Estonian child protection workers’ assessment perspectives: The need for competence and confidence

Abstract

After years of Soviet occupation, the country of Estonia is in transition, as are their newly developed child protection services. This quantitative study examines Estonian child protection workers’ perspectives about child welfare work and assessment in the context of children in need. These findings indicate that workers seem to overly rely on a deficit-based, as opposed to a strengths-based approach and lack skills for understanding their role, conducting assessments and engaging in trusting relationships with children and families. These findings suggest a possible holdover from Soviet philosophies, but definitely indicate the need for further training.