. – Methods of Social Services I (with module on Principles and Foundations
of Social Work and module on Procedures and Techniques of Social Service I)
PROFF. FRANCESCA MACI, BRUNO BORTOLI, FRANCESCA MEGNI
Module on Methods and Techniques of Social Services I: Prof.ssa Francesca
Maci
Text under revision. Not yet approved by academic staff.
COURSE AIMS
This course will provide the fundamental concepts relating to the nature and
purpose of social work in general, and more specifically to the functions of the
social worker, with reference to the ethical and methodological principles which
guide the profession. These basic concepts will be tackled by providing an initial
practical overview of them, examining the main phases in the helping processes,
along with various working techniques and procedures used in social service.
COURSE CONTENT
1. Specific features of the functions of social service:
1.1 The purpose of social work as a profession and a discipline: coping with
life tasks.
1.2 Social work and professional social service.
1.3 Distinctions and connections between the profession of social worker and
other similar professions.
2. The helping process: the phases of problem solving as applied to social work.
3. Analysis of the phases of the helping process: assessment.
3.1 Needs assessment: sources and tools.
3.3 The time aspect in the assessment process.
3.4 The concept of resource.
4. Analysis of the phases of the helping process: planning an intervention and
criteria for choosing objectives and assessing strategies.
5. Analysis of the phases of the helping process: implementing the intervention.
Main types of direct and indirect interventions enacted by the social worker.
6. Analysis of the phases of the helping process: checking and concluding the
intervention.
READING LIST
The reading list will be announced in class.
TEACHING METHOD
Lectures.
NOTES
Further information can be found on the lecturer’s webpage at
http://docenti.unicatt.it/web/searchByName.do?language=ENG or on the Faculty notice
board.
Module on Principles and Foundations of Social Work: Prof. Bruno Bortoli
COURSE AIMS
The course will focus on the conceptual framework of the profession of Social
Work, and on the context- and time-related features of its development. In
particular it will examine: the socio-cultural aspects – exemplified through several
keywords – which inform its professional methods and techniques, its set of values,
as well as the functions performed in the various areas of intervention.
COURSE CONTENT
The keywords of the profession
– Need, suffering.
– Help, care.
– Helping relationship.
– Knowledge, ability and values.
The values of Social Service
– The values and principles of the profession.
– The ethical code.
– Moral dilemmas.
Understanding the profession.
– Assistance and Social State.
– Social services in Italy.
READING LIST
S. BANKS, Etica e valori nel servizio sociale, Erickson, Trento, 1999 (excerpts).
B. BORTOLI, I giganti del lavoro sociale, Erickson, Trento, 2006 (excerpts).
F. FOLGHERAITER, The Mystery of Social Work, Erickson, Trento, 2012.
M.L. RAINERI (ed.), Assistente sociale domani, Erickson, Trento, 2011, 2nd edition, vol. I (excerpts).
Codice Deontologico dell’Assistente Sociale, 2009.
Further reading material will be indicated during lectures.
TEACHING METHOD
Lectures, group work, individual contributions.
ASSESSMENT METHOD
There will be a single exam covering all three modules, which will take written and oral
form.
NOTES
Further information can be found on the lecturer’s webpage at
http://docenti.unicatt.it/web/searchByName.do?language=ENG or on the Faculty notice
board.
Module on Procedures and Techniques of Social Service I: Prof.ssa Francesca
Megni
COURSE AIMS
This course is intended to equip students with a basic knowledge of the most
common working practices in use within organisations which manage personal
social services, in relation to fulfilling the institutional functions of the social
worker and providing some of the main categories of social welfare services.
COURSE CONTENT
The course is divided into three teaching units.
TEACHING UNIT 1. Basic elements on administrative procedures in public social
welfare services.
TEACHING UNIT 2. Techniques and procedures in interventions aimed at adults with
income and housing difficulties.
TEACHING UNIT 3. Techniques and procedures in interventions aimed at situations
where there is a lack of self-sufficiency, and disabilities.
READING LIST
Lecture notes.
Texts of practical exercises carried out in class.
Handout, lecture notes and texts of practical exercises carried out in class can be found in
the download area of the lecturer’s web page (password to be announced in class).
TEACHING METHOD
The course will be taught through a combination of lectures and practical exercises.
ASSESSMENT METHOD
There is a single exam covering all three modules (methods and techniques, principles
and foundations, procedures and working techniques) and will take written and oral form.
NOTES
Further information can be found on the lecturer’s webpage at
http://docenti.unicatt.it/web/searchByName.do?language=ENG or on the Faculty notice
board.