Notions and Principles of Social Work

EXPECTED LEARNING OUTCOMES

The learning outcomes can be divided into two main objectives:

a) acquire knowledge of the evolution of care over the centuries, closely linked to the cultural, socioeconomic, and political transformations that have marked the history of Europe, the Anglo-Saxon countries, and particularly Italy; explore the development of social work in Italy during the twentieth century, including through the contribution of the profession's pioneers, with a focus on the most significant "founding events" as well as the major reforms and cultural movements that reshaped the organization of social and health services, influencing the adoption of the relevant theoretical models.

b) understand the legal and regulatory framework and the core values ​​of social work from an international perspective and develop an awareness of the ethical and professional deontological issues related to the practice of the profession, identifying the key ethical dimensions, their implications, and their operational implications for professional responsibilities; Understand the structure and guidelines of the New Code of Ethics for Social Workers in light of the socio-cultural, technological, and organizational innovations that have affected social services.

Students do not need any specific prerequisites, but rather a strong aptitude and curiosity to learn the ethical and deontological foundations of Social Work and identify the essential traits of its professional identity. However, for the part of the program focusing on the historical development of the profession, a good understanding of the political, cultural, and socioeconomic processes that shaped twentieth-century Italian history would be desirable, as a starting point for understanding the birth and development of Social Work in our country.

Attendance is mandatory as per the regulations and is for the purpose of the intermediate written exam at the end of the first module and the oral exam at the end of the second.

MODULE I – care through the centuries - the birth and evolution of social work and its theoretical models of intervention

• the philosophical and anthropological roots of social work and the meanings attributed to the concepts of poverty and care from the middle ages to the contemporary era;

• the influence of christianity and twentieth-century ideologies.

• care policies during fascism.

• the Tremezzo conference as a founding event of social work and the "pioneers" of the profession, with particular reference to Paolina Tarugi, Maria Comandini Calogero, and Odile Vallin;

• the welfare state and social care in Italy in light of the principles and values ​​enshrined in the 1948 republican constitution;

• the major welfare organizations and postwar schools of social work and new intervention methodologies for individuals (casework), groups (groupwork), and communities (community work).

• the development of the profession in the second half of the twentieth century: from the economic boom to the 1968 protests;

• notes on welfare and social security legislation and reform laws of the 1970s;

• the healthcare reform process and law no. 328 of 2000, "framework law for the creation of an integrated system of social interventions and services," in light of the amendments to Title V of the Constitution;

MODULE II: the laws establishing social work and the relationship between ethics and law; professional ethics and the new code of ethics; emerging themes

• the legislation establishing the profession and the relationship between ethics and law;

• the principles and foundations of social work from an international perspective;

• the values ​​and rights underlying social work: human rights and the centrality of the person, "situated values" and "relational values";

• the process of adapting the code of ethics and the forms of participation of the professional community in the demands for renewal;

• the system of responsibilities established by the current code of ethics: towards the user, society, colleagues, the organization, and the profession.

• the new code of ethics in light of sociocultural innovations, the new organizational structures of social services, and regulatory changes;

• the disciplinary procedure and the system of sanctions;

• some of the emerging current issues: social work in the face of the challenges posed by the digital age, the new sensitivity towards the environment and eco-sustainable development, and addressing ethical dilemmas;

• supplementary teaching activities across professional courses, with the contribution of external experts and instructors.

• Pieroni G., Dal Pra Ponticelli M., Introduzione al Servizio Sociale. Storia, principi e deontologia, ed. Carocci, 2024, from p. 11 to 80 e from p. 115 to 158
• Biffi F., Pasini A., Principi e Fondamenti del Servizio Sociale, Concetti base, valori e radici storiche, ed. Erickson, 2018 –– all
• Stefani M., Le origini del servizio sociale italiano. Tremezzo: un evento fondativo del 1946. Saggi e testimonianze, ed. Viella, 2012, from p. 83 to 107, from p. 295 to 327
• Fontana M.P., Giordano M., Gorgoni A., Nappi A., Deontologia come Habitus. Introduzione al nuovo Codice deontologico dell'assistente sociale, ed. Franco Angeli, 2021, all

•      The Concept of Poverty in the Middle Ages: Welfare Interventions and Structures
•        Christianity and Charitable Action: Influences on the Development of Social Work
•         The English "Poor Law" of 1601
•        The Charity Organization Society (COS): Theoretical Presuppositions and Organizational Structure
•       Factory Social Work in the Fascist Period
•       Labor and Social Policies in Post-War Italy
•       Proceedings of the Tremezzo Conference: The Need for a Historical-Humanistic Culture for Social Workers
•       The Tremezzo Conference and Its Protagonists
•       Social Work as an Instrument of Democracy According to Maria Comandini Calogero
•       Post-War Social Problems and the Role of Social Work in Large Institutions
•       The First Schools of Social Work: Organization and Cultural Approach
•        Emergence and Functions of the Municipal Welfare Institution                                           
•       The social policies of the International Aid Administration (A.A.I.)
•        Articles of the Italian Constitution that directly or indirectly affect Social Services
•       The impact of the 1968 youth protests on Social Services
•        Law No. 84 of 1993 and Presidential Decree No. 14 of 1987
•        The relationship between personal, professional, and institutional codes of ethics according to Banks
•       Biestek and the first list of principles
•       The concept of social justice and its implications  
•           First, second, and third-generation human rights
•      "Situated" values ​​and "relational" values
•       The international code of ethics: Ethics in social work
•        The global definition of social work
•       The code of ethics: critical analysis of Titles I and II
•        The trifocal approach to Social Services
•        The social worker's responsibility towards their work organization
•       The concept of self-determination
•        Responsibilities to the profession
•       The obligation of professional secrecy
•       The disciplinary sanction of censure
•       Disciplinary proceedings
•       Ethical challenges raised by the digital revolution
•       Ethical guidelines for community work
•       Engaging with other professions in the dialogue between their respective ethical standards
•       Social work and eco-sustainable development
•        Ethical dilemmas in social work