Klaipėdos universitetas

In this article, we analyse the process of case management in the context of inter-institutional cooperation while providing aid to families at social risk in Lithuania. According to the theoretical framework, effective inter-institutional cooperation depends directly on the communication practice, and is oriented towards certain strategic goals, building a more effective system of social services, and improving opportunities for aid for families. In order to argue for the importance of inter-institutional cooperation as a significant aid tool for families at social risk, it is appropriate to examine the experiences and expectations of the participants in the process related to the management of interdependency between organisations and involvement in the exchange of necessary resources. With the help of analyses of the practice of inter-institutional cooperation in the case management process, we attempt to emphasise the essential factors in and obstacles to effective inter-institutional cooperation, assembling aid providers, planning, providing aid to the child and (or) family, and cooperating with government and local authority institutions, and other organisations.

This article presents the points of view of case managers about the possibilities of cooperating with social educators in providing assistance to adolescents who do not attend school. The article was based on an analysis of academic and normative literature, and on the findings of qualitative research conducted by the authors. The analysis of the qualitative research data highlighted the following findings: in the opinion of case managers, cooperation with social educators could be strengthened by joint meetings, workshops and joint supervisions. An algorithm of consistent cooperation was created in order to achieve changes and positive outcomes for the child’s well-being.