Role and Contribution of Social Work Practice in Court Setting and Its Support System: The Case of Lideta Federal First Instance Court Addis Ababa
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Date
2016-09
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Addis Ababa University
Abstract
This study explored social work practice in court setting. With 4 in depth interview, 4 key
informant and 2 client participants the research has made an effort to explore the overall
practice of social work in courts by talking Lideta federal first instance court as an example. The
study tried to recognize the role contribution and challenges of social work practice and the
available resource in relation with the support system of the practice which is the referral
system. In depth interview participants were social work practitioners and key informant were
higher official in the president office of lideta federal first instance court, a judge, higher
officials in child justice project office. And client participants were service users of social work
in custody bench. Qualitative case study research method was implemented to undertake the
study. And thematic analysis method approach was used for data analysis. The research finding
indicated the baseline for social work practice in courts is best interest of the child which
emanates from CRC and FDRE constitution. And social work practice in courts work towards
safeguarding and promoting rights and benefits of children in contact with the justice system.
Social workers give intermediary, case management, guidance and mediation services for victim
children, children under cases in custody investigation and children in conflict with the law
consequently. They also assist the court by preparing expert recommendation and by making the
court child friendly to help the court find the truth. Another role of social workers is to facilitate
additional support for clients through the referral system, which is a huge resource for the
practice. Main challenges for the practice are, luck of regular training for social work
practitioners , limitation on accessibility of resources , miss perception and low attention given
for therole and contribution of the practice ,and luck of stress management mechanism for
practitioners. Contribution of social work practice for clients and the court, resource potential in
the referral system and challenges of using the referral system are also included in the research
Key words: court, social workers, referral system, child justice project office, role, contribution and challenges
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Keywords
Court; Social Workers; Referral System; Child Justice Project Office; Role; Contribution and Challenges