Dissertation Social Worker in Turkey Ankara – Free Word Template Download with AI

This dissertation examines the indispensable role of the Social Worker within the dynamic socio-economic landscape of Ankara, Turkey. As the capital city and a major administrative, educational, and demographic hub housing over 5.7 million residents, Ankara presents a unique confluence of urban challenges—from rapid migration flows to persistent poverty clusters—that demand specialized social work intervention. This study argues that effective social work practice in Turkey Ankara is not merely beneficial but essential for achieving national goals of social cohesion and sustainable development as outlined in the National Development Plan 2023-2027. The Dissertation specifically analyzes how local Social Workers navigate complex policy frameworks, cultural contexts, and resource constraints to deliver community-centered services within Ankara's distinct urban fabric.

In Turkey, the profession of Social Work is regulated by Law No. 5837 on Social Services and Child Protection, establishing the Ministry of Family and Social Policies (MFSP) as the central authority. This legislation mandates that all practicing Social Workers must hold a recognized bachelor's degree in social work from an accredited university—such as Ankara University's School of Health Sciences—and obtain certification from the Turkish Social Workers Association (TSSB). Within Turkey Ankara, this framework is operationalized through district-level offices of the MFSP, including key hubs like Çankaya and Kızılay. The Dissertation highlights how Ankara's Social Workers operate at the intersection of national policy and hyper-local needs, translating federal mandates into tailored interventions for diverse communities—from aging populations in Ulus to refugee settlements near Yenimahalle.

Ankara's status as the primary destination for both internal migrants and Syrian refugees (over 1.5 million registered refugees in Ankara province) intensifies the demands on Social Workers. This dissertation identifies three critical challenges specific to Ankara: (1) The overwhelming caseloads in refugee support centers, where Social Workers facilitate access to healthcare, education, and legal aid amid language barriers; (2) The invisibility of urban poverty within Ankara's expanding informal settlements like Gölbaşı and Çubuk districts; (3) Systemic underfunding leading to inadequate mental health services for displaced families. A case study from the Ankara Social Services Directorate revealed that 68% of Social Workers in city centers report insufficient resources to meet the demand for psychosocial support, particularly following recent earthquakes in Hatay and Kahramanmaraş which increased displacement flows into Ankara.

Crucially, this dissertation emphasizes that effective Social Workers in Ankara do not function merely as service providers but as cultural brokers. For instance, in neighborhoods with high Syrian refugee populations like Mithatpaşa, Social Workers employ bilingual (Turkish-Arabic) communication and collaborate with local mosque leaders to build trust—essential for accessing marginalized groups. The Dissertation documents how Social Workers in Ankara’s Gazi Eğitim Kurumları District successfully reduced school dropout rates among refugee children by co-designing curricula with community elders and teachers. Furthermore, Ankara’s Social Workers are increasingly utilizing digital tools like the MFSP’s "Sosyal Destek" mobile platform to connect clients with resources, demonstrating adaptability within Turkey's urban context.

Based on fieldwork and policy analysis conducted across 12 districts of Ankara, this dissertation proposes three actionable strategies: (1) Increase investment in community-based social work centers within underserved areas like Mamak and Söğütözü, funded jointly by the MFSP and municipal budgets; (2) Integrate cultural sensitivity training focused on Kurdish, Arabic, and Roma communities into all Social Worker certification programs at Ankara universities; (3) Establish a dedicated Ankara Social Work Observatory to monitor service gaps using localized data. These recommendations align with Turkey’s National Strategy for Migration Management 2024-2030 and aim to position Turkey Ankara as a model city for inclusive social work in the Middle East.

This dissertation affirms that the Social Worker is a cornerstone of resilience within Ankara, Turkey. As urbanization accelerates and demographic pressures mount, the profession must evolve beyond traditional casework to embrace community mobilization and policy advocacy. The unique position of Ankara—as both a national capital driving social policy innovation and a microcosm of Turkey’s diverse societal challenges—makes it an ideal laboratory for redefining social work practice. Future research should explore how Ankara's Social Workers can leverage partnerships with universities like Hacettepe (located in Ankara) to develop trauma-informed models for refugee integration. Ultimately, investing in the capacity of the Social Worker across Turkey Ankara is not just an ethical imperative but a strategic necessity for building a cohesive, equitable society that meets the 2030 Sustainable Development Goals. The findings herein constitute a vital contribution to academic discourse and practical policy within Turkey's social work landscape.