Scholarly record

PROBLEMS AND PERSPECTIVES OF SOCIAL WORKERS ACTIVITIES IN THE FIELD OF WORK WITH CHILDREN WITH DEVELOPMENTAL DISABILITIES AND THEIR FAMILIES

Maja Laklija, M. M. Babic

Abstract

The aim of this study is to gain insights into social workers' experience of working and providing support, as employees of Centers for Social Welfare (CSW), to children with developmental difficulties and their families. Methods: Qualitative research has been conducted. The data were collected by means of a focus group, involving seven social workers, and a semi-structured interview involving twelve social workers with experience of working in the field of supporting children with disabilities and their families at Centers for Social Welfare. Data was analyzed by thematic analysis. Results: Research participants indicated that obstacles which pose difficulties for them are covered by the following categories: difficulties in working with parents, difficulties in working with other stakeholders in care for children with disabilities, difficulties in exercising rights and services for children with disabilities, dissatisfaction with working conditions and difficulty in finding adequate accommodation for children with disabilities. Recommendations relate to improving the quality of care for children with disabilities related to the social care system they come from, education, the healthcare system and country-level recommendations. The results obtained in this research can be useful and stimulating in pointing to the difficulties at the level of social welfare systems and other systems with which social workers at CSW work in unison to improve the conditions of providing support, developing available services and the quality of support for children with disabilities in their families.

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