Sexual abuse of children is a complex problem that holds far-reaching consequences for the child and his / her family. It is a criminal act of power and control that has an impact on all people regardless of age, race, culture and economic status (Statistics, 2014). The handling of sexual abuse is a service field of social work in which social workers are designated by law to investigate cases of sexual abuse of children and the allegations thereof, according to the Children's Act No 32 of 2005 (SA, 2005). During investigations into child sexual abuse social workers experience intense, powerful feelings that have an emotional impact on the social worker and his / her role functioning (Cussons, 2011:2). It is important for social workers to possess the necessary knowledge, skills and resources to facilitate service delivery (Van Wyk, 2011:65). The objective of this research was to determine the psychosocial needs of social workers during investigations into child sexual abuse in order to establish the nature of social workers' needs, conscious experiences and observable behaviour. The researcher used the qualitative approach. The interpretive descriptive research design as a research strategy was used to determine the psychosocial needs of social workers during investigations into child sexual abuse. Eleven participants took part in the study and data was collected by means of semi-structured interviews with each participant individually. The qualitative data were transcribed into themes and sub-themes to be analysed by a coding system according to the proposed framework of Tesch (in Creswell, 2009:186). Eight themes were identified: (1) role requirements, (2) role expectations, (3) emotional needs, (4) physical needs, (5) social needs, (6) cultural needs, (7) spiritual needs and (8) development and growth. These themes were divided into sub-themes and categories, and appropriate narratives as discussed in the interviews. The information was checked with literature and some conclusions and recommendations were made. Investigations into child sexual abuse are high-intensity cases which require immediate action from social workers. It was found that social workers experienced a strong demand for debriefing and support during their involvement with these investigations. It seems that social workers dealing with these cases experience unique psychosocial needs. If these needs are not addressed, it can lead to negative role functioning, occupational stress and even burnout of these social workers. The following recommendations can be made, namely that: * support working groups be presented for debriefing opportunities; * organizations establish working groups that focus on stress; * child sexual abuse be seen as a speciality field; * social workers be trained as case managers of the investigation into child sexual abuse; * professional role-players involved be trained through workshops in respect of their own and others' obligations; * resources be recruited and obtained. / MSW, North-West University, Potchefstroom Campus, 2015

Sexual abuse of children is a complex problem that holds far-reaching consequences for the child and his / her family. It is a criminal act of power and control that has an impact on all people regardless of age, race, culture and economic status (Statistics, 2014). The handling of sexual abuse is a service field of social work in which social workers are designated by law to investigate cases of sexual abuse of children and the allegations thereof, according to the Children's Act No 32 of 2005 (SA, 2005). During investigations into child sexual abuse social workers experience intense, powerful feelings that have an emotional impact on the social worker and his / her role functioning (Cussons, 2011:2). It is important for social workers to possess the necessary knowledge, skills and resources to facilitate service delivery (Van Wyk, 2011:65). The objective of this research was to determine the psychosocial needs of social workers during investigations into child sexual abuse in order to establish the nature of social workers' needs, conscious experiences and observable behaviour. The researcher used the qualitative approach. The interpretive descriptive research design as a research strategy was used to determine the psychosocial needs of social workers during investigations into child sexual abuse. Eleven participants took part in the study and data was collected by means of semi-structured interviews with each participant individually. The qualitative data were transcribed into themes and sub-themes to be analysed by a coding system according to the proposed framework of Tesch (in Creswell, 2009:186). Eight themes were identified: (1) role requirements, (2) role expectations, (3) emotional needs, (4) physical needs, (5) social needs, (6) cultural needs, (7) spiritual needs and (8) development and growth. These themes were divided into sub-themes and categories, and appropriate narratives as discussed in the interviews. The information was checked with literature and some conclusions and recommendations were made. Investigations into child sexual abuse are high-intensity cases which require immediate action from social workers. It was found that social workers experienced a strong demand for debriefing and support during their involvement with these investigations. It seems that social workers dealing with these cases experience unique psychosocial needs. If these needs are not addressed, it can lead to negative role functioning, occupational stress and even burnout of these social workers. The following recommendations can be made, namely that: * support working groups be presented for debriefing opportunities; * organizations establish working groups that focus on stress; * child sexual abuse be seen as a speciality field; * social workers be trained as case managers of the investigation into child sexual abuse; * professional role-players involved be trained through workshops in respect of their own and others' obligations; * resources be recruited and obtained. / MSW, North-West University, Potchefstroom Campus, 2015

