Annual of social work, Vol. 23 No. 3, 2016.
Preliminary communication
https://doi.org/10.3935/ljsr.v23i3.126
INITIAL ASSESSMENT OF NEEDS IN CASES OF DOMESTIC VIOLENCE FROM THE PERSPECTIVE OF CLIENTS AND EXPERTS FROM THE SOCIAL CARE CENTRE ZAGREB
Sunčica Dominiković Šafranić
; Department of expertise, professional rehabilitation and employment of persons with disabilities, Zagreb, Croatia
Maja Laklija
orcid.org/0000-0002-2580-4983
; Department of Social Work Faculty of Law University of Zagreb, Zagreb, Croatia
Abstract
This paper presents the results of research investigating the experience of applying the initial assessment form in cases of domestic violence from the perspective of clients (N=10) and social workers from the Social Care Centre Zagreb, branch office Dubrava (N=9), as well as their opinions on how to improve it. The qualitative approach was used for gathering and analysing data. In cases of domestic violence, clients regard the process of initial assessment as professional help, structured guidance, raising awareness of the responsibility for their choices, through their own initial attitude towards the system and through experienced emotions/emotional states. In cases involving risk of domestic violence, experts regard the process of initial assessment as client triage, a procedure used to inform clients that reduces stress and facilitates their work after
the assessment. Clients have experienced the initial assessment forms in cases involving risk of domestic violence through its structure (clear and specific questions, adequate number of questions) and its content (cover main areas, guide the conversation, encourage expression of feelings, describe the course of events and enter clients’ personal space). The forms are useful to experts because they provide basic information about a client, as well as guidelines for further treatment and assessment of initial needs. Client suggestions included introducing evaluation and speeding up the procedure. The experts recommend changing the practice of acquiring clients’ signatures and defining more clearly when to fill in the form. Based on answers acquired from clients and experts it can be concluded that the form and procedure for initial assessment in cases of domestic violence have been regarded as useful and applicable in every day practice, and that they contribute to raising the
quality of social services in the field of risk assessment.
Keywords
initial assessment; domestic violence; client; social worker
Hrčak ID:
177444
URI
Publication date:
15.3.2017.
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