A atuação de assistentes sociais e psicólogos nos serviços de atendimento à população em situação de rua em Juiz de Fora (MG)

Abstract

The present study aimed to understand and identify the specific and interdisciplinary dynamics of the professional practices of social workers and psychologists working in services that assist the homeless population in Juiz de Fora (MG). This was an exploratory, qualitative study. Semi-structured questionnaires were administered through online interviews with 23 professionals (15 social workers and 8 psychologists) involved in services for the homeless population in the city. The interviews were recorded and fully transcribed; the data were tabulated and subjected to content analysis. The results indicate a predominance of female professionals in both categories, most with at least a specialization and primarily working in social assistance services. Various challenges were identified for both professions within the context of social policies, related to both specific and broader aspects of policy organization. Among the specific challenges, the difficulties in defining the roles of social workers, the use of inadequate theoretical-methodological frameworks combined with the limitation of the psychologists' role to mere "listening" and the overall understanding of interdisciplinarity stood out. However, the main challenges identified were related to structural determinations affecting work processes in these services, marked by the privatization and precariousness of social policies, which impose limits on effective interdisciplinary practice.