SOCIALINIO DARBUOTOJO IR VAIKO TEISIŲ APSAUGOS SPECIALISTO BENDRADARBIAVIMO SVARBA

Abstract

This article analyses the importance of collaboration between the social worker and the child rights protection specialist. In order for good-quality social services to be provided to families and children in a timely manner, collaboration between employees of different social institutions (social workers and child rights protection specialists) that provide services to families and children is important. The object of the article is collaboration between the social worker and the child rights protection specialist, with emphasis being placed on its importance. The aim of the article is to reveal the importance of collaboration between the social worker and the child rights protection specialist. The following tasks were set to achieve this goal: to theoretically substantiate the importance of collaboration between the social worker and the child rights protection specialist; and to carry out a research analysis of the subjective assessment of the importance of collaboration between the social worker and the child rights protection specialist. This research primarily addresses the following question: How do social workers and child rights protection specialists assess the importance of collaboration? The research hypothesis is as follows: social workers and child rights protection specialists recognise the importance of collaboration. The research methods of analysis of scientific literature and documents and comparative analysis were used in this study. The questionnaire survey method was used to collect research data. The data collected were analysed using the methods of descriptive statistics, graphic representation, and correlation analysis. SPSS (Statistical Package for Social Sciences) software (SPSS 20 version package) and MS Excel 2016 were used for data analysis. During the theoretical analysis, the methods of comparative analysis and generalisation of scientific literature and documents were applied. This empirical research aims to investigate the importance of collaboration between the social worker and the child rights protection specialist. To achieve this aim, a quantitative research strategy was applied. Quantitative research was chosen as it is a quick and convenient method that helps to include the largest number of social workers and child rights protection specialists who can be reached in a virtual way, and provides the opportunity to compare the opinions of social workers and child rights protection specialists on the importance of collaboration. The research examines the connections and interrelationships between social workers and child rights protection specialists. The empirical research data were collected via a questionnaire survey in 2022–2023. A pilot study was also conducted, during which the reliability of the questionnaire was measured through Cronbach’s alpha coefficient. The reliability estimate of the questionnaire (Cronbach’s alpha) was 0.964, which shows very good reliability. The research sample consisted of social workers and child rights protection specialists. There were 448 subjects who participated in the study: 224 social workers and 224 child rights protection specialists. The research data were analysed using descriptive statistics and statistical analysis. The following selection criteria were applied to social workers: 1) social workers working with families in institutions providing social services and having at least 2 years of work experience; and 2) social workers with a degree in social work. The following selection criteria were applied to specialists of the State Child Rights Protection and Adoption Service: 1)specialists of the State Child Rights Protection and Adoption Service working in territorial departments and having at least 2 years of work experience; and 2) specialists of the State Child Rights Protection and Adoption Service with a degree in the social work study field. The following ethical principles were observed: voluntary consent to participate in the research, awareness, data protection, ensuring anonymity and confidentiality, and the avoidance of harm to respondents. The limitations and difficulties of the research include the problems of sample limitation:  the respondents had to have computers, had to know how to use them, and had to have Internet access in case of an email or an online survey. For the researchers, the problem of reversibility was encountered. It was only possible to reach the required number of research participants after contacting the heads of the territorial departments of the State Child Rights Protection and Adoption Service and the managers of social workers working with families, after having presented the research again, and after having asked to mediate in motivating the employees to participate in the research. The analysis of theoretical sources shows that the stronger and more effective management of the situation of families and children experiencing social risks is ensured by means of smooth collaboration. Clarifying the goals of collaboration can help unite collaborating institutions and achieve common goals. It is important for collaborating institutions to clarify what each party hopes to gain when collaborating – both for their institution and for themselves (Villagrana, 2020). Langenderfer-Magruder et al. (2019) note that good communication improves the quality of case monitoring and relapse support, the timeliness of necessary resources, support for better decision-making, and the reduction of inter-institutional competition and inconsistent demands. Bai et al. (2019) indicate that interagency collaboration between the child welfare system and community agencies is necessary to achieve optimal child welfare outcomes. It is important for social workers and child rights protection specialists to collaborate with each other, being guided by a holistic approach which includes interpersonal relationships based on collaboration and mutual respect. Collaboration is essential to providing effective support to the family and/or the child, as no professional can do so alone. Only through collaboration between social workers and child rights protection specialists can the quality and efficiency of services for the family and/or the child be improved, and their needs met. It is also important for social workers and child rights protection specialists to work together towards a common goal and support each other without duplicating their functions. The analysis of the results of the empirical research revealed that mutual collaboration is particularly important for social workers and child rights protection specialists. The aforementioned specialists find the promptness of obtaining information and sharing information in mutual collaboration important. Social workers and child rights protection specialists want their relationships to be based on mutual respect and to work towards a common goal. For social workers, compared to child rights protection specialists, the parallel distribution of responsibility, the participation of all specialists in the process of providing assistance, and mutual conversations are more important in collaboration. It should also be emphasised that collaboration is essential for social workers and child rights protection specialists because, as a result, services are provided with better quality and crisis situations are managed more effectively, both of which are very beneficial for the well-being of the child. It is noteworthy that collaboration in the provision of social services is more important for social workers than for child rights protection specialists. Such results are possibly influenced by the fact that social workers are the providers of social services for families and/or children, while child rights protection specialists only determine the need to assess whether it is necessary to help the child and/or the family and apply to municipal social service institutions regarding the provision of social services for the family and/or the child.