RAISING AWARENESS OF SCHOOL SOCIAL WORK IN SLOVAKIA

Abstract

The objective of the present study was to point out the current perception of the roles of school social workers and other professional staff members in secondary schools from the perspective of school managers. In conducting the research, the authors focused on interrelationships between social work and education. In using the qualitative method of semi-structured interviews, the authors analysed the current state in the school environment from the perspective of school managers in secondary schools in the Nitra Region. There were 16 respondents included in the study. According to the respondents, the school environment is able to recruit professional staff members, and thus reflect the increasing need for professional interventions in dealing with increasing social risk factors. According to our findings, the most acceptable form is employing a school social worker directly by the school. In the present, however, there is insufficient funding, legislative anchoring of school social work, and specialised education for social workers.