title: The Effects of Skill Training on Social Workers' Professional Competences in Norway: Results of a Cluster-Randomised Study.
abstract: Using a cluster-randomised design, this study analyses the effects of a government-administered skill training programme for social workers in Norway. The training programme aims to improve social workers' professional competences by enhancing and systematising follow-up work directed towards longer-term unemployed clients in the following areas: encountering the user, system-oriented efforts and administrative work. The main tools and techniques of the programme are based on motivational interviewing and appreciative inquiry. The data comprise responses to baseline and eighteen-month follow-up questionnaires administered to all social workers (n= 99) in eighteen participating Labour and Welfare offices randomised into experimental and control groups. The findings indicate that the skill training programme positively affected the social workers' evaluations of their professional competences and quality of work supervision received. The acquisition and mastering of combinations of specific tools and techniques, a comprehensive supervision structure and the opportunity to adapt the learned skills to local conditions were important in explaining the results.
authors: Oslo and Akershus University College of Applied Sciences, Social Welfare Research Centre, Stensberggate 29, Post Box 4, St. Olavs Plass, N-0130 Oslo, Norway.
authors: Ira
authors: I
authors: Malmberg-Heimonen
authors: Oslo and Akershus University College of Applied Sciences, Social Welfare Research Centre, Stensberggate 29, Post Box 4, St. Olavs Plass, N-0130 Oslo, Norway.
authors: Sidsel
authors: S
authors: Natland
authors: Oslo and Akershus University College of Applied Sciences, Social Welfare Research Centre, Stensberggate 29, Post Box 4, St. Olavs Plass, N-0130 Oslo, Norway.
authors: Anne Grete
authors: AG
authors: Tøge
authors: Oslo and Akershus University College of Applied Sciences, Social Welfare Research Centre, Stensberggate 29, Post Box 4, St. Olavs Plass, N-0130 Oslo, Norway.
authors: Helle Cathrine
authors: HC
authors: Hansen
keywords: Evidence-based; cluster-randomised; experimental; professional competences; randomised; skill training; social work