Care worker's position on the involvement of parents in the process on residential treatment institutions

When a child enters institutional education, we must be aware of the fact that this process involves teachers, parents and the child. The three entities have their own expectations, experiences, values and viewpoints. Our research aimed at presenting the viewpoint of care workers and their opinion on the involvement of parents whose children suffer from emotional disorders and behavioural problems and are attending educational institutions or living in residential groups in the Republic of Slovenia. We were particularly interested in their viewpoint about: the parents whose children have behavioural and emotional issues; the success achieved when the parents are involved in the educational process; appropriate spatial and material conditions for working with the parents; professional assistance and support and cooperation with experts dealing with the family of the child attending the institution. The survey questionnaire distributed among care workers intended to determine the following points: is it possible to improve cooperation with parents; are we taking into account the child's rights and the rights of the parents to help develop their relationship; the rate of exchange of information between external experts and experts working at the institution; which factors are crucial for successful cooperation. The research was conducted using both a descriptive and a non-experimental causal method. Data was acquired through quantitative approach. The research was original and innovative because it focused on the relation and viewpoint of care workers towards cooperation with and involvement of parents in the educational process –essential factors influencing the entire relationship and the success of education in the educational institution. Results provide insight into the advantages and disadvantages of including the parents into institutional education and point to certain elements that the care workers found positive. The scientific contribution of this master's thesis lies in the analysis of the current situation in order to assess it and contribute to formulating guidelines for more effective expert assistance, and to spread the knowledge of working with parents