The Social Needs of Children and Families in Azerbaijan

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Results of the survey conducted to learn more about the social needs of children and families in Azerbaijan / 2008

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R E S U L T S

of the survey conducted

to learn more about

the social needs of children and families in Azerbaijan

Baku2008

CONTENTS

PREAMBLE

Goals and objectives of the survey

• Objectives

• Methodology
• Survey with Institution Staff
• Survey with Families

PART 1. RESULTS of the survey done with institution staff

• Major factors for child development
• Awareness level of institution staff and their participation in trainings
• Attitude towards deinstitutionalization and perspectives of participation in its implementation
• Results of cooperation with UAFA

PART 2. results of the surveydone with families

• Tables reflecting families’ social-economic state

• Regions where the survey was held
• Questions regarding family members
• Questions defining family’s financial state and employment
• Families’ attitudes, needs and expectations about the alternative services
• Main spheres of development of the community for families
• Participation in elections

PREAMBLe

goals and objectives of the survey

This survey was conducted to learn more about the social needs of children and families in Azerbaijan. Goal of the survey is to support the implementation of “Deinstitutionalization and Alternative Services State Program”. The overall research consists of 2 surveys and 11 focus group discussions. This report reflects the analysis of 2 surveys done among institution staff and families.

Objectives

1. Main objective of the survey done among the institution staff is to assess current situation in internats, learn more about the knowledge, way of thinking and awareness level of institution staff on issues related to the survey.
2. Main objective of the survey done among families is to learn more about the needs of children and families in social services.

Methodology

Survey was conducted by UAFA staff members from main office and CBR centers. Special survey forms were prepared. 2 selection methods were used. In families’ survey respondents were randomly selected. In internat survey all institution staff was involved into the survey.

Surveydonewithinternatstaff

This survey is done in 2 institutions where UAFA has been working. 93 institution staff members agreed to participate in the survey. Very few of them refused.

Surveyed institutions / # of participants / percentage
Shagan institution # 3 / 42 / 45,2
Saray institution # 7 / 51 / 54,9
Total / 93 / 100,0

Main part of the personnel consists of carers and teachers. Other participants are medical staff, cleaners and technical staff.

Position / Faiz
Medical staff / 16,2
Cleaners / 5,4
Teachers / 30,1
Carers / 47,2
Music teacher / 1,1
Total / 100,0

35,7% oftheparticipantshavecooperatedwith, trained by and took part in the projects of UAFA.

Majority of participants are women. This is because in Azerbaijan institutions’ staff consists mainly of women.

Gender of participants / Percentage
Male / 1,1
Feemale / 98,9
Total / 100,0

Respondentsarebetweentheagesof 25-69. They are mostly of average age. (between the ages of 32 - 50). Young staff members contain 10,9% of all respondents.

Age groups / Percentage
25-30 / 10,9
32-40 / 26,0
41-50 / 38,0
51-69 / 25,1
Total / 100,0

Survey done with families:

Survey done with families covers 3 regions. These are regions in which UAFA’s CBRCs are situated: Baku, Yasamal region, Khachmaz region and Ganja region.

In general 300 families took part in the survey. According to statistics,population of the selected regions is 700000 people, which makes approximately 150-160000 families. 300 families that UAFA has surveyed is 0,2% of the total number of families. This is a representative enough figure for such surveys. Other factor proving the representativeness of the survey is that families were randomly selected.

Surveyed regions / # of respondents / Percentage
Baku (Yasamal region) / 140 / 46,7
Ganja / 100 / 33,3
Khacmaz / 60 / 20,0
Total / 300 / 100,0

Ifweconsiderthaton average one family in Azerbaijan has 4 members, then this survey was done among 1200 people. This fact increases representativeness and value of the survey.

Part 1. Results of the survey done among institution staff

Child development

Institution staff had to answer to questions, identifying the awareness level of staff on factors promoting child development and on effects of institutionalization. Its obvious that, parental care and love, as well as financial status of the family directly impact development of a child and everyone, including parents, social workers and institution staff have to be aware of this.

According to the responses of participants, family (80,6%), love and attention(81,7%) are main factors for child development. 18,2% more respondents have mentioned emotional factors than that of material ones.

