The study regulations and social work curriculum

University of Latvia

Social work specialists

Social worker

Social rehabilitator

Social care workerSocial 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 StudiesHigher education

study programThe length

of studies (years)

Professional qualification

Scientific Degree

Level 1 Professional (college education)

2 – 3 Level 4a) Social Care Worker,b) Social Assistance

Organizer,c) Social Rehabilitator

No degree

Level 2 a) Professional b) Professional

Bachelor

a) 2 or 4 b) 4

Level 5 Social Worker

a) No degree b) Bachelor

Professional Master 1 - 2 Level 5Social 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

Professional Academic

Credit points 80 CP = 120 ECTS (2 years) or

40 CP = 60 ECTS (1 year)

80 CP = 120 ECTS (2 years)

Practice 6 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 ProgramLatvian University

The tasks of the program 1

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 program 2

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 programSocial 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 Cfree elective part16 credit points

A57%

B33%

C10%

Field practice2. 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 task Semester Kredit points

Term Paper I theoretical research 3rd 2

Term Paper II theoretical and empirical research

6th 2

Diploma Work I

theoretical research 7th 4

Diploma Work II

empirical research 8th 6

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

Title Hours CP ECTS

1. Proffessional development and supervision in social work

48 3 4,5

2. Counselling skills 32 2 3

3. Individual supervision 32 2 3

4. Group supervision 48 3 4,5

5. Team supervision 32 2 3

Sum 192 12 18

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 – 16.40

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)