A seminar titled “Challenging Cases, Difficult Questions: Being a Social Worker in Specialized Children’s Homes Campuses” was organized by the Department of Social Work at the Faculty of Health Sciences of Üsküdar University. The seminar addressed social work practices carried out with children involved in delinquency and those with substance use experiences, and evaluated the functioning of specialized children’s homes campuses and field practices.
The seminar was held at the Emirnebi 1 Conference Hall of Üsküdar University’s Çarşı Campus and hosted Social Worker Servet Akşit, who works at the Ağaçlı Children’s Homes Campus affiliated with the Istanbul Provincial Directorate of Family and Social Services.
The opening speech was delivered by Rector’s Advisor and Head of the Department of Social Work, Prof. İsmail Barış. Barış emphasized that specialization in the field of child protection should not be limited to a change in name, stating that the structure, management, and opportunities provided within the service are the determining factors.
Prof. İsmail Barış: “The concept of specialization gains meaning through its content”
Referring to legislation in the field of child protection, Prof. İsmail Barış highlighted the importance of institutional definitions within the framework of the Social Services Law No. 2828. Evaluating the practical implications of specialized children’s homes campuses, Barış said, “A change in name alone is not sufficient. If there is no transformation in the spirit, structure, and management of the service, it remains merely a conceptual change.”
Prof. Abdullah Karatay: “Every child has different needs and intervention methods”
The seminar was moderated by Prof. Abdullah Karatay, a faculty member of the Department of Social Work. Karatay addressed the historical development of child protection services and stated that the concepts of child welfare and child protection should be distinguished from one another. Emphasizing that child protection services are one of the core fields of the social work profession, Karatay said, “Every child has different needs and intervention methods.”
Servet Akşit: “Directing children to institutions suitable for their profiles is of great importance”
Guest speaker Social Worker Servet Akşit shared his field experiences related to practices carried out in specialized children’s homes campuses. Akşit noted that services for children involved in delinquency and those with substance use experiences are provided by a limited number of institutions across Türkiye, adding that the Ağaçlı Children’s Homes Campus plays an important role in this field.
Explaining the stages from taking children under protection to their placement in institutions, Akşit stated, “Directing children to institutions suitable for their profiles is of great importance. Placements are made by considering age, background, risk status, and group compatibility.”
Appropriate intervention in times of crisis
Drawing attention to the importance of field experience in the social work profession, Akşit noted that the long-standing experience of staff working in specialized institutions directly affects intervention processes. Emphasizing that working with children who have substance use experiences involves high risk and responsibility, Akşit stated that appropriate intervention during crisis situations is vital.
“The child’s opinion must be taken at every stage”
Responding to questions regarding the child’s consent and right to participation during the question and answer session, Akşit emphasized that, in accordance with the Convention on the Rights of the Child, the child’s opinion must be taken at every stage. Akşit said, “Taking the child’s opinion does not always mean that the decision will be implemented accordingly, but it is essential that the child is an active part of the process.”
The seminar concluded after answering students’ questions.
