The thesis covers the topic about the response of Centres of Social Work (CSW) after the floods that occurred in Slovenia in August 2023. Ways of responding after floods to repair the damage is crucial, as they are one of the most frequent and devastating natural disasters in Slovenia. I researched how CSW responded immediately and one month after the floods, what people’s needs were identified by social workers as a result of the floods, what barriers social workers faced in providing assistance after the floods, how CSW cooperated with other organisations after the floods and what do social workers want to improve in CSW in case of work after the floods. The research is qualitative in nature, and I collected data using a structured questionnaire. My sample consists of 8 CSW working in the areas most affected by the floods. I found that after the floods, CSW did fieldwork, which is the most effective way of providing assistance and identifying the needs of the population. They set up crisis teams and provided psychosocial assistance, information, distribution of emergency supplies, accommodation and searched for volunteers. The response to the floods was based on guidelines from the State, the region, municipalities and local organisations, and in some centres on internal procedures for dealing with natural disasters. One month after the floods, the work and assistance continued in cooperation with municipalities and other organisations, while also maintaining contact with the affected individuals. Field work and conversations were key to identifying the needs of the population after the floods. The needs identified were psychosocial and material. During the provision of assistance, some obstacles were encountered, such as obstacles in the field, obstacles in receiving insufficient information from the lead agencies and not enough available professional staff. The CSW cooperated with local, national and non-governmental organisations, which was crucial for providing integrated assistance and an effective response after the floods. CSW worked together with other organisations to coordinated the search for those affected, to inform the population, the do the fieldwork, to distribute assistance needed and to eliminate the consequences of the floods. Mobile teams were set up to provide psychosocial support in the field, with social workers providing counselling, debriefing and personal support. Most social workers were not part of these teams. Social workers observed that reduction of bureaucracy, being more informed, a better support network, more social workers, equipment and more resources for CSW, would help them with doing their tasks. In the future, more emphasis could be placed on helping people in need, providing psychosocial assistance, more fieldwork and assistance in filling in applications for aid, and better distribution of assistance and resources.
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