This program’s goal is to facilitate the development of professionals’ practice skills of working with children and families in the social, educational and health sectors. During their training the students will acquire theoretical knowledge and the most recent scientific data in the field of individual development and family relations and how those are related to children’s rights policies. They will learn about and practice skills, innovative methods and interventions in working with specific groups of children and families and will gain international perspective on the priority areas related to child and family developments in EU and globally.

The specific groups of children and families central to this program are:

● Children living in abusive and neglectful environment,

● Children living in residential services,

● Children in conflict with the law,

● Victims of trafficking, physical, and sexual abuse,

● Children involved in prostitution,

● Children with disabilities and their families,

● Children of different ethnic groups and cultures (Roma children, refugees, etc.),

● Children and families living in poverty,

● Children of parents working abroad,

● Children with chronic conditions (eg. HIV-positive children).

This program is designed for those applicants who have experience in working with children and families in social services, in the school and the health sectors. Applicants from other sectors are invited to apply too. The prerequisite for them is to take additional courses offered in the preparatory term before starting the internship section of the program aimed at acquiring skills for working with at-risk children and managing services for at-risk children.

The major goal of the program is to provide the students with the necessary knowledge and skills for implementing the Casework approach. Therefore, its central section is internhips under supervision. During the internship the students will integrate the acquired knowledge in their working with children and families developing specific skills used in the process of assessing, planning, and implementing interventions aimed at providing a safe for children in family and community life.

The program team will provide the students with the opportunity to:

- Practice Casework,

- Work in multidisciplinary teams,

- Understand the dynamics of professional-client relations,

- Understand and manage relationships within the multidisciplinary team,

- Understand the philosophy and ethical standards of modern practice in working with children, as well as the skills to apply them elsewhere,

- Using modern training methods, online discussions with lecturers and students from other European universities, participating in international webinars, use of online training resources in the field of child protection,

- Use this knowledge obtained to ensure the quality of their work, and to improve their professional environment.