The role of social workers in the provision of support services to families of children and youth with disabilities in Latvia, Slovakia, and Portugal

Abstract

The current qualitative case study aims at exploring the role of social workers in the provision of support services to families of children and youth with disabilities in Latvia, Slovakia, and Portugal. To get a deeper understanding of the knowledge and lived experiences of professionals, a qualitative research design was used. Using purposive sampling, a total of fifteen participants, out of whom eleven were social workers, one was a school educator, one was a special educator, and two were special pedagogues, were chosen. The professions work closely with families of children and youth with disabilities in the provision of support services. Online and in-person interviews were used to gather the data. Even though most of the participants agreed to a faceto-face interview, there were a few who were not able to participate in person due to language and the nature of work; therefore, an online means of gathering the data was used. A thematic analysis was used to identify themes in the study that explained the available support and social services to families, which come from both private and public institutions. The study also revealed community-based services (deinstitutionalization), which included inclusive education and support services, transport and environmental adjustments, rehabilitation and therapies, respite, and homecare support. Besides formal support services, informal support and charity are also very essential to this target group; parental groups and clubs are important in exchanging information about available services. Finally, the study aimed to emphasize the role of social workers in the provision of support services.