Syftet med studien var att få en djupare förståelse för hur biståndshandläggare inom äldreomsorgen upplever sitt handlingsutrymme utifrån gräsrotsbyråkratens roll samt att identifiera vilka faktorer påverkar handlingsutrymmet. Fem intervjuer med sju informanter, varav sex kvinnor och en man, har genomförts och studien har en kvalitativ ansats. Analysen av resultatet visade att handlingsutrymmet ökar eller minskar vilket beror på ett antal identifierade faktorer. Dessa faktorer är: bakgrund, stödfunktioner, påtryckningar, reglementen och arbetssätt. I studien beskrivs hur handlingsutrymmet utförs och hur det upplevs av informanterna. En konsekvens av ett litet handlingsutrymme är att biståndshandläggarnas position mellan myndighetens uppdrag och medborgarnas behov kan bidra till stress. / The aim of this study was to gain a deeper understanding of how social worker in elderly care experience their discretion based on the street-level bureaucrats role and to identify the factors affecting the discretion. Five interviews with seven informants, six women and one man, have been completed and the study has a qualitative approach. The analysis of the results showed that the discretion increases or decreases due to a number of identified factors. These factors are: the background, support functions, pressure, regulations and practices. The study describes how the discretion is performed and how it is perceived by the informants. A consequence of a small discretion is that the social workers position between the authority´s  mission and the needs of citizens can contribute to stress.

Syftet med denna studie har varit att erhålla en djupare kunskap om ungdomars användning av cannabis. För att göra detta utgår denna studie från en kvalitativ intervjumetod där vi har intervjuat fyra socialarbetare samt en polisman. Samtliga informanter har erfarenhet av arbete med ungdomar som brukat cannabis. För att analysera resultaten som uppkommit under intervjuer har vi valt att använda oss av de teoretiska perspektiven social konstruktionism samt utvecklingspsykopatologi. Vidare har vi i studien använt risk och skyddsfaktorer för att analysera vilka faktorer som kan påverka att en ungdom använder sig av cannabis. Resultaten pekar på att bakomliggande faktorer vid bruket är psykisk ohälsa, neuropsykiatrisk diagnos såsom ADHD eller ADD och en problematisk hemmiljö. I resultatet diskuteras vidare om riskfaktorer såsom en bristande skolgång samt huruvida könet har någon betydelse eller skillnad bland de som använder sig av cannabis som berusningsmedel. Ett av de viktigaste resultaten som framkommer är att psykisk ohälsa är den vanligaste gemensamma riskfaktorn hos de ungdomar som använder sig av cannabis och som blir aktuella på socialtjänsten. Nyckelord: cannabis, socialarbetare, social kontruktionism, socialtjänst, ungdomar / The aim of this study was to obtain a deeper understanding of young people's use of cannabis. To do that is this study made out of a qualitative interview method where we have interviewed four social workers and one policeman. All informants have experience of working with young people who used cannabis. To analyse the findings raised during the interviews, we have chosen to use the theoretical perspectives of social constructionism and the development of psychopathology. Furthermore, we have in the study used the risk and protective factors to analyse the factors that can influence a young person use of cannabis. The result indicates that the factors behind the use of cannabis are mental illness, neuropsychiatric diagnosis as ADHD or ADD and a problematic home. This result further discussion of risk factors such as a lack of schooling and whether sex has any significance or difference among those who use cannabis as an intoxicant. One of the main results that emerge is that mental illness is the most common risk factor for young people who use cannabis, and who is current to the social services. Keywords: cannabis, social constructionism, social service, social worker, young people

The aim of this study was to get a better understanding of social workers experiences of supervisions impact on social work with children and families. The two research questions where: Which are social workers needs of supervision? And does social workers perceive supervision as a tool for professional development and learning? The study´s empirical findings were a result of semi-structured interviews with five social workers in the social service department. The study´s theoretical framework was based on two different theories: new institutionalism, which is a specialization within organizational theory, and system theory perspective. The result found that social workers experiences supervision as an opportunity for support and reflection, which encourages them to develop professional skills in their daily work. Supervision had an effect on social workers self-confidence and wellbeing by adding expertise, which gave more structure, energy and stress relief in their work. The interviews also showed that supervision had a direct impact on the interaction and the team climate within a working group. However, certain terms and conditions must have been considered to call supervision successful. The supervisors responsibility to lead, see the groups needs and have an over all perspective was mentioned as one condition for good supervision. Another term was that the group cooperated and showed professionalism and respect towards one another. It was very important that supervision took place in a safe environment and that all group members felt trust towards their colleagues and supervisor. This way they where able to learn from each others experiences and show vulnerability and emotions which could contribute to reflection and professional development. Furthermore, social workers emphasise supervision as positive and a necessary tool in order to achieve an efficient and well functioning workplace.

