Supervisors info:
Αθανάσιος Δουζένης, Καθηγητής, Ιατρική Σχολή, ΕΚΠΑ
Σοφία Μαρτινάκη, Επικουρη Καθηγήτρια, Τμήμα Κοινωνικής Εργασίας, ΠΑΔΑ
Χαρίσιος Ασημόπουλος, Καθηγητής, Τμήμα Κοινωνικής Εργασίας, ΠΑΔΑ
Summary:
Forensic social work is a field of social work practice that refers to the provision of services to people with mental disorders and at the same time are involved with the criminal justice system. In Greece, forensic social work is applied, among others, in the departments of the judicial system, such as the Services of Social Assistance Supervisors and Juvenile Supervisors, in Juvenile Protection Societies, but also in the departments of mental health system, such as in psychiatric hospitals, but also in the departments of social solidarity system. Due to the limited reports on the context of forensic social work in Greece, the need to for research regarding the scope and role of social workers arose.
Social workers have a wide range of responsibilities in the context of forensic social work practice and face several difficulties and challenges. Challenges may include an unclear institutional framework regarding the responsibilities of social workers in forensic facilities, lack of available services and personnel for case management of forensic cases, difficulties in reintegration into the community and independent living of forensic cases, bureaucratic and administrative deficiencies, stigmatization and marginalization of forensic cases.
The purpose of the study was to research the framework of the practice of forensic social work in Greece, as well as to highlight any challenges faced by social workers working in this field. A qualitative approach was chosen as the research method of this study. Semistructured interviews were selected to collect the data. The sample of the research was 11 social workers, who are employed in forensic psychiatry agencies. Taking into account the current situation regarding the field of application of forensic social workers and the challenges they face, the need for the establishment of institutional framework for the responsibilities of forensic social workers and to ensure its implementation, emerges. Furthermore, the development of expertise and tools to assist social workers in forensic social work practice is extremely important. In addition, the restructuring and upgrading of the education of social workers, as well as the development of specialty at postgraduate level, is also deemed necessary.
Keywords:
Forensic social work, Social workers’ responsibilities, Forensic social work Institutional framework, Forensic social work practice, Forensic specialization
