Socialinis Darbas: Patirtis ir Metodai (Oct 2022)
Successful professional relationship with the family in the process of providing social services: views of the social worker
Abstract
The the article discusses how social workers describe successful professional relationships in the process of working with a family seeking to highlight the successful efforts of social workers to create this interaction by focusing on the relationship-building aspect in the initial and implementation phases of the helping process. To achieve the aim of the study, a qualitative study was conducted, using a semi-structured interview method. The study involved seven social workers working with families in an institution providing social services. The age of the study participants is from 24 to 63 years. The main criterion for the selection of participants: a social worker who has been working with the family for at least two years. The results of the data demonstrate that during the initial contact, the social worker forms a sense of security and trust in herself by creating conditions for deeper mutual acquaintance (naming goals, providing hope, clearing family situation and expectations). Building relationship, raising human value and accepting the clients as they are, not blaming, empathizing them are important conditions not only fostering a sense of security, but also increasing self-confidence, which determines the client’s higher motivation for change. According to the research data, if a social worker has the goal of developing a relationship with the family, seeking to understanding, rather than focusing on problems, this presupposes the successful development of the relationship. The study showed that in developing relationships, it is very important to discuss the mutual relationship with the family, as it contributes to raising the family’s awareness. Keywords: professional relationship of social worker, social work with family, social worker, relation based social work.
