Attitudes to child care reform in Romania: Findings from a survey of Romanian social workers

Abstract

This paper presents the findings of a survey of Romanian social workers' attitudes towards two key aspects of child and family social work in their country: namely, the development of foster care, and the regulation of inter-country adoption. Major changes to the law on these matters were introduced in Romania in 1997, and the paper links the research findings with discussion of the progress, and difficulties, of putting the new legislation into practice. The research was undertaken in spring 1999, by means of a self-completion questionnaire for social workers and workers in related occupations. Comparisons between the attitudes of the two groups, and analysis of differences within the social work group, generate insights into the ways in which the new approaches to child and family welfare are taking hold in Romania. The research highlights the wide range of opinions and beliefs within the social services workforce in Romania, and draws attention to the complex interaction of professional education, workplace culture, and government policy in shaping those attitudes. The conclusion offers some thoughts on ways forward for child care policy, practice, research, and training in Romania.

The paradox of inter‐country adoption: analysing Romania’s experience as a sending country

“…It must be challenging in the sense of actively stamping out corruption and insistently promoting in-country services; and it must be supportive in the sense of positively working to change attitudes and spread good practice, and improving the rewards of in-country work (cf. Dickens & Serghi, 2000a, 2000b.…”

“…The attractions take a variety of forms. At one end of the scale, some of these people will hold a genuine belief that inter-country adoption offers a better future for a child, particularly if the only option in Romania appears to be a childhood in institutional care (for discussion of a survey of Romanian social workers' attitudes to intercountry adoption, see Dickens & Serghi, 2000a). At the other end, there are undoubtedly those who make improper financial gain from arranging, or at least oiling the wheels of, inter-country adoptions.…”

“…The second factor is that -in a country where there is a well-established tradition of personnel in all lines of work asking for, and receiving, 'gifts' in return for a service or a favour -efforts to stamp out illegal practices in inter-country adoption often run up against the self-interest of those who should be at the forefront of the clampdown. The extent of corruption in intercountry adoption is widely perceived to reach to some of the highest levels of local and national government (Dickens & Serghi, 2000a).…”

The attitudes of medical professionals toward children and children at risk of separation from parents in Eastern Europe

“…This is evidenced, in part, by Romanian data revealing that the majority of instances whereby children are apparently abandoned by their caregiver take place in maternity wards, closely followed by hospitals and paediatric wards (Dickens & Serghi, 2000). The underlying decision making processes that occur within healthcare systems in relation to such cases are not clear and nor are the likely complex views of professionals who undertake assessments of children and make recommendations for care arrangements in hospitals and clinics.…”

Skateboarding behind the EU lorry—the experience of Romanian professionals struggling to cope with transition while assisting care leavers

“…Other literature looked at social workers' stresses and satisfactions (Dickens & Serghi, 2000a), their attitudes to childcare reform (Dickens & Serghi, 2000b), and the childcare system's general situation in relation to professionals (Arpinte, 2002). These studies present a picture of a system appearing to promote changes yet lacking standards, vision, prior reflection, consistency, resources, and clear objectives.…”