General standards and competencies for the education of the social work professionals Nevenka Zegarac, Full professor, FPN, BU

Contents The importance of standards and competencies Global Standards For The Education And Training Of The Social Work Profession General Standards and Competencies For The Education Of The Social Work Professionals  Standards for the higher education institutions for the education of social work professionals  Standards and competencies for education of social work professionals Other Standards within the TEMPUS project framework

Importance of standards and competencies 1/2 The complexity of SW profession requires permanent improvement of theoretical basis and direct practice The introduction of standards and competencies for SWk professionals The main reasons for the development of global standards were to (IASSW, IFSW, 2004):  Protect the “consumers”, “clients” or “service users’  Draw a distinction between social workers and non-social workers;

Importance of standards and competencies 2/2 Facilitate articulation across universities on a global level; Facilitate the movement of social workers from one country to another; Benchmark national standards against international standards; Facilitate partnerships and international student and staff exchange programmes; Take account of the impact of globalisation on social work curricula and social work practice.

Global Standards for the Education And Training of the Social Work Profession The final version of the Global Standards for Social Work Education and Training was adopted by IASSW and IFSW in October 2004, and this document details nine sets of standards.

General standards and competencies for the education of the social work professionals 1/2  Result of the TEMPUS project “Strengthening Higher Education for Social Policy making and Social Services delivery” (SHESPSS)  Partners:  University of Nis  University of Belgrade  University of Novi Sad  Republic Institute for Social Protection  Center for Independent Living of PWDs Serbia  Social Protection Professionals Association of Serbia  Association of Centers for Social Work of Serbia  University College Zealand  University Of Catania  Institute Of Education, University Of London

General standards and competencies for the education of the social work professionals 2/2 Necessity of having a frame in the field of acquiring social work knowledge and skills, both in the formal education of social work professionals, as well as in the field of lifelong learning. I part: Standards for the higher education institutions for the education of social work professionals II part: Standards and competencies for education of social work professionals

Standards for the higher education institutions for the education of social work professionals  Six standards are identified, refer to: 1)The school’s core purpose or mission statement; 2)Structure, administration, governance and resources; 3)Professional staff; 4)Programme curricula; 5)Core curricula; 6)Cultural diversity and social work values and ethics.

Standards and competencies for education of social work professionals 1/5 StandardInterpretation Source of knowledge Knowledge purpose Competencies level DescriptionSkillsIndicators 1. Basic 2. Advanced 3. Specialist

Standards and competencies for education of social work professionals 2/5  Seven standards are identified  Standard 1 - Graduate social worker during studies gains a detailed understanding of and commitment to social work values and ethics that guide professional practice.  Standard 2 – Graduate social worker should be prepared for professional practice with individuals, families, different groups of clients and communities in diverse geographic locations and contexts.

Standards and competencies for education of social work professionals 3/5 Standard 3 – Graduate social worker during studies qualifies to apply knowledge from different disciplines and select effective responses and interventions within human rights and social justice framework. Standard 4 – Graduate social worker qualifies for policy analysis practice which is affecting lives of people and social groups (on micro, meso and macro level), for a systems approach to detecting and solving problems, and for participation in planning and evaluating programs and social policy measures in diverse geographical locations and contexts.

Standards and competencies for education of social work professionals 4/5  Standard 5 – Graduate social worker during studies qualifies to apply research knowledge to inform and improve practice, as well as independently or as team member, implement, publish or in other convenient manner present research knowledge that details basic problems and practice needs.

Standards and competencies for education of social work professionals 5/5 Standard 6 – Graduate social worker during studies qualifies to work with diversity and demonstrate respect for cultural differences. Standard 7 – Graduate social worker during studies trains to demonstrate committed to lifelong learning and training.

Other Standards specific for field of SW practice Standards for education of social work professionals to work with children and young people Standards for education of social work professionals to work with elderly Standards for education of social work professionals to work with poor peopleStandards for education of social work professionals to work in mental health Standards for field practice learning and training of future social work professionals