Families will benefit from better social services as a result of the support from the EU and UNICEF

Tbilisi, Georgia, 30 May 2023. At the closing meeting attended by the representatives of the Ministry of Internally Displaced Persons from the Occupied Territories, Labor, Health and Social Affairs, the Agency For State Care And Assistance For the Victims of Human Trafficking, Georgian Association of Social Workers, UNICEF and the European Union (EU), the results of the joint initiative aimed at strengthening social work were discussed.

The initiative was part of the ongoing project funded by the European Union and was implemented over 18 months. The project aimed at assisting the Agency for State Care and Assistance for the Victims of Human Trafficking in improving the quality of social work.

The initiative resulted in the following:

• Case management system for social work was improved including individual response to the diverse needs of children and families.  
• A system of professional supervision of social workers was created and developed.
• A system of specialization of professionals was introduced to organize and manage the social work in different thematic areas.
• A system for identification, assessment, and response to the risks of suicide and sexual abuse was created and introduced with 437 social work professionals (social workers, psychologists, professional supervisors, and lawyers) trained on early identification and prevention of the risks of suicide and sexual abuse against children.
• A system of training and life-long education of social workers and the mechanism for evaluating social workers were developed and introduced.
• A concept on how social workers can intervene to support and rehabilitate children and families was developed.

“Professional and accessible social work is instrumental for positive social change”, said Agata Nieboj, Rule of Law, Security and Human Rights Team Leader at the European Union Delegation to Georgia.

“Thanks to this project and the support from the European Union, social workers have improved their services. We are glad to contribute to empowering vulnerable groups and strengthening families in Georgia” - Agata Nieboj, Rule of Law, Security and Human Rights Team Leader at the European Union Delegation to Georgia.

“A well-planned, developed, and supported social service workforce is crucial for addressing poverty, violence and social inclusion”, said Amy Clancy, UNICEF Deputy Representative in Georgia. “Thanks to the European Union and their continuous support, UNICEF will work together with the Agency for State Care and Assistance for the Victims of Human Trafficking to further strengthen social workers to better support communities, families and children,” added Ms. Clancy.

“A well-planned, developed, and supported social service workforce is crucial for addressing poverty, violence and social inclusion” - Amy Clancy, UNICEF Deputy Representative in Georgia

High-quality social work contributes to the protection of the rights of children and families, as these rights play a crucial role in meeting the basic and complex needs of communities and people, especially the most vulnerable. This includes working with the population, identifying problems and making appropriate referrals as needed, as well as informing and counseling families and groups who need existing services and support packages.

The three-year project ‘Strengthening Systems and Services for Child Protection in Georgia’ funded by the European Union is aimed to strengthen legislation, policies and guidance to support the de-institutionalization process; and enhance the capacity of the professional workforce at central and municipal levels to support and protect children and families in Georgia.