NCJ Number
56791
Journal
DEUTSCHE BEWAEHRUNGSHILFE Volume: 26 Issue: 1 Dated: (1979) Pages: 50-60
Date Published
1979
Length
11 pages
Annotation
CONCEPTS OF CONTINUING EDUCATION FOR PROBATION OFFICERS ARE DISCUSSED IN THE GENERAL FRAMEWORK OF WEST GERMAN SOCIAL WORK.
Abstract
THE PURPOSE OF SUCH CONTINUING EDUCATION IS TO HELP BRIDGE THE GAP BETWEEN THEORY AND PRACTICAL APPLICATION IN THE BASIC TRAINING PROGRAMS OF SOCIAL WORKERS, TO PROVIDE INFORMATION ON NEW METHODS, TO PROMOTE CRITICAL JUDGEMENT FOR EVERYDAY PRACTICE, AND TO ENCOURAGE DEVELOPMENT OF SOCIOLOGICAL IMAGINATION WHICH PERMITS INTERPRETATION AND APPLICATION OF LARGE QUANTITIES OF INFORMATION. ACCORDING TO A 1975 COURT SURVEY IN LOWER SAXONY, CONTINUING EDUCATION SHOULD TAKE THE FORM OF SEMINARS BASED ON GROUP DYNAMICS, DISCUSSION, BEHAVIORAL MODIFICATION, AND INTEGRATION; SUCH EDUCATION SHOULD INDIVIDUALIZE PROBLEMS, REDUCE FEAR AND UNCERTAINTY, IMPROVE CAREER OPPORTUNITIES, FACILITATE AVOIDANCE OF CONFLICTS WITH INSTITUTIONS, AND STRENGTHEN THE WORKER-CLIENT RELATIONSHIP. AS AN INSTITUTION, SOCIAL WORK CAN MEET THE NEEDS OF CLIENTS ONLY IF PRACTICAL, WORK-ORIENTED CONTINUING EDUCATION ON APPROPRIATE SUBJECTS IS PROVIDED FOR TEAMS AND GROUPS, AND IS CONDUCTED ON A DEMOCRATIC BASIS. CONTENTS SHOULD ENCOMPASS METHODS OF DEALING WITH VARIOUS CLIENT GROUPS, INDIVIDUAL AND GROUP PSYCHOLOGY, KNOWLEDGE OF INSTITUTIONS AND SOCIETY IN GENERAL, AND SPECIALIZED KNOWLEDGE FROM SOCIAL RESEARCH. DIDACTIC STRUCTURE OF COURSES CAN INCLUDE INFORMATION EXCHANGE THROUGH SPEAKERS ON A REGIONAL OR NATIONAL LEVEL, SEMINARS ON WORK COMPETENCE, LOCAL SEMINARS FOR DEVELOPING INDIVIDUAL WORK FORMS, INTERDISCIPLINARY COURSES, WORK PROJECTS WITH CLIENTS, COURSES ON THE EMPLOYEE STATUS OF SOCIAL WORKERS, COOPERATIVE COURSES WITH INSTITUTIONAL DECISIONMAKERS, AND SEMINARS ON SUPERVISION. ELIMINATION OF CENTRALLY ORGANIZED CONTINUING EDUCATION BY SEPARATE INSTITUTIONS AND DEINSTITUTIONALIZATION OF COURSE PLANNING ARE RECOMMENDED. REFERENCES ARE SUPPLIED. --IN GERMAN. (KMD)