Syfte. Denna studie undersöker om socialsekreterares bedömningar av ungdomar som begått brott skiljer sig åt i relation till ungdomens kön. Studien är avgränsad till att innefatta unga lagöverträdare och huruvida de har behov av fortsatt kontakt med socialtjänsten efter att påföljden är genomförd. Studiens teoretiska referensram är baserad på socialkonstruktionism samt genusteori.    Metod. En kvantitativ metod ligger till grund för studien. Två enkäter innehållandes två vinjetter vardera utformades och skickades ut via mejl till socialsekreterare verksamma i mellersta Sverige. Enkäterna skiljer sig åt i ett avseende - hälften av respondenterna har fått en enkät som består av två vinjetter där ungdomarna har flicknamn, och de resterande respondenterna har fått en enkät där vinjetterna innefattar pojknamn. Förutom namnen är vinjetterna identiska.   Resultat. Svaren som enkäterna genererade visar inte några signifikanta skillnader kring socialsekreterares bedömningar i relation till kön, varken sett till oro, lämplig insats eller skydds- och riskfaktorer.   Slutsats. Utifrån respondenternas svar har det inte varit möjligt att utläsa några skillnader mellan ungdomarnas kön. Dock går det inte utesluta förekommandet av könsskillnader inom socialtjänstens arbete med ungdomar då studiens resultat enbart är baserat på de resultat som genererats utifrån vinjetterna. Detta innebär att svaren kanske inte hade blivit desamma i verkligheten. / Aim. This study examines differences in social workers’ assessments of youths in relation to gender and whether they have the need for continued contact with the social services after the sentence is completed. The theoretical framework of this study is based on social constructionism and gender theory.   Method. This study was carried out using a quantitative method. Two surveys consisting of two vignettes each was constructed and sent by email to social workers in central Sweden. The surveys differed in only one aspect - half of the respondents received a survey consisting two vignettes in which the youths had girl names, and the other half received a survey consisting vignettes with boy names. Hence, the surveys were constructed to be differentiated by gender.   Results. The analysis of the responses generated revealed no significant differences regarding social workers’ assessments in relation to gender - not for concern, intervention or protective- and risk factors.   Conclusion. The study’s result has not detected any differences between the two genders included in the survey. However, it is not tenable to exclude gender differences in social work with youth as the results of this study are not fully generalizable, due to the choice of method. The answers might have differed if it was real cases.

Det övergripande syftet med denna studie är att studera socialsekreterares uppfattning av deras möjlighet till att bedriva förändringsarbete på avdelningen för ekonomiskt bistånd inom socialtjänsten, med målet att klienten ska bli självförsörjande. Tidigare forskning inom området har visat att socialsekreterare har flera olika roller. De förväntas följa lagar och regler samtidigt som de ska möta klientens individuella behov. Detta förutsätter en god relation mellan socialsekreterare och klient, och möjligheten till att skapa goda relationer anses kunna vara avhängigt organisationstypen. Tidigare forskning har även visat att ett av problemen i det dagliga arbetet inom socialtjänsten är tidsbristen, vilken ger upphov till ett behov av att prioritera mellan ärenden. Det är i ljuset av vad tidigare forskning visat om bland annat organisationsform och arbetsbörda som det ter sig relevant att utforska vad socialsekreterare själva anser om möjligheter till att bedriva förändringsarbete. Studien baseras på kvalitativa intervjuer med totalt åtta socialsekreterare från fyra olika svenska kommuner. Resultatet, det vill säga bland annat vad som informanterna anser vara viktiga faktorer samt vad som utgör hinder för förändringsarbetet inom ekonomiskt bistånd, analyseras och diskuteras utifrån Hasenfelds teori om människobehandlande organisationer samt Lipskys teori om gräsrosbyråkrater. Resultatet pekar bland annat mot att socialsekreterarna anser sig behöva organisatoriska förutsättningar, såsom en rimlig mängd ärenden, för att kunna bedriva ett framgångsrikt förändringsarbete inom ekonomiskt bistånd. Vidare anser informanterna att individuella faktorer, såsom klientens motivation, är av vikt för processen bort från ett biståndsberoende. Bland hindrande faktorer på individnivå nämns diskrepans mellan socialsekreterarens och klientens målbilder gällande vilken förändring som ska uppnås hos klienten som ett exempel. På organisationsnivå anser socialsekreterarna den höga arbetsbelastningen, som ofta råder inom arbetet med ekonomiskt bistånd, vara det största hindret för ett aktivt klientarbete mot självförsörjning. Informanterna betonar att ärendemängden i dagsläget ofta är så hög att det inte är möjligt att träffa klienterna så ofta som det skulle behövas. I ljuset av vad tidigare forskning och vad analysen av den insamlade empirin visar, identifierades i denna studie, utifrån socialsekreterares synvinkel, flera faktorer som anses vara av vikt för ett välfungerande förändringsarbete inom ekonomiskt bistånd. Det intervjuade anser att de (som socialsekreterare) behöver både individuella ”verktyg” och organisatoriska förutsättningar för att kunna bedriva sitt arbete på det sätt som fastställs i Socialtjänstlagen.

