The topic of the master’s thesis is Ethical Dilemmas in Social Work with Adolescents in Criminal Proceedings. The theoretical part defines ethics in social work and ethical dilemmas. This is followed by a description of adolescence and the influence of external factors on adolescent behavior. Also described is work with adolescents in social work centers and adolescents as involuntary users. For the purpose of the research, 16 interview were conducted, each interview covering one of the Slovenian regions. This gave me a complete insight into the work of social workers in the fields of adolescents in criminal proceedings throughout Slovenia. The analysis of the interviews shows that social workers empathetically cooperate with adolescents and parents. Social workers are challenged by inadequate legislation, especially the Act on the Treatment of Children and Adolescents with Emotional and Behavioral Problems, which, in their opinion, make effective treatment difficult. Ethical dilemmas arise at the crossroads between the benefit of the adolescent and a system that doesn’t always work in their favor. Ath the end of the presentation of the results, I present advice on how to resolve ethical dilemmas that the social workers shared in the interviews. Finally, the social workers shared their advice for inexperienced social workers, which was based on protecting adolescents and their rights, and taking care of themselves.
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