The inter-institutional social assistance to families at social risk: the case of Šilutė district

Abstract

The article analyzes the concept of inter-sectorial, inter-institutional cooperation in the context of family social assistance and it’s application in the Šilutė district, Western Lithuania. The article presents the results of the research of the development of cooperation between the municipal institutions in Šilutė district providing services to families at social risk. Inter-institutional cooperation was indicated as a method that helps systematically to assess the situation of families at social risk; sharing information, working in a team more effectively solves family problems. The emphasis was on formal cooperation to exchange relevant information and to sign a family support plan during case manager meetings. The benefits of institutional cooperation are highlighted, but it was revealed that not all stakeholders in the support network are equally involved in the process of cooperation; the effective results of inter-institutional cooperation in working with families at social risk are hampered by the gaps in the coordination of the process, by the lack of mental health services in the district; by too weak motivation and involvement of professionals.