Show the most important conditions for the children’s development / Percentage / Average percentage
Love and attention / 81,7 / Emotional factors– 81,1%
Family / 80,6
Adequate clothing / 51,6 / Financial factors– 62,9%
Food and shelter / 74,2
Don’t know / 2,2
Other / 6,5

Negativefactoristhat 2,2% oftheparticipantsdidnotanswertothequestion. This shows low awareness level of staff on the mentioned issue.

No matter how well provided institutions are, yet neither institutions, nor their staff can replace family for the child. Child institutions can never be considered as alternatives to the family. Existence of institutions is just the only solution in the current situation for families. This point of view is confirmed by 76,3% of respondents. Personnel think that institution negatively affects child’s development. But this is not the only point of view in the survey. 22,6% thinks that institutionalization positively affects development of the child. 1,1% have not assessed the impact of institutionalization.

How does living in the institution affect a child’s development? / Percentage
Positive / 22,6
Negative / 76,3
Does not affect / 1,1
Total / 100,0

The other question continues with the analysis of child development under the impact of institutioalization. As mentioned above, majority of staff pointed out that institutionalization negatively affects children. But in the next question personnel have exaggerated the role of institutions for children. According to the view of more than 50% of respondents in some cases (cases are listed in the table)children can be brought up out of parental care. There may be two reasons for this answer: first one the individual interest of institution staff, second one low awareness level of institution staff. Better if these responses are related to the lack of awareness of the staff. Some part of the institution staff think that in the listed cases state child institutions can better care for children. But this position contradicts state’s position. None of the suggestions fit the “DeI and Alternative Services State Program” and such point of views slow down the implementation of the program. Of course, in some cases being brought up away from the biological family is in child’s interest, but this could be replaced by alternative services (adoption, guardianship, foster families) rather than state institutions. As seen from the responses of participants the above mentioned issue is not yet well understood by them. Only 5,4% of respondents understand this and note that children must not be placed in institutions under any circamstances.

In which cases state care is better than family care?

Lack of awareness of the personnel does not end up with this question. Unfortunately 21,5% of the staff members who directly work with children don’t have enough information about children’s rights.

Do you know what the rights of the child are? / Percentage
Yes / 78,5
No / 11,8 / Don’t have information - 21,5
I don’t know / 9,7
Total / 100,0

Awareness level of the child institutions’ staff – participation in trainings

Majority of the personnel have listed rights like “education”(57,0%) and “special care for disabled children”(54,8%). They have also written rights like “protection from abuse and sexual exploitation”, “protection from being sold”, “health” and “express opinion”. These rights were listed by slightly less than 50% of the personnel. No respondent has listed all the rights written in the question.

According to the responses staff members who have participated in UAFA’s projects are more aware of children’s rights than those who have not. As seen in the table below most rights are listed by (18 – 21 rights) 27,4% of the respondents. 14,3 %of them have participated in UAFA’s projects.

Level of awareness / Participated in UAFA’s projects (%) / Other staff members
(%) / Total
(%)
Listed 18 – 21 rights / 14,3 / 13,1 / 27,4
Listed 10 – 17 rights / 6,1 / 3,4 / 9,5
Listed 5 – 10 rights / 11,8 / 6,1 / 17,9
Listed less than 5 rights / 26,2 / 19,0 / 45,2
Total / 58,4 / 41,6 / 100,0

Results of the survey show that personnel has closely participated in several trainings. 75,3% of the respondents have been trained in care for children and in child centered approaches. This is considered as a big and positive indicator.

67,9% of the personnel have participated in trainings held by different organizations in the last 2 years. According to the responses 35,7% of the personnel have been trained by state bodies, 35,7%by NGOs.

15,7% of the personnel have participated in trainings by international NGOs. 12,9% have not given any information about the organization that has held the training for them.

When it comes to the topics,the responses are different. When summarizing the results a few topic groups could be defined. Main part of the respondents has been trained in “Social services, social work and social worker” and “Child Development, development of children with mental and physical disabilities and approach to children with disabilities”. Similar to these topics is another topic “Modern occupational therapy” in which respondents have been trained. Only 9,8% of the respondents have been trained in children’s rights.Maybe the reason of low awareness level of staff in children’s rights in previous questions is because the small number of staff members has been trained in this field.

