Psychosocial Interventions with Children and Families (in English)

Short presentation of the programme:

The programme aims to prepare future specialists and develop the skills at working with children and families of current specialists. The students have an opportunity to acquire a wide range of knowledge, develop skills and study innovative methods/interventions applicable in working with specific groups of children which have been prevalent in Europe and Bulgaria for the last 15 years. The specific groups of children (and families) targeted by the programme are the following: children at risk of violence and neglect; children from children’s homes; children in conflict with the law; children, victims of trafficking, physical and sexual abuse; children involved in paid sexual services; with families of children and children with disabilities (physical, intellectual, mental); children, representatives of different ethnic groups and cultures (Roma children, refugees, etc.); children and families living in poverty; children of parents who work abroad; children with chronic diseases (eg HIV-positive children).

The programme is designed both for experienced social workers providing social services to children and families in the school and preschool education system, as well as for professionals from other areas motivated to develop skills in working with children at risk and managing services for children at risk. The students acquire knowledge and skills to apply the casework method. The focus of the instruction is on an internship with children and families at risk under professional supervision. During the internship, the students integrate the theories taught and acquire skills to assess, plan and implement interventions aimed at providing a safe environment for children in family and community life.

The instruction enables students to work in multidisciplinary teams, understand the dynamics of customer relations, understand and manage relationships in a multidisciplinary team, understand the philosophy and ethical standards of modern practices for working with children, acquire skills to apply in daily practice, use modern teaching methods, such as interactive methods, online discussions with professors and students from other European universities, participation in international webinars, use of online educational resources in the field of child protection and work with children at risk, as well as use their knowledge to ensure the quality of working with clients and to improve the professional environment. The students develop skills in managing team processes, interventions and mentoring in social work.

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Psychosocial Interventions with Children and Families (in English)

Major and professional qualification:

Major: Social work with children and families – Clinical profile
Qualification: Social worker /Specialists in Social Work (children)

Practical training courses:

Students practice in services for children and families under the supervision of program teachers.

Graduate Student Competencies:

o Theories of individual development

o Theories in social work and their application in practice

o Approaches, techniques, and programs in working with children and their families

o Multi-sectoral cooperation and children’s rights

o Roles and responsibilities in multidisciplinary teams working with children and their families

o Policy development and implementation

o International child welfare policies and practices and their implementation in the local community of practice

o The relational dimensions in the professional environment

Skills for:

o Working with specific groups of children: Children living in residential services, children in conflict with the law, child victims of trafficking, physical, and sexual violence, children with disabilities, children of different ethnic groups and cultures

o Casework: With children and families

o Management of team processes, mentoring, and interviewing

Graduation:

After covering the required number of credits, a Master’s Thesis defence and/or a state examination.

Occupation and possible positions:

o Community social services

o Child protection departments

o Schools

o Medical centres

o Psycho-social counselling centres

Department :

Health Care and Social Work