ABSTRACT
Experiences with an intercultural training for professionals from child-welfare services working with children and adolescents following child abuse and neglect Abstract. Background: As part of a multicenter study evaluating measures to improve access to evidenced-based treatment for children and adolescents following child abuse and neglect, we introduced and evaluated migration-adapted services, including a one-day intercultural training. Key issues were the dissemination of information concerning migration and acculturation, trauma and mental health to immigrant families as well as the development of exercises on intercultural competence and culturally sensitive work. Method: Near the end of the research project we gathered experiences and opinions concerning the work with immigrant families using an online survey in a subgroup of case managers working in the project (professionals in child-welfare services). This article presents two case report illustrating the practical relevance of the training's content. Results: Overall, the training was rated positively. In the opinion of the case managers, especially language barriers and cultural diversity should be considered while working with immigrant families. The case reports show that the training sensitized and supported the case managers supported the case managers when dealing with differing illness concepts, differing illness concepts, culture-sensitive assessment, or work with language mediators. Conclusions: The case management work also demonstrated the limitations of the psychosocial care system; the further dissemination of intercultural knowledge is important.
