| Abstract [eng] |
This master 's thesis explores the action possibilities of social workers working with families who are at risk. The growing demand for social services in this area of social work activities often exceeds the available resources, therefore it is necessary to look for more efficient ways of organizing and providing services. Insufficient attention is often paid to service planning and priority setting: social services are provided without knowing and assessing customer needs. Therefore, it is very important to plan the types of services, setting priority directions for the development of social services in communities, providing people with the services that are most needed, appropriate and cost-effective. In a changing society, families inevitably face a variety of crisis situations and problems. Each new stage of family life changes the basic parameters of the family structure. Most families successfully cope with new situations, adapt to new conditions. However, if the family fails, crisis periods are possible. The aim of the research: to reveal the possibilities of social workers in solving the problems of families at risk. The object of the research: the possibilities of the actions of a social worker in solving the problems of families in a risk situation. Research tasks: 1. To provide theoretical approaches and insights for families at risk; 2. To analyse the possibilities of social worker assistance to the family; 3. To carry out an empirical study to reveal action possibilities of social workers working with families at risk in the context of family experiences. The research hypothesis is that it is probable that the influence of social workers in solving the problems of families at risk enables families to seek change, motivates them to solve critical situations independently and develops the necessary social skills. Research methods: 1. Analysis of scientific literature and documents. 2. Quantitative research (questionnaire survey) and qualitative research (semi-structured interview). Findings of empirical research based on theoretical approaches: (a) The causes of the crisis in the family are usually complex in nature and include: domestic violence, various addictions, unbalanced relationships, difficult financial situations, etc. In addition to the above reasons, the crisis in the family can also be caused by difficulties in raising children, illness, poverty, various losses or divorces, lack of social skills. In order for the components of the crisis to begin to manifest in families, a certain event must take place that the family is not prepared to deal with properly; (b) the role of social workers in families is seen as: friend, helper, guide or counselor. It is emphasized that the main role in the process of helping families is played by the representatives of the social field - specialist of the State Child Rights Protection and Adoption Service (VVTAĮT), eldership social workers for work with families together with case managers, school social pedagogues, psychologists. Families also single out individuals from their immediate environment who help in difficult times, support and reinforce, motivate change. (c) social workers have many opportunities in the process of helping families and use them to help them. Both general and special services are provided in Šilalė district, such as: information, counseling, accommodation, transport or catering organization, child care, psychological counseling, etc. t. As obstacles, social workers identify the lack of specialists: free legal aid, social worker assistant, personal assistant for the client (family), mediator; underfunding and insufficient attention to improving the physical and psychological working conditions of workers. Structure of the thesis: the paper consists of 3 parts. The first part of the paper is devoted to the theoretical discourse of families at risk: description of risk factors, presentation of assistance institutions and development of social services in Šilalė district. The second part of the paper presents the process of research organization. The third part of the thesis is devoted to the analysis and presentation of research data. |
