105
Higher School of Social Work and Social Pedagogic “Attistiba”Ltd.
second level
professional higher education bachelor study program
“Social work”
Self-evaluation Report
Duration of studies – 4 years (160 credit points)
Study language – Latvian
Director of the program:
Prof., Dr.paed. Lidija Silneva
dep. Prof., Dr.paed. Aina Vilcina
Eizenijas street 1, Riga LV-1007, Latvija; reg. No. 40103020433
phone / fax (371) 7 458937, phone (371) 7 459089; e-mail: ; www.attistiba.lv
Legal address: Ierocu street 1, Riga, LV-1013
CONTENT
1. / Goal, mission and policy of the Higher School of Social Work and Social Pedagogic “Attistiba”...... / ...... 5
2. /
Schematic representation of study programs offered by HSSWSP “Atistiba”...
/ ...... 63. / Extract from decision of the Senate meeting of HSSWSP “ATTISTIBA” on approval of II level professional higher education bachelors study program “Social Work” ……………………………...... / ...... 7
4. / License on rights to realize II level professional higher education bachelors study program “Social Work” ……………...... / ...... 8
5. / Extract from decision of the Senate meeting of HSSWSP “ATTISTIBA” on approval of self-evaluation report of II level professional higher education bachelors study program “Social Work”...... / ...... 9
6. / Perspective evaluation of II level professional higher education bachelors study program “Social Work” ……………...... / ...... 10
7. / Description of II level professional higher education bachelors study program “Social Work” ……………...... / ...... 11
7.1. / Goals and objectives of the program...... / ...... 12
7.2. / Conceptual basis of the program ...... / ...... 13
7.3. / Size and duration of the program ...... / ...... 14
7.4. / Correspondence of the goals and objectives of the program to the content of the program...... / ...... 18
7.5. / Description of the program ...... / ...... 19
7.6. / Study practice ...... / ...... 36
7.7. / Correspondence of the program to the State Standard of professional higher education ...... / ...... 40
7.8. / Study forms and methods used in the program ...... / ...... 43
7.9. / Evaluation of knowledge of program’s students ...... / ...... 44
7.10. / Analysis of evaluation of knowledge and skills of program’s students in academic year 2002./2003 ...... …. / ...... 46
7.11. / Correspondence of the program to Professional Standard of social worker...... ……. / ...... 48
7.12. / Comparison of the program to similar programs of the same profession and level that are realized in other educational institutions in Latvia ...... / ...... 52
7.13. / Comparison of the program to programs of the same level that are realized in other countries...... / ...... 55
7.14. / Development of program since last accreditation ...... / ...... 58
7.15. / Plan of development of the program ...... / ...... 65
8. / Characteristics of the students of II level professional higher education bachelors study program “Social Work”...... / ...... 66
8.1. / Number of students of the Higher School, October 1, 2003 ...... / ...... 66
8.2. / Portrait of the students ...... / ...... 67
8.3. / Results of the student’s survey...... / ...... 70
8.4. / Number of graduates ...... / ...... 72
8.5. / Summary of results of graduate’s survey ...... / ...... 73
8.6. / Participation of students in the development of study process ...... / ...... 74
8.7. / Involvement of students in research projects ...... / ...... 76
9. / Characteristics of academic staff of II level professional higher education bachelors study program “Social Work”...... / ...... 78
9.1. / List of academic staff and study courses taught ...... / ...... 80
9.2. / Research activities of academic staff and its impact on study work...... / ...... 84
10. / Characteristics of external links of II level professional higher education bachelors study program “Social Work”...... / ...... 87
10.1. / International relations within the program ...... / ...... 87
10.2. / Link of the program with the employers ...... / ...... 92
10.3. / Results of employer’s survey ...... / ...... 93
11. / Annual expenses per student of II level professional higher education bachelors study program “Social Work”...... / ...... 96
12. / Characteristics of material resources of the HSSWSP “Attistiba” study programs on September 1, 2003 ...... / ...... 97
13. / Quality management at the HSSWSP “Attistiba” ...... / ...... 99
14. / Advertising and informative publications about study opportunities at the HSSWSP “ATTISTIBA” ...... / ...... 101
15. / Confirmation about guarantees in a case of cancellation of study program….. / ...... 102
16. / Letters of recommendation ...... / ...... 104
16.1. / Recommendation from Department of Social Services and Social Assistance, Ministry of Welfare ...... / ...... 104
16.2. / Recommendation of the Merseburg Higher School ...... / ...... 105
INTRODUCTION
Higher School of Social Work and Social Pedagogic “Attistiba” (further HSSWSP “Attistiba”) is higher educational institution founded by the juridical person which in November 2, 1988 was established as an Adult Training and Re-qualification center. The Council of the Ministry of National Education of Latvian Republic accepted social work study program developed by the Higher School in April 16, 1991 and on the 1st of September same year first students were admitted.
