Objectives of the course are:
1) to reinforce in the student the trifocal perspective of the professional social service with a) the deepening of the focus on person and family and the knowledge of the main professional tools, and b) the development of the skills to be used in the organizational and in community work;
2) provide the student with the basis for an evaluation approach.
At the end of the course the student:
- knows the organizational contexts in which the work of the social worker takes place, and the main theoretical approaches to the organizations
- knows how to orientate itself in primary and secondary networks, with particular attention to the integration between social and health networks
- knows the fundamentals and history of community social service
- knows the fundamentals of evaluation in the aid process, projects and services
1) to reinforce in the student the trifocal perspective of the professional social service with a) the deepening of the focus on person and family and the knowledge of the main professional tools, and b) the development of the skills to be used in the organizational and in community work;
2) provide the student with the basis for an evaluation approach.
At the end of the course the student:
- knows the organizational contexts in which the work of the social worker takes place, and the main theoretical approaches to the organizations
- knows how to orientate itself in primary and secondary networks, with particular attention to the integration between social and health networks
- knows the fundamentals and history of community social service
- knows the fundamentals of evaluation in the aid process, projects and services
teacher profile teaching materials
First Part:
-The helping relationship: characteristics, objectives, and ethical principles; relational dynamics and problematic aspects within the professional relationship.
-Phases of the methodological process: analysis of the request, assessment, planning, implementation, and evaluation of the intervention.
-Functions of welcoming, accompanying, and supporting: promoting autonomy and empowerment through the construction of a shared pathway.
-Evaluation in social work: purposes, tools, and criteria for assessing needs, resources, and outcomes of the intervention.
-The professional social work interview: types, objectives, communication techniques, and management of the relationship in different operational contexts.
-Home visit: meaning, purposes, and methods of conducting it; observation as a tool for understanding and interpreting the living context.
-Social work documentation: functions, types, and principles for preparing professional documentation across different work settings.
Second Part: Tools and Strategies in the Complexity of Social Work
-Group work and working with groups: functions, phases, and dynamics of groups in social work; the group as a tool for help, learning, and participation.
-Network work: building and managing formal and informal networks; the social worker’s role as a connector among resources, services, and people.
-Community work: principles and methods of community intervention; promotion of participation, collective empowerment, and development of social capital.
Third Part: Fields of Social Work Intervention
-Socio-healthcare integration: models, tools, and levels of integration; the social worker’s role within integrated services and multiprofessional teamwork.
-Social work with children and families: family counseling services, parenting support, foster care, adoption, participatory approaches, and innovative projects.
-Social work and mental health: case management, networking, empowerment, and promotion of the rights of people with mental health disorders.
-Social work and disability: evolution of policies, human rights–based approach (UN Convention), individualized planning, and Life Project.
-Research and social work: research as a tool for reflexivity, evaluation, and innovation in professional practice.
Allegri, E. (2015). Il servizio sociale di comunità. Carocci Editore (except Chapter 7)
Fabbri, V. (2013). Il gruppo e l’intervento sociale: progettare, condurre, valutare. Carocci Faber. (except Chapter 7)
Campanini, A. M. (2016). Gli ambiti di intervento del servizio sociale. Carocci Faber (study Chapters: 2, 4, 8, 9, 10, 11, 13, 14)
Raineri, M.L. e Corradini, F. (2022). Linee guida e procedure di servizio sociale. Erickson (study Chapters 4 to 15)
Relevant legislation for each area of social work practice.
A research article of your choice from those on the list uploaded to Formonline or agreed with your tutor (at least one month in advance), relating to an area of social work practice.
Programme
The program is divided into three parts:First Part:
-The helping relationship: characteristics, objectives, and ethical principles; relational dynamics and problematic aspects within the professional relationship.
-Phases of the methodological process: analysis of the request, assessment, planning, implementation, and evaluation of the intervention.
-Functions of welcoming, accompanying, and supporting: promoting autonomy and empowerment through the construction of a shared pathway.
-Evaluation in social work: purposes, tools, and criteria for assessing needs, resources, and outcomes of the intervention.
-The professional social work interview: types, objectives, communication techniques, and management of the relationship in different operational contexts.
-Home visit: meaning, purposes, and methods of conducting it; observation as a tool for understanding and interpreting the living context.
-Social work documentation: functions, types, and principles for preparing professional documentation across different work settings.
Second Part: Tools and Strategies in the Complexity of Social Work
-Group work and working with groups: functions, phases, and dynamics of groups in social work; the group as a tool for help, learning, and participation.
-Network work: building and managing formal and informal networks; the social worker’s role as a connector among resources, services, and people.
-Community work: principles and methods of community intervention; promotion of participation, collective empowerment, and development of social capital.
Third Part: Fields of Social Work Intervention
-Socio-healthcare integration: models, tools, and levels of integration; the social worker’s role within integrated services and multiprofessional teamwork.
-Social work with children and families: family counseling services, parenting support, foster care, adoption, participatory approaches, and innovative projects.
-Social work and mental health: case management, networking, empowerment, and promotion of the rights of people with mental health disorders.
-Social work and disability: evolution of policies, human rights–based approach (UN Convention), individualized planning, and Life Project.
-Research and social work: research as a tool for reflexivity, evaluation, and innovation in professional practice.
Core Documentation
Zilianti, A. e Rovai, B. (2007). Assistenti sociali professionisti. Metodologia del lavoro sociale, Carocci Faber, Roma (except Chapter 7)Allegri, E. (2015). Il servizio sociale di comunità. Carocci Editore (except Chapter 7)
Fabbri, V. (2013). Il gruppo e l’intervento sociale: progettare, condurre, valutare. Carocci Faber. (except Chapter 7)
Campanini, A. M. (2016). Gli ambiti di intervento del servizio sociale. Carocci Faber (study Chapters: 2, 4, 8, 9, 10, 11, 13, 14)
Raineri, M.L. e Corradini, F. (2022). Linee guida e procedure di servizio sociale. Erickson (study Chapters 4 to 15)
Relevant legislation for each area of social work practice.
A research article of your choice from those on the list uploaded to Formonline or agreed with your tutor (at least one month in advance), relating to an area of social work practice.
Reference Bibliography
Recommended references: Ardesi, S., & Filippini, S. (2008). Il servizio sociale e le famiglie con minori. Carocci Faber Bini, L. (2003). Documentazione e servizio sociale, Carocci, Roma Bartolomei, A., e Passera, A. L. (2002). L'assistente sociale: manuale di servizio sociale professionale. CieRre edizioni. Bertotti, T. (2016). Decidere nel servizio sociale. Carocci Editore Campanini, A. M. (a cura di) (2022). Nuovo dizionario di Servizio sociale, Carocci Faber, Roma. Fazzi, L., e Rosignoli, A. (2025). Servizio sociale e maltrattamento. Carocci Leone, L., & Prezza, M. (1999). Costruire e valutare i progetti nel sociale. Manuale operativo per chi lavora su progetti in campo sanitario, sociale, educativo e culturale. FrancoAngeli. Raineri, M.L. e Corradini, F. (2022). Linee guida e procedure di servizio sociale. Erickson Sanicola, L. (2009). Dinamiche di rete e lavoro sociale, Liguori, NapoliType of delivery of the course
TRADITIONAL LESSONSAttendance
ATTENDANCE AT LECTURES is OPTIONAL but strongly recommendedType of evaluation
Examination will be given in oral form. During the exam, students will also be asked about an area of social service intervention through an in-depth study of a research article on the topic, chosen together with the professor (at least one month in advance). An optional written test will be prepared in December on half of the program.