Listening to adolescents in residential care : their perceptions about their social workers and social work interventions

Abstract

The aim of this study was to explore in-depth the perceptions of adolescents living in residential care, about their social workers and social work interventions and to identify common themes amongst the perceptions of these adolescents. A sample of ten young persons between the ages of thirteen and eighteen years was chosen for this qualitative research study. The findings of this study, according to the adolescents, revealed the need for field social workers to be more consistent and reliable and much more involved in the adolescents' care plans. The adolescents in fact stated that their relationships with their field social workers could improve if they shared more time together. On the other hand, adolescents' perceived their residential social workers as being reliable, trustworthy, understanding and supportive. Still the adolescents believed that their residential social workers should be more available for social work interventions. This study also revealed the need for field social worker, residential social workers and other professionals who are involved in the adolescents' care plan, to collaborate and communicate with each other more regularly.