SOCIAL WORK PRACTICE

The course aims to:
• provide a theoretical and practice-oriented framework for social work practice, exploring its main characteristics, dimensions and professional functions;
• examine the social work methodological process and its professional tools, with particular attention to assessment as a multidimensional process for identifying needs, resources, risk and protective factors;
• analyse the theoretical, methodological, relational and ethical dimensions of professional practice, including practice-related risks and strategies for prevention and management;
• develop competences in working with different system stakeholders, networking, interprofessional collaboration and teamwork;
• critically analyse social work practices across different fields, developing the ability to adapt and contextualise methods and interventions to specific situations;
• develop the ability to apply acquired knowledge to professional practice, identifying the appropriate legal framework, methodology and professional tools for different fields and situations involving individuals, groups and communities.

By the end of the course, students will be able to:

define and critically discuss the key concepts of social work practice, recognising its main characteristics and professional specificities;
apply social work methods, techniques and tools throughout the different stages of the methodological process, with particular attention to assessment and to adapting interventions to needs, resources and contexts;
analyse and interpret complex practice situations, identifying needs, resources, risk and protective factors, critical issues and appropriate intervention strategies;
design integrated and participatory interventions, identifying the appropriate legal framework and professional tools and collaborating with professionals, services and community networks;
analyse and discuss ethical dilemmas and professional issues with analytical rigour, critical awareness and professional responsibility;
use social work professional and technical terminology appropriately and effectively.

A thorough knowledge of the contents of the courses Methodologies of Social Work, Theories of Social Work, and Organization of Social Work is required.

Part I – Foundations and Theoretical Framework
Defining Social Work Practice
Critical analysis of social work practice as the integration of theory, methods and professional action, with particular attention to reflective practice.
The Methodological Process: Stages and Tools
Examination of the main stages of the social work process: engagement and analysis of the request, assessment, planning, implementation, monitoring, evaluation and closure. Particular attention will be devoted to assessment as a dynamic and multidimensional process aimed at identifying needs, resources, risk and protective factors within the person’s life context.
Characteristics and Components of Professional Practice
Analysis of the theoretical, methodological, relational and ethical dimensions of professional practice.
Risks and Challenges in Professional Practice
Analysis of the main challenges of professional practice and related management strategies, with particular attention to reflective practice and professional supervision.
Part II – Professional Dynamics
Working with System Stakeholders
Analysis of the social worker’s interaction with institutional, professional, community and family stakeholders, focusing on negotiation, mediation and advocacy.
Networking and Interprofessional Integration
Examination of networking and interprofessional collaboration, with attention to service integration and the mobilisation of formal and informal community resources.
Teamwork
Analysis of teamwork dynamics, including communication, organisation, decision-making and multidisciplinary collaboration.
Part III – Social Work Practice across Different Fields of Intervention
Analysis of social work practices and intervention approaches in different professional settings, also through case studies, with particular reference to:

* disability, reduced autonomy and long-term care needs;
* migration and intercultural contexts;
* criminal justice and judicial measures;
* families, children and young people;
* child safeguarding and protection;
* gender-based violence and children’s exposure to domestic violence;
* emergency and urgent situations;
* international cooperation and humanitarian settings.
Particular attention will be devoted to the integration of theory, methodology and professional practice, person-centred and multidimensional approaches, interprofessional collaboration and ethically grounded decision-making.

M.L. Raineri, Guidelines and Procedures of Social Work, Erickson, 4th edition, 2022
Annamaria Campanini (Editor), The Fields of Social Work Intervention, New edition, Carocci, 2020
The relevant chapters of these texts will be indicated during the lectures.
Additional bibliographic references will be provided throughout the course.

Assessment is designed to verify the acquisition of theoretical knowledge, the ability to apply social work practices, and the argumentative and critical skills developed throughout the course.

Combined Examination (Written + Oral):

A two-step assessment composed of a written test (open questions) followed by an oral discussion. It verifies theoretical-methodological mastery, critical reflection, and communicative and dialogical competences, offering a comprehensive evaluation aligned with the educational profile of the Social Work degree program.

Regarding the Grading Scale (criteria for grade allocation):
Scores in the 18–22 range will be awarded in the presence of:
• a sufficient knowledge of the theoretical contents in relation to the examination materials;
• a limited ability to apply knowledge to concrete cases;
• sufficient communication skills, particularly with regard to the use of the specific professional language of Social Work.
Scores in the 23–26 range will be awarded in the presence of:
• a fair knowledge of the theoretical contents in relation to the examination materials;
• a fair ability to apply knowledge to concrete cases;
• fair communication skills, particularly with regard to the use of the specific professional language of Social Work.
Scores in the 27–30 range will be awarded in the presence of:
• good to excellent knowledge of the theoretical contents in relation to the examination materials;
• good to excellent ability to apply knowledge to concrete cases;
• fully appropriate communication skills, particularly with regard to the use of the specific professional language of Social Work.
Honors (cum laude) will be awarded in the presence of excellent knowledge of the theoretical contents of the syllabus, sound judgment and communication skills, as well as the ability to establish connections and apply theoretical knowledge to concrete cases at an outstanding level.

written and oral

The instructor is responsible for ensuring the authenticity and originality of all examinations and coursework. In cases of suspected academic misconduct, an additional on-site assessment may be required during the exams, which may differ from the standard format.

Grading criteria:
Scores in the 18–22 range will be awarded in the presence of:
sufficient knowledge of the theoretical content based on the exam materials;
limited ability to apply knowledge to practical cases;
sufficient communication skills, especially in the use of the specific language of the Social Work profession.
Scores in the 23–26 range will be awarded in the presence of:
fair knowledge of the theoretical content based on the exam materials;
fair ability to apply knowledge to practical cases;
fair communication skills, especially in the use of the specific language of the Social Work profession.
Scores in the 27–30 range will be awarded in the presence of:
good or excellent knowledge of the theoretical content based on the exam materials;
good or excellent ability to apply knowledge to practical cases;
fully appropriate communication skills, especially in the use of the specific language of the Social Work profession.
Honors ("cum laude") will be awarded in the presence of:
excellent knowledge of the theoretical content covered in the course;
excellent judgment skills and communication abilities;
excellent ability to make connections and apply theoretical knowledge to practical cases.

The course adopts an integrated teaching approach aimed at combining the theoretical and practical dimensions of social work practice. Specifically, it includes:
• Lectures with multimedia support, presenting theoretical content, legal frameworks, and main methodological models.
• Analysis of real and simulated case studies, as a means of developing observation, social diagnosis, and intervention design skills.
• Role playing and simulated professional interviews, aimed at enhancing relational and communication competences required in professional practice.
• Group workshops dedicated to the construction and use of operational tools (resource maps, sociograms, genograms, ecomaps), with the goal of fostering practical skills and collaborative work capacities.
• Seminars and contributions from external professionals, enriching academic perspectives with practical experiences from operational contexts and stimulating critical reflection and professional dialogue.


The professor will be available to answer students' questions, including through scheduled meetings either in person or remotely.

The syllabus is subject to partial modifications during the lessons.

This subject deals with topics related to the macro-area "International cooperation" and contributes to the achievement of one or more goals of U. N. Agenda for Sustainable Development