Women in social services Accelerating the process of change

2016 ◽  
pp. 161-175
Author(s):  
Magda Urbańska

Many modern families face problems that hinder optimum functioning as a family or make it even impossible. Numerous overlapping adverse phenomena, including, but not limited to, unemployment, poverty, helplessness as regards childcare and upbringing matters, addictions, family violence, chronic illness or disability are reflected in prob-lems within a family. The foregoing calls for a greater support provided by social services to the multiproblem families.One of the new forms of helping the multiproblem families is family assis-tantship that was introduced under the Act of 9 June 2011 concerning family sup-port and alternative care systems. Fam-ily assistant is responsible for carrying out individualized, in-depth work with a family experiencing difficulties in fulfilling the childcare and upbringing func-tions and is responsible for supporting them during the process of change. Pro-fessional support provided by a family assistant gives a chance to many fami-lies to overcome difficulties and prevents placement of children under alternative care.


2002 ◽  
Vol 26 (8) ◽  
pp. 299-301 ◽  
Author(s):  
R. Alexander ◽  
A. Regan ◽  
S. Gangadharan ◽  
S. Bhaumik

Aims and MethodA postal survey was sent to all consultants in the psychiatry of learning disability from four English regions. Their views on job satisfaction, their core roles and the management re-structuring of services were elicited.ResultsThe proportion agreeing or strongly agreeing with each management option was 79% for integrated mental health–learning disability trusts, 61% for specialist learning disability trusts, 47% for care trusts, 10% for primary care trusts and 5% for social services. Only 34% felt consulted or able to influence the process of change and only 33% were satisfied with the current management changes within their trust but 67% were satisfied overall with their jobs.Clinical ImplicationsManagement from integrated mental health–learning disability trusts is the most preferred option for psychiatrists in learning disability. A large number of consultants, though otherwise satisfied with their jobs, feel excluded or unable to influence the current changes in management structures. A model of integrated service provision in line with the government's learning disability strategy is presented.


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