Atvejo vadybos taikymo veiksmingumas: atvejo vadybininkų ir vaiko teisių apsaugos specialistų patirtys
Recenzentas / Rewiewer |
Licencinė sutartis Nr. MRU-EDT-1655.
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Title of the final thesis – The effectiveness of case management implementation: experiences of case managers and child rights protection specialists. Aim of the research – To reveal the effectiveness of the case management implementation by analyzing theoretical aspects and drawing on the experiences of case managers and child rights protection specialist Objectives of the research: The effectiveness of case management. The goals of the research – 1. To analyze the application of case management from a theoretical perspective; 2. To review how effectiveness is defined in literature and what criteria are used for evaluation. 3. To examine how case managers and child rights protection specialists assess the effectiveness of case management based on their professional experience. The research methods: 1. The legal acts and regulations governing case management and the professional role of the case manager were analyzed. 2. Literature analysis. 3. Semi – structured interviews were conducted with case managers and child rights protections specialists. This research method was chosen to reveal professionals’ experiences regarding the effectiveness of case management applications, to identify the goals they set to ensure effectiveness, the criteria they apply, and their recommendations for improving case management. The collected data were analyzed using qualitative content analysis. The theoretical framework begins by defining case management as a structured, coordinated method used by case managers to support families facing social difficulties. The essence of case management is to thoroughly examine the current situation, ensuring a structured approach and timely assistance that is carefully aligned with the specific needs of families and children involved. The main objectives are to set clear goals, promote cooperation between different agencies, and, most importantly, prioritize welfare of the child. The empirical findings of the thesis, derived from semi – structured interviews with professionals, brought to light the complex, multi – faceted nature of effectiveness in case management. Interviewees highlighted the significance of establishing concrete and achievable goals that correspond to the family’s specific circumstances and abilities. Structured planning is instrumental in ensuring that support is provided progressively and in a way that does not overwhelm the family unit. Diverse methods for evaluating effectiveness were identified in practical application. Specialists acknowledged utilizing both subjective and objective indicators. Subjective indicators encompass direct expressions of gratitude from families, improvements in emotional well – being, and overall satisfaction with the services provided. Objective indicators focus on metrics like task completion, participation in services and the absence of newly reported risk. Feedback provided by partner institutions, particularly those with direct involvement with the child, was also recognized as being important in comprehending real progress. From the client’s perspective, effectiveness was described as closely linked to observable changes in their everyday lives. In case of substance abuse, this was reflected in long – term sobriety, renewed engagement in their parental responsibilities. Conversely, in situations of parental separation, effectiveness was gauged through the parents’ capacity to shield the child from conflict and to prioritize the child’s emotional safety. Nevertheless, the research also unveiled several barriers that hinder the achievement of effectiveness. The main challenge was limited access to available services, which impeded the complete implementation of the support plan, even when needs were clearly defined. In addition, lack of family involvement, emotional burnout of professionals, and the difficulty of working with families experiencing separation were identified as significant limiting factors. Another important theme examined the impact of the case manager’s personal and professional attributes. Participants highlighted that empathy, exceptional communication skills, patience and the ability to build trust – based relationships are all instrumental in achieving effectiveness. Inter – agency collaboration was highlighted as a critical component of effective case management. Professionals emphasized that regular collaboration with different institutions is crucial in obtaining a thorough, all – encompassing understanding of the family’s overall situation. Finally, the study presented valuable perspectives from practitioners, delivering recommendations intended to boost the effectiveness of case management. Participants highlighted that some legal requirements, like implementing separate case management for families, increased bureaucratic burden without yielding tangible improvements. They proposed decreasing the caseloads for case managers, streamlining documentation protocols, and enhancing the efficiency of collaboration between the institutions involved. Suggestions included a call to make effectiveness evaluation clearer and more relevant to the practical experience of practitioners, and to guarantee that support plans are not only routinely reviewed formally, but also in a more substantive manner. These recommendations demonstrate the need for flexibility, clarity and institutional backing with the intention of improving the quality and overall impact of case management services.