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Exploring the potential of refugees and asylum seekers for social care work in England: a qualitative study

Hussein, Shereen, Manthorpe, Jill, Stevens, Martin (2011) Exploring the potential of refugees and asylum seekers for social care work in England: a qualitative study. Health & Social Care in the Community, 19 (5). pp. 468-475. ISSN 0966-0410. (doi:10.1111/j.1365-2524.2011.00989.x) (Access to this publication is currently restricted. You may be able to access a copy if URLs are provided) (KAR id:68361)

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Language: English

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Abstract

Literature highlights the potential for refugees to contribute to the labour force of receiving countries. Such a contribution may be welcomed in sectors, such as social care, where demand for labour is increasing and high vacancy rates exist. This article reports on empirical data examining the potential of refugee communities to work in social care in England. The analysis is based primarily on 20 interviews with refugees and asylum seekers and five representatives of refugee support groups, conducted in 2008-2009. The findings of this sub-study are set within results obtained from other interviews as part of a multi-methods study examining the contribution of migrants to the English care sector. In-depth interviews were analysed thematically, guided by a theoretical framework linking employment, migration and the nature of care work. The findings highlight a general willingness of refugee participants to join the care workforce. Individual and structural barriers to increased employability were identified, as well as possible strategies to overcome them. Although the findings and discussions presented are based on data collected in England and are specific to the care sector, most are more generalisable and may inform strategies aiming at maximising refugees' employability in other sectors and in other developed states.

Item Type: Article
DOI/Identification number: 10.1111/j.1365-2524.2011.00989.x
Additional information: Unmapped bibliographic data: M3 - Article [Field not mapped to EPrints] U2 - 10.1111/j.1365-2524.2011.00989.x [Field not mapped to EPrints] JO - Health and Social Care in the Community [Field not mapped to EPrints]
Uncontrolled keywords: employment, labour, refugee and asylum seeker healthcare, social care, workforce issues
Subjects: H Social Sciences
Divisions: Divisions > Division for the Study of Law, Society and Social Justice > School of Social Policy, Sociology and Social Research
Divisions > Division for the Study of Law, Society and Social Justice > School of Social Policy, Sociology and Social Research > Personal Social Services Research Unit
Depositing User: Shereen Hussein
Date Deposited: 13 Nov 2018 11:49 UTC
Last Modified: 16 Nov 2021 10:25 UTC
Resource URI: https://kar.kent.ac.uk/id/eprint/68361 (The current URI for this page, for reference purposes)

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