Magistro baigiamajame darbe nagrinėjami socialinio darbuotojo veiklos sąlygos kaimo bendruomenėje. Darbe aptariami ne tik bendri socialinio darbuotojo veiklos principai, žinios, įgūdžiai, funkcijos, veiklos sritys, bet ir nagrinėjami kaimo bendruomenės bruožai, apibūdinama socialinio darbuotojo veiklos svarba bei vieta kaimo bendruomenėje. Siekiant atskleisti ir išnagrinėti socialinio darbuotojo veiklos sąlygas kaimo bendruomenėje bei ištirti sunkumus su kuriais susiduria socialiniai darbuotojai, magistro darbe atliekama mokslinės literatūros analizė ir tyrimo analitinė apžvalga, pateikiamai tyrimo duomenys apie socialinių darbuotojų materialines darbo sąlygas kaime, saugumą, santykius su klientais ir darbo organizavimą. Justina Lenkevič Socialinio darbuotojo veiklos sąlygos kaimo bendruomenėje: socialinio darbo magistro studijų baigiamasis darbas / mokslinis vadovas: prof. Habil. Dr. M. Taljūnaitė Vilniaus pedagoginis universitetas, Socialinės komunikacijos institutas, Socialinės sanglaudos katedra. – Vilnius, 2009. – p. 75. / In Master’s final work the circumstances of social worker’s activities in terms of rural communities are being analyzed. Final work includes not only the description of general principles of a social worker’s activities, knowledge, skills, functions, activities’ fields, but also of characteristics of rural communities. Social worker’s activity’s importance as well as workers role in rural communities is being described too. In order to identify and examine the social worker’s activities circumstances in the rural community and to explore the difficulties faced by social workers, in the Master’s final work analysis of scientific literature and analytical review of the investigation is being carried out; research data on social workers work’s material conditions in rural areas, safety, relations with clients and work’s organization is being presented. Justina Lenkevič Circumstances of social worker work in the rural community: Master’s studies final work in Social work / Scientific supervisor: prof. hab. dc. M. Taljūnaitė. – Vilnius Pedagogical University, Social communication institute, Department of Social Cohesion. – Vilnius, 2009. – p. 75.

