CHALLENGES FOR SOCIAL WORKERS DURING THE CORONAVIRUS PANDEMIC

Authors

  • Alexandra Teodora Lăcătuș-Iakab PhD Student, Doctoral School of Sociology Babeș-Bolyai University, Cluj-Napoca
  • Bela Olimpiu Lăcătuș-Iakab

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.47743/asas-2020-2-606

Keywords:

social assistance, vulnerable groups, pandemic, day centers, school dropout

Abstract

This article provides an overview of various important aspects of the work of the social workers in day care centers during the coronavirus pandemic. It explores how the activity of social workers is being affected by the Covid-19 pandemic as well as the impact of the use of online platforms for communication on the relationship of assistance. Interviews were conducted with 10 social workers working at 5 day care centers in Cluj-Napoca to explore the challenges they faced in order to prevent school dropout, in pandemic context. It were exemplified the ways in which the responsibilities of social workers are adapted to the context and measures imposed in the pandemic context. A low motivation for learning from students was emphasized as well as socioeconomic difficulties at the family level and the importance of face-to-face communication with beneficiaries was also stressed.

Author Biography

Bela Olimpiu Lăcătuș-Iakab

PhD Student, Doctoral School of Sociology Babeș-Bolyai University, Cluj-Napoca,

References

Banks, S., Cai, T., De Jonge, E. & Shears, J. (2020). Ethical challenges for social workers during Covid-19: A global perspective. International Federation of Social Workers.

Buzzi, P. & Megele, C. (2020). How social workers can tackle the ethical and practice challenges of Covid-19: guidance from PSWs. Community Care, available at: https://www.communitycare.co.uk/2020/04/06/how-social-workers-can-tackle-the-ethical-and-practice-challenges-of-covid-19-guidance-from-psws/, accessed on 10.10.2020.

Chivu, L. & Georgescu, G. (2020). Labour market vulnerabilities under the COVID-19 impact in Romania, MPRA, available at: https://mpra.ub.uni-muenchen.de/101676/1/ MPRA_paper_101676 pdf, accessed on 15.10.2020.

CNASR (2020). Recomandările Colegiului Național al Asistenților Sociali, pentru asistenții sociali care lucrează în domeniul acordării serviciilor sociale destinate persoanelor vârstnice, available at: https://main.components.ro/uploads/12c6a0967562 0f589055800ba6ceceee/2020/03/recomand-rile-colegiului-na-ional-al-asisten-ilor-sociali-pentru-asisten-ii-sociali-care-lucreaz-n-domeniul-acord-rii-serviciilor-sociale-destinate-persoanelor-v-rstnice.pdf, accessed on 15.10.2020.

Egan, G. (1998). The skilled helper. Books/Cole Publishing Company.

Farkas, K.J. & Romaniuk, J.R. (2020). Social work, ethics and vulnerable groups in the time of coronavirus and Covid-19. Society Register, 4(2), 67–82. doi:10.14746/ sr.2020.4.2.05.

Hepworth D. & Larsen J. (1986), Direct social work practice: theory and skills. Dorsey Press.

Ministerul Muncii, Familei, Protecției Sociale și Persoanelor Vârstnice (MMFPSPV). (2015). Strategia naţională privind incluziunea socială şi reducerea sărăciei 2015-2020. Available at: http://www.mmuncii.ro/j33/images/Documente/Familie/2016/StrategyVol1RO_web.pdf, accessed on 15.10.2020.

Rudin, P. (2020). COVID 19: The struggle, success and expansion of social work, The International Federation of Social Workers, Switzerland – available at: https://www.ifsw.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/05/2020-05-18-COVID-19-the-struggle-success-and-expansion-of-social-work-1.pdf.

Save the Children International. (2020). Studiu privind opiniile partenerilor educaționali cu privire la condițiile de începere a anului școlar 2020-2021 în condițiile pandemiei COVID 19 în România. Available at: https://www.salvaticopiii.ro/sci-ro/files/6c/6c17fec7-a1a0-4ec1-9163-2cac5ae3a99b.pdf, accessed on 30.10.2020.

UNICEF. (2020). Evalarea rapidă a situației copiilor și familiilor, cu accent pe categoriile vulnerabile, în contextul epidemiei de COVID 19 din România (Nr. 1). Unicef Romania. Available at: https://www.unicef.org/romania/ro/documents/evaluare-rapid%C4%83-situa%C5%A3iei-copiilor-%C5%9Fi-familiilor-cu-accent-pe-categoriile-vulnerabile-1, accessed on: 24.10.2020.

Voicu, M. (coord.). (2020). Pandemia COVID-19 din perspectivă demografică. Institutul de Cercetare a Calității Vieții, available at:

https://acad.ro/SARS-CoV-2/doc/d14-COVID-19_din_perspectiva_demografica.pdf.

Additional Files

Published

17-12-2020