Naslov
Institutionalization of Children with Disabilities in Croatia: Social Workers' Perspectives

Autori
Laklija, Maja ; Milić Babić, Marina ; Cheatham, Leah

Vrsta, podvrsta i kategorija rada
Sažeci sa skupova, sažetak, znanstveni

Izvornik
Society for Social Work and Research 24th Annual Conference - Reducing Racial and Economic Inequality / - Washington (MD), 2020

Skup
Society for Social Work and Research 24th Annual Conference - Reducing Racial and Economic Inequality

Mjesto i datum
Sjedinjene Američke Države, 15.01.2020. - 19.01.2020

Vrsta sudjelovanja
Poster

Vrsta recenzije
Međunarodna recenzija

Ključne riječi
institucionalizacija, djeca s teškoćama u razvoju, Hrvatska, socijalni rad
(Institutionalization, Children with Disabilities, Croatia, Social Workers’ Perspectives)

Sažetak
It is widely accepted that the family represents the optimal environment for children.1 Despite this recognition, many children with disabilities (CwDs) reside in institutional settings.2 Despite international attention, rates of institutionalization of children have trended upward within particular nations, including Croatia.3 Social workers are instrumental in decision making as brokers of social services and supports guaranteed to families by international law..4 Hence, this study aims to advance understanding of social workers’ perceptions of the circumstances necessitating and preventing the placement of children with disabilities in institutions.Recruitment: The data were collected over a 4-months (2012-2013) through social welfare centres in the Republic of Croatia.. Participants: Initial Focus Group  7 Social Workers Semi-structured Interviews  12 Social Workers All 19 participants were female with 1-25 years of experience working with CwDs (M=19.7). Data Collection: Informed by an ecological framework, 5 questions centered around 3 themes: (1) circumstances that preceded placement of CwDs in institutions, (2) circumstances that prevented institutionalization of CwDs, and (3) purpose of placing CwDs in institutions. Data Analysis: Using inductive processes, data were sifted, charted and sorted in accordance with key themes by at least 3 researchers.Circumstances preceding the institutionalization of CwDs Limitations within the family Diminished parental capacity was an oft-cited reason for institutionalization of children, including parents with psychological or substance use disorders, lower intellectual ability, or in ongoing cases of parental abuse or neglect. Social workers described children’s disability as a cause for abandonment within the maternity ward, where “mother refuse[d] to take over or even see the child for fear of getting attached…” Family stressors, such as parental separation, low financial status, and other children requiring care and resources contributed toward trying conditions for families caring for CwDs. Limitations within the community Specialized needs for children’s education and medical care, which were unavailable within the community, often led to institutionalization. Circumstances preventing institutionalization of CwDs Quality community-based care Services of value in preventing institutionalization included rehabilitation therapy for children, family counselling, as well as formal and informal support to families in the community. Social welfare rights Participants highlighted numerous rights, including: entitlement to parent caregiver status, leave of absence (citing generous leave policies of up to 8 years), financial benefits (e.g., extended disability benefits, child support, and care allowances) and assistance with integration in mainstream educational programs. Perceived purpose of institutionalization of CwDs Strategy to meet the needs of CwDs Institutionalization was deemed an effective remedy in cases where rehabilitation had failed, parents were unable to manage CwDs behavioural, educational or medical needs. Temporary strategy to provide parents with an opportunity for capacity-building. Several participants viewed institutionalization as a temporary opportunity to provide support to parents (i.e., enhancing caregiving capacities or other parental competencies). Social workers identified numerous parental and child attributes, social and environmental factors associated with institutionalization of children with disabilities in Croatia, which closely align with factors noted internationally.7, 8 While it is challenging to determine the necessity of institutionalization within the cases cited, reports raise concerns about uniformity of the UN’s CRC implementation and intensify the call to examine the adequacy of resources for families of CwDs.9 According to social workers’ accounts, availability of early intervention services and legal mechanisms, such as parent-caregiver status and entitlement to related benefits, significantly decreased rates of family separation. Social workers also highlighted the advantages of foster care and emphasized the need to encourage kinship care and specialized foster care, which have not yet been successfully implemented in Croatia. Behind foster care, the benefits of respite care were also noted. Yet, disparities in service availability by region were noted ; therefore, future attention should be given to assessing and addressing service inequities. In the view of some social workers, temporary institutionalization allowed opportunity for improvement of parental competence. However, because institutionalization imposes many constraints (e.g., fixed time for meals, changing clothes, medical rounds) opportunities for family contact may be limited, thereby reducing the chances of reunification with family.10 These realities point to the importance of continued evaluation of the need for institutionalization as part of a path to permanency (in a family setting) for CwDs.

Izvorni jezik
Engleski

Znanstvena područja
Socijalne djelatnosti

POVEZANOST RADA