The interviews were taped and the transcripts already made were read and reread and was identified some conceptual patterns, that allow point out some preliminary results.
The main outcomes suggest that there is a general understanding of diversity concepts and awareness of discrimination against Roma, but the current practice of school social workers show an approach to cultural diversity that trap Roma students in ethnic enclaves of special projects. Discussion of data leads to consider that social workers have a practice based on a benign view of diversity.
The results also seem to present a evidence base to support our assertion of injustice and discrimination against Roma in schools, despite the anti-discriminatory policies and measures.

Keywords: Diversity; Ethnic minority; Roma; Discrimination and Social Justice.