Pertvarkant vaikų globos įstaigų tinklą, siekiama gerinti vaiko gyvenimo kokybę. Aktualu periodiškai tirti globos įstaigos vaikų ir globėjų santykių ypatumus. Darbo tikslas: ištirti globojamų vaikų santykius su personalu ir įvertinti vaikų dalyvavimo priimant sprendimus galimybes. Tyrimo metodika. 2008.09.09 - 2008.09.12 laikotarpiu Valkininkų vaikų globos namuose „Spengla“ buvo atliekama anketinė globotinių apklausa. Statistinė duomenų analizė atlikta SPSS 11 versijos programiniu paketu. Išvados atskleidžia, kad dauguma įstaigos vaikų palankiai vertina personalo veiklą, tačiau jų nuomonė į sėkmigo pasirengimo savarankiškam gyvenimui galimybes yra neigiama: tik kas dešimtas vaikas (9,4 proc.) žino, ką veiks pabaigęs mokyklą ; nei vienas vaikas nepaminėjo šeimos kaip gyvenimo vertybės; mokslas ir profesija svarbi tik kas trisdešimtam apklaustajam (2,8 proc.). Toks požiūris sumažina globotinių sėkmingos socializacijos galimybes. Daugiau savarankiškumo turi vaikai, kurie aktyviai dalyvauja visuomeniniame gyvenime. Kas trečias vaikas, dalyvaujantis priimant sprendimus dėl savo gyvenimo sąlygų, turi galimybę savarankiškai vertinti savo darbą. Tai didina sėkmingos socializacijos galimybes. / Restructuring of the children’s foster home network aims at improving the children’s quality of life. Periodic studies of the peculiarities of the relationships between children’s foster home inmates and caregivers are relevant. The aim of this study was to analyze the relationships between children in foster homes and the personnel, and to investigate the possibilities for children’s participation in decision-making. The methods of the study. Between September 09, 2008 and September 12, 2008 we performed a questionnaire-based inquiry of children in Valkininkai children’s foster home “Spengla”. Sta¬tis¬ti¬cal data analysis was performed using the SPSS 11 statistical software package. The analysis of the findings showed that the majority of the studied children positively evaluated the personnel’s activity, but their opinion about possibilities for successful preparation for independent was negative – only every-tenth child (9.4%) knew what they would do after finishing school, none of the children mentioned family as a value in life, and only every thirtieth child (2.8%) was interested in studies and profession. Such attitudes reduce the children’s possibilities for successful socialization. A greater level of independence was observed in children who actively participate in social life. Two-thirds (61.5%) of children who had not made up their mind concerning their future life did not participate in making decisions about the living conditions in the foster home. Meanwhile... [to full text]

Šio magistrantūros studijų baigiamojo darbo tyrimo tikslas yra išanalizuoti socialinio darbuotojo pagalbą rizikos grupės šeimoms. Tyrimo objektas – tai rizikos grupės šeimų problemos ir socialinio darbuotojo pagalba joms. Tyrimui atlikti buvo panaudotos anketos, kurios buvo skirtos dviem tiriamom grupėm, t. y. socialinės rizikos šeimoms bei socialiniams darbuotojams. Tyrimo metu buvo apklaustos 63 rizikos grupės šeimos, gyvenančios Lazdijų rajono savivaldybėje ir 31 socialinis darbuotojas, dirbantis su tomis šeimomis. Gauti rezultatai buvo apdoroti SPSS 15.0 programa. Tyrimo metu paaiškėjo, kad socialinės rizikos grupės šeimos dažniausiai susiduria su tokiomis problemomis, kaip alkoholizmas, bedarbystė, vaikų elgesio problemomis. Tai patvirtina ir atlikta socialinių darbuotojų apklausa. Be to, didžioji dalis rizikos grupės šeimų, kreipiasi pagalbos į socialinius darbuotojus ir priima jų teikiamą pagalbą, tikėdamiesi surasti savo problemų sprendimą. Socialinių darbuotojų pagalba yra svarbi šioms šeimoms. Pasak jų, dirbdami su rizikos grupės šeimomis, dažniausiai naudoja individualų darbo metodą bei teikia kompleksinę pagalbą ir įgyvendina specialias programas, skirtas šioms šeimoms. Be to, tyrimo metu paaiškėjo, kad minėtieji specialistai turi laikytis konfidencialumo principo, taip pat dalyvauja seminaruose, kurių temos yra siejamos su socialinės rizikos grupės šeimomis ir jų problemomis. Tačiau kaip paaiškėjo, kad ne visi gautas žinias pritaiko praktinėje veikloje. ... [toliau žr. visą tekstą] / The aim of this master's thesis is to analyse the help of social worker to risk group families. The subject of research – problems of risk group families and help of social worker to them. The were used questionnaires to fulfill this research, which were appointed to two researched groups, i.e. social risk families and socoal workers. During the research there were surveyed 63 risk group families, living in Lazdijai region municipality and 31 social worker, who work with these families. Final results were worked up by program SPSS 15.0. During the research there was foud out that the families of social risk group most often cope with these problems: alcoholism, unemployment, children behaviour problems. It is also approved by the fulfilled survey of social workers. Moreover, the biggest part of risk group families resort to the help od social workers and receive aid in hope to find the solution to their problems. The help of social workers is important to these families. According them, during working with these families they often use individual working method and provide complex help and implement special programs which are appointed to these families. Besides, during the research it turned out that these specialists have to follow the confidentiality principle; they also participate in seminars which themes are related with social risk group families. But as it turned out, not all of them adapt acquired knowledge. Key words: social worker, family of social risk... [to full text]