This dissertation describes a study that investigated the perceptions of foster/whānau caregivers of support and training provisions in Canterbury, New Zealand. The study used both qualitative and quantitative methods. The qualitative component consisted of six questions presented to caregivers at individual or couple interviews. Major themes identified in the response to these questions indicated that participants are generally feeling under-supported and disrespected by social services staff, overwhelmed by the range, severity and difficulty of their children's behaviours, isolated in their role, unable to access relief care and a lack of provision and support for training in local areas. Participants also indicated a desire for training on the etiology and management of difficult child behaviours, managing birth family contact and legal issues relating to allegations and permanency. Areas of current support that caregivers indicated are useful included the support provided by Caregiver Liaison Social Workers, school and early childhood education staff, general practitioners, and other caregivers The quantitative component consisted of a survey covering basic demographic information. A modified child behavioural checklist, containing selected items from the 'Child Behaviour Checklist' and the 'Assessment Checklist for Children' was constructed to assess the range of problematic child behaviours caregivers are experiencing and how prepared they felt in dealing with them. Findings indicated that the participants are experiencing a range of severe behaviours well outside the normal experience of parents but are consistent with those reported in the international literature for children in care. The PSI was used to assess caregiver's stress levels relating to their parenting role. Participants reported high levels of stress particularly in the child domain of the PSI with sub-scales in the high to clinical range across this domain. Implications of theses results are discussed including implications for the caregivers, social welfare practices and the development of future training packages for caregivers.

Jaunuoliams netekusiems tėvų globos turimi socialiniai santykiai ir jų kokybė yra svarbus išorinės paramos šaltinis. Pozityvūs ir konstruktyvūs bendravimo įgūdžiai, gebėjimas užmegzti ir palaikyti ilgalaikius socialinius ryšius yra viena iš sėkmingos adaptacijos visuomenėje prielaidų. Daug vaikų, patenkančių į globos institucijas, stokoja konstruktyvių socialinių įgūdžių. Prieraišumo sutrikimai vaikystėje bei kitos emocinės problemos sąlygoja nesugebėjimą užmegzti ilgalaikių, emocinį pasitenkinimą tenkinančių ryšių. Temos aktualumas. Temą nagrinėti skatina šios srities lietuviškos literatūros stoka ir ji pateikiama kaip bendro pobūdžio informacija. Taip pat ši tema yra mažai nagrinėjama moksliniuose darbuose. Krizes patiriančių šeimų vaikų tolimesnei socializacijai yra svarbūs, ir visuomet išliks būtini, ryšiai su artimiausiais šeimos nariais – tėvais, broliais, seserimis. Todėl viena svarbiausių socialinio darbo krypčių išlieka vaikų, esančių globoje, šeimos narių švietimas ir pagalba siekiant išsaugoti artimus ryšius su vaikais. Tyrimo objektas − laikinojoje globoje gyvenusių jaunuolių socialiniai ryšiai. Tyrimo tikslas – analizuoti jaunuolių gyvenusių laikinojoje globoje socialinius ryšius. Pirmoje šio darbo dalyje apžvelgiama Lietuvos valstybės politika netekusiam tėvų globos, vaikui, labiau išryškinant laikinąją globą (rūpybą) ir socialinio darbuotojo vaidmenį teikiant pagalbą tėvų globos netekusiems vaikams. Antroje darbo dalyje aptariama globoje esančių vaikų... [toliau žr. visą tekstą] / Social relationships and their quality constitute a very important source of exterior support for young people who have lost parental care. Positive and constructive communication skills and ability to form and maintain long-lasting social relationships are among the conditions for successful adaptation. Most of the children, who come to the institutions of social care are lacking in the constructive social skills. Attachment disorders in childhood and other emotional problems condition inability to form long-lasting, emotionally satisfying relationships. Importance of subject. The choice of the subject has been based on the lack of literature in Lithuanian in this area as well as tendency to treat the issue on the level of general information. The issue is not treated extensively in scientific works in general as well. Relationships with closest relatives – parents and siblings - are always important and necessary for the ongoing socialization of children of the families experiencing crisis. Therefore, one of the most important areas of social work is education and support of family members of children in social care, aiming to safeguard their close relationships with relatives. Object of research − social relationships of young people who have lived in temporary care. Aim of research – to analyze social relationships of young people who have lived in temporary care. The firs part of the paper is an overview of the politics of Lithuanian Republic towards a child who... [to full text]