What was the training? / Faiz
Social services, social work and social worker / 15,4
Child development, development of children with mental and physical disabilities, approach to children with disabilities / 11,6
Children’s rights / 9,8
Modern occupational therapy / 7,6
Care for children / 4,3
Massage / 3,3
Analysis of activity / 1,1
Children’s organizations / 1,1
Special needs education / 1,1
I don’t remember exactly / 2,2

Attitudes toward deinstitutionalization and perspectives of individual participation in the process of DeI

Respondents have listed several answers to the possibility of institutions and institution staff offering several services to help the families keep their children at home. Majority of the personnel (72,0%) have noted Day Care Center service. Other services have been listed by less than half of the staff members.

During the survey some interesting results have been found. As seen from the cross table 70-80% of those who have listed day care center as an alternative to institutions, have noted that institutionalization negatively affects child’s development. So, majority of the personnel who were against institutionalization listed several services to help families keep their children at home..

What services could the institution and its staff provide to help families keep their children at home? / How does living in the institutions affect a child’s development?
Müsbət / Mənfi / Təsir etmir / Cəmi
Advice/pshychological support / 28,6% / 71,4% / 0,0 / 100,0%
Day care / 23,9% / 76,1% / 0,0 / 100,0%
Rehabilitation / 22,2% / 77,8% / 0,0 / 100,0%
Respite care / 23,1% / 75,0% / 1,9% / 100,0%
Home visiting / 15,4% / 82,7% / 1,9% / 100,0%
Vocational skills training / 26,2% / 71,4% / 2,4% / 100,0%
Other / 22,6% / 76,3% / 1,1% / 100,0%

Staff members who have noted that institutions can offer several services to help families and children, don’t see their future career out of the institution.

When institutions change their profile respondents would like to work as social workers and maintain their current jobs in the institutions. Expectations of personnel about the monthly salary are different. Only 1,1% of the respondents want their salary to stay at its current level and 6,5% say they would agree with any amount. Other part of the respondents wants increase in their salary: minimum 150 Azn, maximum 500 Azn.

As seen from the previous question currently the salary of the staff is under their expectations. Majority of the respondents receive about 140 Azn monthly salary. Only 4,3% respondents’ monthly salary is 150 - 172 Azn.

Results of cooperation with UAFA

35,7% of the respondents have participated in UAFA’s projects.

How many years have you partnered with UAFA? / Percentage
1 year / 4,3 / Partnered
35,7
3 years / 4,3
4 years / 10,8
5 years / 3,2
6 years / 2,2
7 years / 6,5
8 years / 2,2
Since UAFAstarted its projects in the institution / 2,2
Do not partner (those who have not answered the question) / 64,3
Total / 100,0

AllthestaffmemberswhohavepartneredwithUAFAhavenotedthebenefitsandpositivechangesasaresultofthispartnership, especiallyinthementalandphysicaldevelopmentandbehaviourofchildren.

What has changed, and how, since you have participated in this project? / Faiz
A lot of changes and innovations / 5,4
Changes in mental and physical development and behaviour of children / 14,2
Improvedourskillsandexperiencethroughinterestingtrainings, andgainednewskills in working with and developing children / 8,7
Myself – esteemhasincreased, Ibegan to easily communicate with children and my attention toward children increased / 7,6
Gained a lot of knowledge in children’s rights / 3,2
Total percentage of responses / 39,1

ApproachofthestafftowardchildrenbeforeUAFA’sprojectscanbedividedinto 2 parts. Morethanhalfofthepersonnel thought children were sick and needed medical treatment. Other part of the personnel, about ¼ of it, thought children would receive better care in institution than at home.

According to the following tables attitudes of the majority of the personnel towards children with disabilities have changed to the better. As a result they don’t treat children with special needs as “sick” children.

As seen from the cross-table,most part of the personnel whose attitude towards children has changed, were those who have previously noted they were thinking these children were sick and needed medical treatment.

Personnel partnering with UAFA have implemented new responsibilities in the institution. These new responsibilities mainly include being child development specialists.

What new responsibilities do you have? / Percentage
Those who have not responded and have no new responsibilities / 23,6
Night carer / 1,1
Worker in the bathroom / 1,1
Rehabilitation woker / 3,3
Social worker / 2,2
Teacher / 1,1
Child development specialist / 3,3
Total / 35,7

Several factors impacted the personnel to take on new responsibilities. Main motivating factors were seeing results of work as child develops, mentoring by child development specialists and work becoming more interesting.Some part of the respondents has mentioned the financial factors motivating them.

