Akutsozialarbeit: Wenn sonst niemand erreichbar ist

Abstract

The needs of social work clients do not follow times of day or days of the week. However, if there is a need for support outside the working hours of “traditional” social work, acute social work often is the only option left. The following paper presents the results of four qualitative studies that explore the concept of acute social work. In the studies, primary and secondary data were analyzed using qualitative content analysis and grounded theory. In particular, referral and placement problems, as well as methodological challenges for professionals, are discussed, along with the expectations of clients of acute social work. Acute Social Work will be described on the basis of the example of the AKUTteam (acute team) of Lower Austria. The article thus contributes to the discussion, reflection, and further development of a concept of acute social work in order to establish a low-threshold, mobile social work throughout Austria that is accessible around the clock.

Keywords: emergency social work, methodology, crisis intervention, AKUTteam, ambulance