Evaluation of the child protection system in Turkey from the perspective of professionals working in non-governmental organizations

Children's protection is a responsibility of every individual and institution in society, and a significant part of this responsibility is undertaken by non-governmental organizations (NGOs). NGOs serve as both a shield and a beacon of hope, improving and enhancing the lives and developmental opportunities of children through their efforts. The purpose of this research is to uncover the roles of professionals working in child protection NGOs, the adequacy of the services provided, and their needs. In this study, in-depth interviews were conducted using a semi-structured interview technique with twenty professionals who have been working for at least one year in ten NGOs operating in the field of child protection in Turkey; including five social workers, five psychologists, six lawyers, and four counseling psychologists. Five main themes were identified through the analysis. Professionals emphasized that the role of NGOs in child protection should be presented in collaboration with public services, highlighting the NGOs' role as connectors. They stated that if NGOs coordinate with public institutions, their initiatives would develop and access to diverse resources would be enhanced, making their work more effective. Professionals also pointed out that the most common issues children face in Turkey are poverty, lack of access to education, societal and traditional gender inequalities, domestic violence, early marriage, and child labor. They noted that laws and regulations are sufficient but there are deficiencies in their implementation and that oversight is necessary. Furthermore, it was highlighted that there is a shortage of professionals in this field and the importance of training specialized staff. In order to solve the problems in child protection, it is necessary to build a public-private partnership, ensure the complete implementation of legal regulations, employ a sufficient number of professional staffs, and ensure the employment of competent individuals.