The study regulations and social work curriculum University of Latvia

Social work specialists Social worker Social rehabilitator Social care worker Social assistance organizer 2nd Level Professional higher education 1st Level Professional higher education Qualification requirements entered into force on the 1st of January 2008

Social Work Studies Higher education study program The length of studies (years) Professional qualification Scientific Degree Level 1Professional (college education) 2 – 32 – 3Level 4 a) Social Care Worker, b) Social Assistance Organizer, c) Social Rehabilitator No degree Level 2a)Professional b)Professional Bachelor a) 2 or 4 b) 4 Level 5 Social Worker a) No degree b) Bachelor Professional Master Level 5 Social worker Master

4 Legal provisions for Supervision  Local governments (LG) are responsible to provide supervision to social work specialists Social services & social assistance law  LG social assistance office (SAO) has to provide supervision: □For SAO social work specialists (SWS) □For SWS in social service institutions established by LG individual supervision at least 9 hours/year or group supervision at least 18 hours/year Regulations of KM “Requirements for social service providers”

Study plan  compulsory part A: □Master modules in the field of study (at least 16 KP = 24 ECTS) □Master research work (at least 20 KP = 30 ECTS) □Professional MA includes Practice (at least 6 KP = 9 ECTS)  compulsory elective part B □The courses of professional specialization in the field of study or modules (at least 15 KP = 22,5 ECTS)

Module  Consists of separate study courses  Volume of a module at least 6 KP = 9 ECTS  Each course at least 2 KP = 3 ECTS

Master SP ProfessionalAcademic Credit points80 CP = 120 ECTS (2 years) or 40 CP = 60 ECTS (1 year) 80 CP = 120 ECTS (2 years) Practice6 KP = 9 ECTS- Staff requirements at least 5 Prof./Assoc. Prof. employed at basic (primary) work

Procedure of study program’s approval 1.Council of SW study programs 2.Faculty’s Council 3.UL Commission of Study Programs’ Quality Evaluation 4.UL Senate 5.Licencing 6.Accreditation

Documentation  Application  Statement of Higher Education Council on necessity of the SP  Agreement on continuation of studies for students in the case of liquidation of the SP  Description of the SP  calculation of costs  Study plan  Course descriptions, study practice regulations etc.

Social Work Professional Study Program Latvian University

The tasks of the program1  To allow students to acquire a profession in accordance with the classification of professions in the Republic of Latvia and with officially approved standards for the profession of social workers  To train highly qualified and competitive social workers for the needs of the social sphere in the Republic of Latvia  To develop the theoretical knowledge, skills and values that are needed for social work with individuals, families, groups, communities and society at large

The tasks of the program2  To foster an understanding of the close links between theory and practice in social work, ensuring that the knowledge that is gained can also be used in practical activities;  To help students in developing skills related to the professional code of ethics of social workers  To encourage students to pursue further education and professional training.

Blocks of the study program Social work and professional development Psychology Politics, public administration and legislation Research and planning Interdisciplinary study courses

The structure of the study programme  Part A compulsory part 92 credit points  Part B compulsory elective part 52 credit points  Part C free elective part 16 credit points

Field practice 2. semester Study excursions to different social service institutions, social action 5. semester Assistant's work in an institution, participant observation, report: analysis of institution’s functioning 7. semester Casework; written and oral practice presentation (linking theory and practice)

Students research Research taskSemesterKredit points Term Paper I theoretical research3rd2 Term Paper II theoretical and empirical research 6th2 Diploma Work I theoretical research7th4 Diploma Work II empirical research8th6

Requirements for obtaining professional qualification  Student has to: □Obtain 160 credit points □To work out and defend qualification work □To pass qualification examination

Methods of instruction  Lectures  Discussions  Seminars  Group works  Project works  Individual assignments – essays, papers, abstracts etc.  Presentations  Working with problem situations  Role plays

Evaluation  Study courses  Study program  Study process  Students  Graduates  Field practice supervisors  Employers

Proffessional development further education study program “Supervision in Social Work”

Theoretical study courses TitleHoursCPECTS 1. Proffessional development and supervision in social work 4834,5 2. Counselling skills Individual supervision Group supervision4834,5 5. Team supervision3223 Sum

Practice  192 hours = 12 CP = 18 ECTS  Roles of supervisee and supervisor  Practice defense = final examination

Practice tasks  Supervisee’s role: □Participate in individual supervision □Participate in group supervision □Participate in peer group supervision  Supervisor’s role: □To lead individual supervision □To lead group supervision □To keep a diary □To write analysis of practice

Study process  Theoretical studies □Thursday, Friday, Saturday once per month □Time 9.00 –  Practice in accordance with mutual agreements

What I would not like to change in the study process:  Practical activities and training, various methods used in the study process  Lecturers – different approaches, stiles of work  Size of the group (12 students)

What I would not like to change in the study process:  Practice and practice requirements  Possibility to receive supervision  The schedule: 3 full following days once a month  To leave the same number of hours for theoretical studies, to leave all themes

Students’ suggestions for project organisers  More time for the study program  Allow to lead group supervisions in pairs  to lead group and team supervisions (practice)  At the begining of study process more theory on different supervision types

Students’ suggestions for project organisers  Even more practical training, role plays: supervisor - supervisee  To organise international exchange of experience  To prepare courses or program for practicing supervisors (new approaches and methods)

Study plan – undergarduate studies  compulsory part A: □General comprehensive courses (at least 10 KP=15 ECTS) □Theoretical basic courses in the field of study □The courses of professional specialization in the field of study  compulsory elective part B □The courses of professional specialization in the field of study  free elective part C (only bachelor level SP)