Living life on the edge : the role of the social worker in helping children and young persons attain stability in out-of-home care

Abstract

The use of a qualitative research method allowed me to carry out semi structured interviews. As a matter of fact, semi structured interviews were carried out with ten local social workers who all have an important role in the lives of the children and young persons who reside in out-of-home care placements. Three major themes emerged from these interviews, these being the lack of resources, consistency and support. Other critical issues which also emerged from these themes were the lack of services, change in social workers and the importance of support which should be given to social workers amongst others. The aim of this study is to inquire what roles local social workers play when working with children and young persons in out-of-home care. These roles are further investigated in terms of the work these professionals do in an attempt to help these children and younger persons attain stability.. Moreover, I, as the reseacher also delve into the challenges and obstacles which seem to hinder local social workers in their work towards stability. The conclusion of this research study provides various recommendations which attempt to fill in these gaps in the system and to further attain and maintain stability in the lives of the minors in care. Such themes and issues suggest that there are various lacunae in the system. Along with this, these themes and issue also indicate that important steps have to be taken in order for the concerned minors to feel a certain sense of stability.