Parental manipulation of children and family disruption: experiences of experts in social welfare system

Tema manipulacije djecom dolazi u fokus znanstvenih radova jer je broj spomenutih predmeta u centrima za socijalnu skrb sve veći, što su naglasili i sudionici ovog istraživanja. Stručni timovi centara za socijalnu skrb igraju ključnu ulogu u postizanju dijaloga između bivših partnera kada imaju zajedničku djecu, a sve u svrhu ostvarivanja najboljeg interesa djeteta. Međutim, postoje određene okolnosti koje stručnjacima otežavaju postizanje spomenutog cilja. Cilj ovog rada bio je dobiti uvid u iskustvo stručnjaka koji rade sa slučajevima u kojima je prisutna manipulacija djecom tijekom visokokonfliktnog razdvojenog roditeljstva s naglaskom na aspekt organizacije rada ustanove u kojoj su zaposleni i obrazovanje stručnjaka o navedenoj problematici. Sudionici istraživanja bili su stručni djelatnici odjela za djecu, mlade i obitelj iz tri centra za socijalnu skrb te podružnice Obiteljski centar Vukovarsko-srijemske županije. Provedena je anketa s pitanjima otvorenog tipa te kvalitativna analiza prikupljenih podataka. Rezultati ukazuju na zadovoljstvo organizacijom rada, ali da stručnjake u radu ograničava manjak zaposlenih, slaba međusektorska suradnja te premalo usluga u lokalnim zajednicama. Po pitanju obrazovanja stručnjaka o temi manipulacije djecom, odgovori su ukazivali na to da je tema tijekom studija premalo zastupljena i da je potrebno osmisliti načine kako je implementirati.The topic of manipulation of children comes into the focus of scientific papers because the number of such cases in social care centers is increasing, which was emphasized by the participants in this research. The professional teams of social care centers play the main role in achieving dialogue between spouses when they have joint children with the aim of achieving child’s best interest. However, there are certain circumstances that make it difficult for professionals to achieve this goal. The aim of this paper was to gain insight into the experience of professionals working with cases where thechild manipulation is present during high-conflict separated parenting with emphasis on the aspect of work organisation in the institution where they work and education of experts on this issue. The participants in the research were experts from the department for children, youth and family from three social welfare centers and the Family Center in Vukovar-Srijem County. Research metod that was used is survey with opened questions and a qualitative analysis of the collected data. The results indicate satisfaction with work organisation, but professionals are limited by staff shortages, weak cross-sectoral cooperation and lack of services in local communities. Regarding the education of experts on the topic of child manipulation, the answers indicated that the topic was underrepresented during the studies and that it was necessary to devise ways to implement it