Professional Insights on Intercultural Intervention in Diversity Contexts

Abstract

This chapter previews an initial research project that studies the perceptions of social practitioners in the context of cultural diversity. The study consists of a qualitative and network analysis about important intervention elements and difficulties. Twenty-seven in-depth interviews from practitioners in Spain, the United Kingdom and Italy have been analysed. The main results show the relevant aspects of intercultural management, the relevance of considering context such as the action framework, and the importance of training and emotional aspects. The most important barriers are the lack of understanding, language differences and the scarcity of resources and time to develop good professional practices. The orientations focus on the vision of the systemic intervention, contemplating the skills and factors of people and professionals, as well as the structural, contextual consideration and the barriers that come from the system itself.