Sistema Único de Assistência Social (Brazilian Social Service System) and Justice: explaining problems and guidance to psychologists

Abstract

OBJECTIVE: This study is a documentary research that aimed to present a critical analysis of the relation between the Sistema Único de Assistência Social (SUAS) (Brazilian Social Service System) and the Brazilian Justice System (SJ), with a focus on psychology. METHOD: Eight official documents adopted by the Brazilian Psychology Councils System as a reference for guidance were analyzed. MAXQDA software support was used for analysis. We tried to answer three questions: (a) How does the relation between SUAS and SJ occur? (b) What are the impacts of the SJ's demands on the organization of the psychologist's work at SUAS? (c) What positions and orientations does the Brazilian Psychology Councils System take on this issue? RESULTS: It was found that the performance of psychology at SUAS in interface with the SJ involves planned activities, such as the execution of socio-educational measures and participation in hearings, but it is often affected by demands that go beyond planning, including carrying out a forensic evaluation, assessment, and psychological care. The demands that go beyond the objectives of SUAS were attributed to the precariousness of public policy, work overload for teams, and ethical conflicts for psychologists. As positions, it is pointed out that the psychologist may refuse requests, f to the justification of ethical and technical impediment, but it must be prioritized to comply with them, executing them according to the specifics of SUAS, not exceeding its competence. CONCLUSION: It was concluded that psychology at SUAS could contribute to the SJ through intersectoral work that respects the objectives of Social Service. The mediating role of managers is fundamental to elucidate attributions and establish fruitful workflows.