Social worker – humanist person with a higher education, the bridge between citizens and state agencies, needs and resources. Today, social worker is one of the most needed services in Azerbaijan.
Families may be considered as the most dominant informal institution in Azerbaijan. Families comprise children, adults and the elderly, so when social problems such as poverty, disability, homelessness or unemployment affects one member, it may affect the whole family. Therefore, UAFA recommends that social support is directed through the family and has designed a system of FAMILY SUPPORT WORKERS to act a bridge between underprivileged or vulnerable families and society.
UAFA trains Social Workers to do the following activities:
- Support parents, give advice and provide information
- Assess, monitor and evaluate a child’s developmental progress
- Maintain accurate documentation of the interventions with the family
- Liaise with other service providers who can support families facing social problems
- Follow-up regularly to check on progress and celebrate success (empowering)
There are many children and families in Azerbaijan suffering from social problems (poverty, ignorance, disability, unemployment, violence, early marriage, lack of housing etc.) In most cases these families either suffer in silence or send endless letters to government bodies and businesses asking for help, usually financial. Government bodies and businesses receive many letters from such families. They do not know where to start or how to prioritize these problems. Secondly, they do not have experience, time or resources to help everyone. ‘
A teacher grows minds; a doctor fixes the body; a social worker mends lives’.
It does not matter if a family is wealthy or poor, if the country is wealthy or poor, there are many disasters in life that can reduce a family to ruin very quickly. They need access to quick support, a person who can empower them to overcome their difficult life situation.
