The value of social work in the second reception of forced migrants

Second reception projects regarding forced migrants (Sprar projects in Italy ) are considered as a field of extremely conflictual forces, where the operators experience and face the contradictions of the reception system for forced migrants and where they dedicate time, competences and resources in order to explore possible solutions and generate change, meaning value, not only in the beneficiaries’ lives but also in the places in which these projects take place. Two studies have been carried out involving over 60 operators working in different projects. The first study began in 2014 and finished in 2018 and the second started in 2018 and has not yet been completed. The application of different research tools (in-depth interviews, focus groups, field observations, collaborative and participatory research techniques) has made it possible to identify some characteristic elements of the helping relationship and the social work that develop in these projects. This contribution focuses on collaborative and participatory research techniques, on processes concerning the exploration of conflicts and the construction of knowledge which are considered as more interesting compared to the production of value in social work.