LTSiekiant, kad socialinės paslaugos šeimoms ir vaikams būtų suteiktos laiku ir kokybiškai, svarbus skirtingų socialinių institucijų darbuotojų (socialinių darbuotojų, vaiko teisių apsaugos specialistų), teikiančių paslaugas šeimoms ir vaikams, bendradarbiavimas. Straipsnyje nagrinėjamo tyrimo objektas – socialinio darbuotojo ir vaiko teisių apsaugos specialisto bendradarbiavimas pabrėžiant jo svarbą. Straipsnio tikslas – atskleisti socialinio darbuotojo ir vaiko teisių apsaugos specialisto bendradarbiavimo svarbą. Uždaviniai: 1) teoriškai pagrįsti socialinio darbuotojo ir vaiko teisių apsaugos specialisto bendradarbiavimo svarbą; 2) atlikti socialinio darbuotojo ir vaiko teisių apsaugos specialisto bendradarbiavimo svarbos subjektyvaus vertinimo tyrimo analizę. Probleminis klausimas: kaip socialiniai darbuotojai ir vaiko teisių apsaugos specialistai vertina bendradarbiavimo svarbą? Tyrimo hipotezė: socialiniai darbuotojai ir vaiko teisių apsaugos specialistai pripažįsta bendradarbiavimo svarbą. Atliekant teorinę analizę taikyti mokslinės literatūros ir dokumentų lyginamosios analizės bei apibendrinimo metodai. Empirinio tyrimo duomenys surinkti anketinės apklausos metodu. Tyrimas atliktas 2022–2023 metais. Tyrimo imtis – socialiniai darbuotojai ir vaiko teisių apsaugos specialistai. Tyrime dalyvavo 448 tiriamieji, iš kurių 224 yra socialiniai darbuotojai ir 224 yra vaiko teisių apsaugos specialistai. Tyrimo duomenys nagrinėti aprašomosios statistikos, statistinės analizės metodais. Tyrimo analizė atskleidė, kad socialiniams darbuotojams ir vaiko teisių apsaugos specialistams tarpusavio bendradarbiavimas yra ypač svarbus. Minėtiems specialistams tarpusavio bendradarbiavime svarbus informacijos gavimo operatyvumas ir dalijimasis informacija. Specialistai nori, kad bendradarbiaujant jų tarpusavio santykiai būtų paremti abipuse pagarba ir visi siektų bendro tikslo.Socialiniams darbuotojams, palyginti su vaiko teisių apsaugos specialistais, bendradarbiavime svarbesnis lygiagretus atsakomybės pasiskirstymas, visų specialistų dalyvavimas pagalbos teikimo procese ir bendri pokalbiai. Taip pat svarbu akcentuoti, kad visiems specialistams bendradarbiavimas yra svarbus tuo, kad dėl jo paslaugos suteikiamos kokybiškiau, efektyviau suvaldomos krizinės situacijos ir tai labai naudinga vaiko gerovei. Reikšminiai žodžiai: bendradarbiavimas; socialinis darbuotojas; vaiko teisių apsaugos specialistas. [Iš leidinio]
ENThis article analyses the importance of collaboration between the social worker and the child rights protection specialist. In order for good-quality social services to be provided to families and children in a timely manner, collaboration between employees of different social institutions (social workers and child rights protection specialists) that provide services to families and children is important. The object of the article is collaboration between the social worker and the child rights protection specialist, with emphasis being placed on its importance. The aim of the article is to reveal the importance of collaboration between the social worker and the child rights protection specialist. The following tasks were set to achieve this goal: to theoretically substantiate the importance of collaboration between the social worker and the child rights protection specialist; and to carry out a research analysis of the subjective assessment of the importance of collaboration between the social worker and the child rights protection specialist. This research primarily addresses the following question: How do social workers and child rights protection specialists assess the importance of collaboration? The research hypothesis is as follows: social workers and child rights protection specialists recognise the importance of collaboration. The research methods of analysis of scientific literature and documents and comparative analysis were used in this study. The questionnaire survey method was used to collect research data. The data collected were analysed using the methods of descriptive statistics, graphic representation, and correlation analysis. SPSS (Statistical Package for Social Sciences) software (SPSS 20 version package) and MS Excel 2016 were used for data analysis. During the theoretical analysis, the methods of comparative analysis and generalisation of scientific literature and documents were applied.This empirical research aims to investigate the importance of collaboration between the social worker and the child rights protection specialist. To achieve this aim, a quantitative research strategy was applied. Quantitative research was chosen as it is a quick and convenient method that helps to include the largest number of social workers and child rights protection specialists who can be reached in a virtual way, and provides the opportunity to compare the opinions of social workers and child rights protection specialists on the importance of collaboration. The research examines the connections and interrelationships between social workers and child rights protection specialists. The empirical research data were collected via a questionnaire survey in 2022–2023. A pilot study was also conducted, during which the reliability of the questionnaire was measured through Cronbach’s alpha coefficient. The reliability estimate of the questionnaire (Cronbach’s alpha) was 0.964, which shows very good reliability. The research sample consisted of social workers and child rights protection specialists. There were 448 subjects who participated in the study: 224 social workers and 224 child rights protection specialists. The research data were analysed using descriptive statistics and statistical analysis. The following selection criteria were applied to social workers: 1) social workers working with families in institutions providing social services and having at least 2 years of work experience; and 2) social workers with a degree in social work. The following selection criteria were applied to specialists of the State Child Rights Protection and Adoption Service: 1) specialists of the State Child Rights Protection and Adoption Service working in territorial departments and having at least 2 years of work experience; and 2) specialists of the State Child Rights Protection and Adoption Service with a degree in the social work study field.The following ethical principles were observed: voluntary consent to participate in the research, awareness, data protection, ensuring anonymity and confidentiality, and the avoidance of harm to respondents. The limitations and difficulties of the research include the problems of sample limitation: the respondents had to have computers, had to know how to use them, and had to have Internet access in case of an email or an online survey. For the researchers, the problem of reversibility was encountered. It was only possible to reach the required number of research participants after contacting the heads of the territorial departments of the State Child Rights Protection and Adoption Service and the managers of social workers working with families, after having presented the research again, and after having asked to mediate in motivating the employees to participate in the research. The analysis of theoretical sources shows that the stronger and more effective management of the situation of families and children experiencing social risks is ensured by means of smooth collaboration. Clarifying the goals of collaboration can help unite collaborating institutions and achieve common goals. It is important for collaborating institutions to clarify what each party hopes to gain when collaborating – both for their institution and for themselves (Villagrana, 2020). Langenderfer-Magruder et al. (2019) note that good communication improves the quality of case monitoring and relapse support, the timeliness of necessary resources, support for better decision-making, and the reduction of inter-institutional competition and inconsistent demands. Bai et al. (2019) indicate that interagency collaboration between the child welfare system and community agencies is necessary to achieve optimal child welfare outcomes. [...] Keywords: child rights protection specialist; collaboration; importance; social worker.