Exploring the functionality of child interview centers used in the process of child surrender and establishing relationships with the child

AbstractThis study aims to explore the practical implications of the child visitation centers in Turkey in 2022. Therefore, in-depth interviews were conducted using a semi-structured interview questionnaire with ten social workers, seven psychologists, and three pedagogues working in the pilot provinces where the new procedure was introduced. The study participants were defined through purposeful sampling and snowball sampling. The data were analyzed with the MAXQDA program, and based on the analysis, two themes complying with the aim and sub-goals of the study were acquired: Evaluations of the child visitation centers and evaluations of parents and children in practice. The participants stated that child visitation centers are child-friendly environments and aim to protect the best interests of children.