Social Work

The second module of “Methods and Techniques of Social Services” for this year is placed in the first se-mester of the third year on completion of the knowledge about a social worker. In general terms, it has the purpose of translating into practical skills the theoretical proficiency acquired in the first two years of study and of providing a theoretical framework of coherent reading of students' experiences during their intern-ships. At this aim, a part of the course is dedicated to the analysis of what students has produced during their professional internships and to the presentation of specific cases chosen by the teacher, used also to examine more in detail some of the most common issues in the work of a social worker. Moreover, stu-dents are provided with specific theoretical in-depth information related to some work "tools" typical of a social worker such as preliminary interviews and home visits, reports of social services addressed to other services or institutions and to the other judicial authorities with whom the social worker operates, the execu-tion of social evaluations and in-depth analysis with an evaluative purpose, the psycho-social support to persons who live difficult situations of social weakness. 2.2 Specific goals At the end of the course, students will have acquired the skills to recognize the theories applied in the work of social workers and the pertaining methods, and be able to prepare a social services report, where they present a critical issue, analyse it, and propose an intervention project suitable to face it. 2.2.1 Knowledge and understanding Knowledge of the human behaviour and the social context, included the interaction among biological, psy-chological, social, and cultural factors. Understanding of the life cycle's development, of responsibilities, and of crisis corresponding to the ages of life, with a special attention to expectations both in a family con-text and in the reference socio-cultural context. Knowledge of activities and professions connected to so-cial services, with the purpose of facilitating an inter-professional collaboration and group work. 2.2.2 Applying knowledge and understanding Skills of applying the main theoretical knowledge (especially the relational-systemic approach and the net-work one will be examined in detail) and the intervention methods to specific critical issues and/or of social unease (minors, disabled, old persons, families, immigrants, etc.). Skills of managing complex organisatio-nal processes and skills of applying a professional code of conduct. 2.2.3 Making judgements To be aware of the relationship between personal experiences and systems of values from one part, and the work of social services from the other. More in detail, in this area a specific analysis will be dedicated to the posttraumatic stress disorder. Critical understanding about the impact of inequalities and socio-cultural, political, and economic injustices on the human functioning, skills of making judgements in the reading of scientific texts and sources connected to the social analysis processes, skills of dealing with conceptual frameworks integrated with intervention methods, critical evaluation about the use of research in social services, suspension of judgement when facing complex situations. Students will be especially motivated to reason on issues when suspending judgement is particularly important, such as minors' protections and the functioning of violent and mistreating families, and on a special bracket of population: the multi-problematic families. 2.2.4 Communication skills Communication suitable for interacting with various professionals in the social services' area and/or with other professional workers, skills in conducting and/or managing group discussions, skills at interacting with persons in difficult situations, conversation skills aimed at developing confidence relationships, skills in wri-ting reports. 2.2.5 Learning skills Skills in using specialised texts and their bibliographies, also through the development of research skills in digital databases, even in the English language.