| Abstract [eng] |
When creating a safe environment for children in Lithuania and providing services it was expected that they shall successfully involve children in the (self)education process, reduce social exclusion and thus mitigate its situation, so the recent question of what have we done in order to create conditions for children to properly exist and develop is founded. Although it is advertised that social pedagogical assistance is an effective preventive measure to ensure the quality of children’s education and a safe environment, the current situation shows that challenges are still not adequately addressed in a timely manner. Therefore social pedagogical assistance must be improved and brought closer to children, and a systematic approach is necessary for organizing and providing assistance. Object of the thesis – Organisation and provision of social pedagogical assistance in children’s day centres. Aim of the thesis – to reveal the management of social pedagogical assistance provided in children’s day centres. Objectives. In order to reach the aim the following objectives were set: 1) to describe the role of children day centres in providing assistances to children and families in EU countries; 2) to reveal the theoretical features of the management of social pedagogical assistance; 3) to analyse the problems and prospects of the management of social pedagogical assistances in Lithuanian children’s day centres; 4) to analyse the management of social pedagogical assistances in X children’s day centre in Mažeikiai district from the point of view of clients (children) and specialists (employees). Methods used for the thesis. Theoretical and empirical analysis methods were used in the final Master’s thesis. Analysis of scientific literature and legal documents was carried out to reveal the theoretical basis of the management of social pedagogical assistance in children’s day centres. Quantitative and qualitative analysis was chosen for analysing the management of social pedagogical assistances in X children’s day centre in Mažeikiai district, during which the clients (children) and specialists (employees) were interviewed. After analysing the management of social pedagogical assistances in X children’s day centre in Mažeikiai district from the point of view of the clients it was identified that the environment in the centre is sufficiently safe. The clients assessed the activities developed by the day centre as good or very good, but wished for more excursions and trips to museums, expositions, theatre and concerts, more games and toys, as well as books and sporting activities. The clients also assessed the qualities of the employees of the day centre and emphasized friendliness, understanding and joyfulness. It was identified that children going to the day centre started to have more confidence and achieved better learning results, they became friendlier, so it is easier to understand friends and get along with families better. After analysing the management of social pedagogical assistances in X children’s day centre in Mažeikiai district from the point of view of specialists it was identified that the centre carries out educational and socio-cultural activities and provides material support, and services are focused on occupying the children, and developing and maintaining their every-day social skills. The process of activities carried out is meaningful because children have the opportunity to relax, forget their problems and feel stronger through socio-cultural activities. Smart education assistance for parents is provided in order to develop positive parenting skills and comprehensive assistance for children and families are coordinated by case managers. The day centre is financed from the municipal budget and projects, and interinstitutional cooperation is successful and actively developed. The constantly-increasing number of children going to the day centre shows the good quality of services, because they are provided by specialists with sufficient qualification, who further improve their professional competencies through trainings and seminars, supervisions and intervisions. |
