Abstract
This article examines social work approaches to refugee integration across European countries during and after the 2015-2016 migration wave. Through case studies of integration programmes in Germany, Sweden, and Greece, the study analyses how different social work traditions and institutional contexts shape integration support.
Key Findings
- Social work models of refugee integration range from assimilationist to multicultural approaches with varying outcomes
- Early-stage psychosocial support significantly affects long-term integration trajectories
- Community-based integration models outperform institutional care arrangements
- Social workers face ethical dilemmas between professional values and restrictive policy contexts
Methodology
Comparative case study analysis of refugee integration programmes, combining programme evaluation data with qualitative interviews with social workers, programme managers, and refugee participants.
Implications
The article argues for a rights-based approach to refugee social work that prioritises agency, community participation, and holistic well-being alongside practical integration support in language, employment, and housing.
