Ethically and emotionally challenging moments in substitute care work

This presentation is based on the ongoing research project, which examines emotionally and ethically challenging moments in substitute care work. The research project is carried out with social workers, residential care... [ view full abstract ]

This presentation is based on the ongoing research project, which examines emotionally and ethically challenging moments in substitute care work. The research project is carried out with social workers, residential care workers and foster parents in two Finnish municipalities.

Social work with children in care and substitute care work is human activity, which is encountered critical events, unpredictable twists and surprises. Working with children in care is emotionally and ethically challenging and stressful. Sometimes it may be also serious threat to the safety of children and staff.

Laura Steckley and Mark Smith (2011) have described the differences in work orientation between social work and substitute care work through Nodding´s (1984) conceptualization. The concept of care is divided in the two dimensions, "caring about" and "caring for" children. “Caring about” reflects a general predisposition to see that children are well treated but does not require the provision of direct care. “Caring about” is related social work, children's rights and care assessment of the situation of children, while “caring for” refers to everyday life space shared with children and adults in foster care and institutions of care. Care relations in substitute care are also associated with institutional power relations and strong emotions. These challenges are related to the everyday life with children, the nature of surprises and the extensive duration of care work.

In this presentation we present preliminary findings of the differences in work orientation based on social workers´ and care workers' narratives. We are interested in what they write about ethically and emotionally challenging situations.