Reinterpreting the street as a field of work from the perspective of social work in türki̇ye: A field study in the case of istanbul

This thesis aims to approach the street as a field within the profession of social work in Türkiye and to develop a comprehensive understanding of the street. The institution-based structure of the social work system in Türkiye marginalizes the street within this extensive network. By thoroughly examining the dynamics related to the street through the theoretical framework offered by social work, this study evaluates the street as a field of work. The research, conducted with a qualitative research design, involved semi-structured interviews with thirty (30) participants, including twenty-one (21) individuals experiencing street life and nine (9) individuals conducting volunteer street work. The field research was carried out in the districts of Fatih, Beyoğlu, Eyüp, Beşiktaş, and Kadıköy in Istanbul. The data collected were analyzed using the MAXQDA 2022 qualitative data analysis program and presented under four (4) main themes and twenty-two (22) sub-themes. The findings depict experiences influencing the transition to street life, the daily practices of living on the street, the challenging and developmental aspects of street life, the psychology of living on the street, and relationships within the street environment. The analysis highlights that psychosocial support is a significant need for individuals on the street, they face difficulties accessing institutional service, and they are not adequately protected by existing legal regulations. For those conducting street work, the study identifies motivations and principles for working on the street and emphasizes the need to develop street-specific communication and approach strategies. It was found that the personal characteristics of street workers are crucial determinants of their work, and professional preparation is required for street work. Consequently, from the perspective of social work, the street encompasses unique dynamics and requires a detailed understanding as a field of work. In this context, it is recommended that street work be integrated with the social work system in Türkiye. It is also suggested that a street work model led by social workers should be promoted to enhance access to at-risk groups on the street.