Present master's thesis investigates attitudes of the professional staff to the life of adults with special needs residing in a specialized social care home, while also discussing and presenting the role of the social pedagogue in the institution.
The theoretical part presents the characteristics of people with special needs, the operation of Slovenian institutions for adults with special needs in the process of de-institutionalization, as well as concepts and work programs in special social care homes, designed on the basis of norms and standards of institutional care for adults with special needs.
In the empirical part, using descriptive methods and through analysis of the case of Petrovo Brdo Unit of the Retirement Home Podbrdo, which is intended for care and protection of adults with special needs, attitudes of the professional staff to the life of adults with special needs in the institution and to what is offered to them by the institution, is studied. In addition, based on the example of the same institution, the role of a social pedagogue in specialized social care home is presented, as well as his fields of work and what people with special needs, co-workers and institution can gain from his expertise. A qualitative approach has been used in the study. Data were obtained using primary and secondary sources, with partly-structured interviews with professional staff and documentation analysis, whereby special attention was paid to the potential divergence of data from primary and secondary sources.
Results of the research show that life of adults with special needs in a specialized social care home is structured and planned, and based on individual programs of support and assistance. The established structure enables functioning of the institution, and does not always put first the persons, who reside in the institution. This is recognized by professional staff, who is trying to reduce negative features of institutional living with their orientation towards people with special needs, co-workers and work itself. With their attitude, they aim at contributing to the well-being and content of people with special needs during their stay in the institution. As constraints in their professional work, professional staff indicated inadequate forms of support and assistance, as well as placement possibilities for people with special needs in Slovenia. Among the residents they recognize persons, which they consider being able to live in a less structured environment, with less support. Placement in a specialized social care home is seen as the most structured form of assistance and support, relevant for people with special needs who need assistance in all life activities most of the day. Professional staff is favourable to the idea of de-institutionalization and improvement of living conditions and residence of people with special needs. The studied institution has set its concept of transformation in the form of construction of a residential group, or else of two groups, in its vicinity. All the necessary documentation has been arranged, while the realisation of the idea failed due to lack of funding.
Participants in the survey indicate that social pedagogue is a linker between people with special needs and staff. With his knowledge and skills, he provides support and assistance to people with special needs, when through variety of working methods and the relationship established with them, reinforces the strong features of people with special needs, sets an example and teaches different techniques of dealing with problems and more appropriate forms of behaviour. At the same time, social pedagogue educates co-workers to better understand behaviour of people with special needs and to react in more appropriate manners. Based on the findings, the job profile of a social pedagogue as a specialist for work with people with special needs is justified and appropriate. Nevertheless, lack of profile's recognition is present directly in the working environment and beyond.
Findings of the master's thesis can contribute to the development of the social pedagogical science and to the placement of the social pedagogical profession also in the field of working with adults with special needs, also as an incentive to pay more attention to social pedagogical work in specialized social care homes and other forms of care for adults with special needs in the framework of university studies, and to include the social pedagogue in the context of employment policy as a professional profile with systemized position in specialized social care homes. At the same time, findings offer the possibility of a critical view to the functioning of these institutions, indicate possibilities for improvement and contribute to overcoming the lack of understanding of the content and importance of the professional work of employees in the institution. The results showed the attitudes of professional staff to the life of adults with special needs residing in a specialized social care home. These data may be important in breaking professional myths, as well as myths of general public about life in a specialized social care home. Constructive connections and cooperation among various actors in the field of support and care for adults with special needs (Network for deinstitutionalisation, activists, academics, staff in institutional forms of care for adults with special needs, families, etc.) can contribute to the improvement of services for people with special needs in Slovenia.
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