The next question continues the topic of motivation factors for the staff and is about what would motivate the staff in their future work. According to the responses newly gained skills, experience, new methods and results of their work would motivate the staff after UAFA leaves.

What will motivate you to continue after UAFA leaves? / Percentage
Care and love for children, results of our work, children’s development / 8,7
Will continue to work as I did before / 5,5
Gained knowledge, conditions and high salary / 4,4
Will plan and expand our work as a result of trainings in which we have participated / 4,4
Highsalaryto continue our successful activity / 3,3
Will continue to implement UAFA’s experience and work as we did with UAFA / 2,2
Time will show / 1,1
Our motivation from our job / 1,1

Part 2. Survey done with families

Tables reflecting social – economic condition of the families

Regions surveyed

Questions about the family members

How large is your household? - # of adults / Percentage
1 / 11,0
2 / 13,1
3 / 2,1
4 / 2,1
Total / 28,3
How large is your household? - # of extended family members / Percentage
1 / 4,8
2 / 2,8
3 / 2,8
4 / 2,1
5 / 0,7
6 / 2,1
Total / 15,2

Questions reflecting financial condition and employment of the family

What type of work are they employed in? / Percentage
Self-employed / 19,3
Skilled labour / 20,0
Unskilled labour / 24,1
State sector / 19,3
Local business / 6,2
NGO / 0,7
Total / 100,0
Do you receive any State benefits? / Faiz
Benefit for the birth of a child / 38,6
Benefit for the age (those ineligible to labour pension) / 8,3
Benefit for disability (those ineligible to labour pension) / 42,1
Child with limited health under the age of 18 / 6,9
Benefit for burial / 10,3
Benefit to persons (including children) harmed by Chernobyl catastrophe for annual treatment / 2,8
Monthly benefit to participants of World War II / 2,1
“Disability as a result of “protecting territorial integrity, independence and constitutional structure of AzerbaijanRepublic” and as a result of “20th January events” / 2,8
Azerbaijan President’s pension to the families of 20th January martyrs / 2,8
For honorary titles (nation) / 6,8
Benefit for care for a child under the age of three / 2,8
Additional monthly benefit for utility expenses to disabled as a result of Chernobyl catastrophe / 2,1
Benefit for pregnancy and birth (average amount of benefit per day) / 2,8
Benefit for loosing head of family (those ineligible to labour pension) / 2,1
For honorary titles (honored) / 2,1
If any adult members of your family are unemployed, why are they unable to find work? / Percentage
Health does not allow / 20,0
No work available / 2,8
The work place is closed down / 1.4
Does not want to work / 2,1
Has no job skills / 11,0
Has temporarily lost job skills / 5,5
Has no education / 6,9
Difficult to find a job / 16,6
Care for a child, a disabled person and/or an elderly member of the family / 54,5
My elder son is in military service / 0,7
Are not adults / 2,8
How does your children receive education? / At school / With home school teacher’s assitstance / Does not receive / At internat (residential)
1 child / 15,9 / 19,3 / 5,5 / 0
2 children / 33,8 / 6,2 / 0 / 9,0
3 children / 0,7 / 3,4 / 0 / 0
4 children / 2,1 / 0 / 3,4 / 0
Total # using this type of education / 52,4 / 29,0 / 9,0 / 9,0

Attitude of families to alternative services, their needs and expectations

There is a huge need in alternative services in order to prevent children from being institutionalized. Respondents have listed several factors to help children stay in their biological families. According to families major problem they have in caring for their children is lack of day care services, low level of state’s financial support and that medical and rehabilitation services are veryexpensive. Only 17,9% of respondents noted they would put their children to institutions under certain circumstances. Majority of respondents noted they would never put their children to institution, but would use day care center if that exists.

What would make you consider sending your disabled child to an institution? / Percentage
No day-care facilities / 6,9
Low financial support from government / 5,5 / 17,9
Difficulty in coping with growing child / 11,0
High medical/rehabilitation costs / 1,4
Iwouldneverconsiderthat. I would only take my child to the day care center if that exitst. / 27,5
Never / 25,5
Total / 24,8

As a result of the survey, it became obvious that awareness raising campaings in this field should be conducted, since 56,6% of respondentsthink disabled children are “sick”, 36,5% of respondents have not answered to that question.