The session of Social Security Subcomission of Saeima (Parliament) on 20th November

November 20, 2013 socialWEN Actualities

The Subcomission of Social Security of Saeima took place on the 20th November. During the session Social Work education issues were discussed. In this session were involved a number of representatives from SWA, Christian Academy, University of Stradini in Riga, University of Liepaja, members of parliament of Saema, representatives from the Ministry of Education and the Ministry of Welfare and SWA. Head of Social and Work Affairs commission of Saema Aija Barca has organized a second meeting to discuss problems in Social Work.
All representatives shared their opinions and views in regards of the problems they encountered in Social Work education in Latvia. Lolita Vilka from Stradini University pointed notability of education in the context of National Development Planning and necessity to develop separate branch of science – Social Work.
Ilze Skrodele from the Ministry of Welfare, using data collected in 2010, gave a review about the basic problems with Social Work education.
Representative from the Christian Academy, Skaidrite Gutmane, accented Caritative Social Work from the perspective of holistic problem solving approach. She advised ways to improve Social Work study programs in educational establishments.
Representative from SWA, Ieva Lass, dealt with the problem of considering the current situation in social work practice. She expressed the opinion that quite often young social workers still need to be trained by colleagues or other employees after graduation. They are not ready to work with different client groups. In its turn, high class professionals cannot use their skills and knowledge because Social Work is becoming more and more bureaucratic with its focus towards administration rather than case work.

The workshop “The maintenance of professionalism and competency of Social Workers: USA experience” will be held on the 8th November 2013 The Sub-commission of Social Security of Saeima (Parliament)