HSSWSP “Attistiba” was accredited in 1993. Constitution of the HSSWSP “Attistiba” was approved by the Cabinet of Ministers of LR in July 9, 1996 but professional study program “Social Work” was accredited in July 3, 1997.
During the post accreditation period we have worked a lot on the development of the content and organization of the program considering recommendations and instructions of accreditation experts as well as changes in educational and social legislation in Latvia.
Last two years we have worked on the re-organization of the program changing it’s status from professional higher education to professional higher bachelor education concurrently putting more emphasis on the scientific research, advanced professional practice, approbation of international practice, quality management of the program, further educational opportunities and development of the Master program in professional social work.
Now we present the 2nd Level Professional Higher Education Bachelors Study Program “Social Work” which is logical continuation of the Professional Study Program “Social Work” accredited in 1997 maintaining it’s academic staff, students, organizational principles and content. Therefore in the self-evaluation report we use new name of the program – 2nd Level Professional Higher Education Bachelors Study Program “Social Work”.
Director of the Program
Prof., Dr.Paed. Lidija Silneva
Prof., Dr.Paed. Aina Vilcina
1. GOAL, MISSION AND POLICY OF THE HIGHER SCHOOL OF SOCIAL WORK AND SOCIAL PEDAGOGIC “ATTISTIBA”
Higher School of Social Work and Social Pedagogic “Attistiba” Ltd. acts according to the Constitution of Latvian Republic, Law on the Higher Schools, Law on Education, Law on Scientific Work, other legislation and Constitution of the HSSWSP “Attistiba” which was adopted on July 9, 1996 and which defines goals, objectives and basic principles as well as competencies and forms of activities of the Higher School.
Mission:
Facilitation of social welfare of all social groups, improvement of the quality of social services and stimulation of social solidarity in the society with the provision of professional education for social workers.
Goal:
To provide first and second level higher professional education and higher academic education in social work, social pedagogy and other fields of education to the residents of Latvia to maintain and develop intellectual potential required in the state and to promote the development of social sciences.
Objectives:
1. To provide students with the opportunity to gain the first and second level higher professional education and higher academic education, adequate professional qualification and academic degrees in social work and social pedagogic and other fields of education;
2. To secure academic freedom of academic staff and students;
3. To develop and realize study programs and professional training and continuing education programs in social work and social pedagogic and other fields of education;
4. To conduct fundamental and applied research in social sciences;
5. To inform society about activities of the Higher School, directions of it’s studies and scientific research as well as offer to the society results of scientific research and professional findings.
Policy of the Higher School:
Policy of the Higher School include environmental development of the Higher School that is closely linked to the mission, professional values, attitudes, traditions, ethic and responsibilities of the social workers. In its center is human being with own unique individuality, needs and possibilities of their realization. It means human attitude towards student’s and teacher’s diverse language, race, gender, religious beliefs, sexual orientation, outlook, socio-economic conditions as well as aspiration to guarantee equal chances to everyone – men and women, people with special needs, orphans, children from large families, people from ethnic groups and from the most vulnerable groups of people.
2. Schematic representation of study programs offered by HSSWSP “Atistiba”
3. EXCERPT FROM THE DECISION OF THE SENATE of the HSSWSP ‘Attistiba’ on the validation of II LEVEL PROFESSIONAL HIGHER EDUCATION BACHELORS STUDY PROGRAM “SOCIAL WORK”
April 12, 2002
SENATE DECIDES:
- To reorganize HSSWSP ‘Attistiba’ social work study program according to the Regulations No. 141 of the Cabinet of Ministers of LR ‘ Regulations on the I level professional higher education state standard’ and ‘II level professional higher education state standard’, Draft standards of social workers, social carers, social rehabilitators, organizers of social assistance professions as well as Draft Law ‘On social services and social assistance’.
- To introduce I level professional higher education programs ‘Social care’, ‘ Social rehabilitation’, ‘Organization of social assistance’ and consequent II level professional higher education program ‘ Social work’ (type 2+2).
- To introduce professional bachelors study program ‘ Social work’ developing content of he study program ‘ Social work’ according to the professional bachelors standard.
Chair of the Senate signature Z. Gosa
Secretary of the Senate signature V. Roga
4. License on rights to realize II LEVEL PROFESSIONAL HIGHER EDUCATION BACHELORS STUDY PROGRAM’S “SOCIAL WORK”
Issued to Higher School of Social Work and Social Pedagogic ‘Attistiba’ on rights to realize:
Professional study program ‘Social work’ (45765) to obtain professional bachelor degree in social work and qualification of social worker.
Term of the License: till 25.04.2006
Date of issue of the License: April 25, 2003.
Place of issue of the License: Riga, Republic of Latvia
No. of the License: 04035-7
K. Sadurskis
Minister of Education and Science of LR
5. EXTRACT FROM THE DECISION OF THE SENATE of the HSSWSP ‘Attistiba’ on the validation of self-evaluation report of II LEVEL PROFESSIONAL HIGHER EDUCATION BACHELORS STUDY
PROGRAM “SOCIAL WORK”
December 5, 2003
SENATE DECIDES:
1. To validate self-evaluation report of the II level professional higher education study program ‘ Social work’.
2. Delegate Vice-Rector in study work Iveta Dambe to turn in the application for accreditation in the Ministry of Education and Science.
Chair of the Senate signature Z. Gosa
Secretary of the Senate signature L. Vibota
6. II LEVEL PROFESSIONAL HIGHER EDUCATION BACHELORS STUDY PROGRAM’S “SOCIAL WORK” PERSPECTIVE EVALUATION
In January 1, 2003 Law on Social Services and Social Assistance of LR was enacted whose Article 6 defines those persons who have the rights to perform social work requiring all social work practitioners working in the system of social welfare II level professional higher or academic education in social work beginning with January 1, 2008.
There is critical situation in the country regarding provision with social workers. According to the data provided by Foundation of Social Assistance of Ministry of Welfare in state social institutions in 2002 social workers are provided only at the level of 61%, i.e. 60,5 staff units out of 99 necessary. In the beginning of 2002 73 social worker staff units were approved. In first six months of 2002 only 60,5 units out of 73 were actually employed. Besides it should be taken into consideration that most of those specialists had secondary professional education (gained at the Institute of Social Relations “Attistiba”, P.Stradina 2. Medical School etc.) but higher education in social work in 2003 have only about 20% of all social workers employed at the social institutions. Wherewith lack of professionals with the higher professional education is more clearly seen.
Due to limited financial means of practitioners for the educational development and professional training Ministry of Welfare of LR in 1999/2000 assigned budgeted studies for 80 students of the Higher School “Attistiba”. Responding to the demand of practitioners Ministry of Welfare repeatedly assigned budgeted studies for 67 students in academic year 2003/2004 for 4 study years.
Therefore necessity for the services of social work education in the Latvian welfare system is undisputable.
7. DESCRIPTION OF II LEVEL PROFESSIONAL HIGHER EDUCATION BACHELORS STUDY PROGRAM “SOCIAL WORK”
II level professional higher education bachelors study program “Social Work” is developed according to legislation of LR, laws and regulations of the Ministry of Science and Education of LR, Recommendation of the Council of EU on collaboration in Europe in provision of the quality of higher education as well as guidelines of Bologna process.
· Duration of the study program – 4 years.
· Credit points: minimal amount of credit points to receive bachelors’ degree and professional qualification in social work is 160 credit points (240 ECTS) what corresponds to 40 study weeks in each academic year.
· Previous education requirements: general secondary or professional secondary education.
· Attainable degree: professional bachelors’ degree in social work.
· Attainable qualification: social worker.
· Possibility to attain specialization in social pedagogy.
· Attainable diploma – II level professional higher education bachelors diploma.
Within the framework of educational program Socrates/Erasmus we continue to work on approximation (equalization) of national credit points to ECTS, which allows to increase the evaluation of the quality of study process at the Higher School. While securing the full recognition of the study process we carry out such activities as informative consultations to the academic and administrative staff of the Higher School, developing the Diploma supplement for the students who study abroad all study courses studied in foreign educational institution are described and included in the supplement (the duration of studies and acquired credit points are fully accepted).