Description of the study direction. Social welfare Name of the study direction

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1 Description of the study direction Social welfare Name of the study direction 2013/ 2014 Academic year Structure of the description 1. Development strategy of the study direction, common aims and their relation to the common strategy of RSU. The strategic goal of the study direction Social welfare is: to ensure high quality education in the field of social work and for social development workers, developing the excellence of skills and competence in social work education, practice, research and social development and contributing to the implementation of social work policy and sustainable development of this field in our country. Currently RSU Study direction Social welfare implements study programmes in the field of social work and puts into effect the RSU strategy in one of its education and research directions - "Globalization, social, economic, legal and medical problems" (see ) The study direction is implemented in the Department of Welfare and Social Work (Anniņmuižas 26 A). Since 1 July 2014 the Department is a structural unit of the newly created RSU Faculty of Public Health and Social Welfare. 2. Prospective evaluation of the study direction and study programmes from the angle of the interests of the Republic of Latvia. The field of social work has a special role to play in solving the issues of social welfare in the country. According to the Social Services and Social Assistance Law, the goal of social work is to help a person, a family or a group of persons to define, solve or reduce social problems, developing the resources of the person and involving support systems (VI. Goal of social work and requirements for social work specialists). Regarding qualification, the Law defines that: social work may be carried out by persons that have obtained second level professional higher or academic education in social work or charitable social work 1. The interests of the Republic of Latvia in the development of Social welfare direction and social work study programmes are defined in the middle-term planning document Guidelines for development of professional social work for the years ". The sub-goals of the guideline policy define several tasks for higher education institutions that prepare social workers: to organize methodical support measures; to create a goal-oriented approach for supporting the studies of persons enrolled in social work education programmes; to improve the professionalism of social workers, to ensure support for the development of the scientific and research basis for 1 Article 41 of the Social Services and Social Assistance Law 1

2 social work; to implement professional improvement of social workers (on the basis of research); to conduct ex-ante research for evaluating the satisfaction of clients of social services, etc. 3. Development Plan of the Study Direction Picture No 1. The development plan for the study direction "Social Welfare" Internal work External cooperation BA I. Study work: Developing 2nd level study programmes MG National scale Cooperation with the creators of Social welfare policy (SDLK, Ministry of Welfare) and employers (association of heads of social services, local authority social services) Cooperation with professional organizations II. Post-diploma education Cooperation with colleges and universities Activities for improving qualification (conferences, seminars, etc.) Post-diploma education programmes Public activity of teaching staff and students: voluntary work of students, participation in social activities, etc. International cooperation Scientific research and 3rd level education programme: Doctoral studies: Social Policy and Organization of Social Work 2 Mobility projects (ERASMUS, etc., ESF) Research, International conferences International study programme in the field of social work Participation in international professional organizations (EASSW, IASSW)

3 Implementation in academic year 2013/ 2014 Notes Activity I. Development of study programmes 1. An international Master's study programme in social work - "Social Work with Children and Youth - has been licensed and prepared for implementation 2. 2 new study modules have been developed in the Master's study programme for implementation in academic year 2014/ New resources to ensure the acquisition of specific skills for Social work in a medical institution: practical training, research, voluntary work of the students. II. Post-diploma education In cooperation with the Mykolas Romeris University (Lithuania) According to the social work guidelines Cooperation with the 1st Riga Hospital (RSU-RD contract, ) 1. Professional improvement conference for professionals "The pedagogy of adventure" In cooperation with RSU Faculty of Continuing Education 2. Academic readings in the regional local authorities / institutions of the Republic Ogre Social Service, SAC «Zemgale» III. Activities for recruiting students Culture school, Ogre state gymnasium, P. Stradiņš College, School-2014, lectures of MA students in schools. IV. Scientific research 3

4 1. ESF OPVK 2. 3 Development and support of the multidisciplinary research team at the University of Hradec Králové concerned with contemporary family 2. The study Management skills in social work across the Baltic States (Managementkompetenzen in der Sozialen Arbeit in den Ländern des Baltikums. 3. LZP Social Innovations Promoting Active and Healthy Ageing" 4. VPP EKOSOC, LV: 2.1. Project No 5.2. The trajectories of social and political transformations in Latvia in the post-crisis period: 5. Prepared for publication and published in the Proceedings of Rīga Stradiņš University 4th International Scientific Conference "SOCIETY, HEALTH. WELFARE". (Confirmed planned for completion in the year 2015). Completed INNOVAGE State research programme "Transformation of national economy, smart growth, management and legal framework for the sustainable development of state and society - new approaches for creating a sustainable knowledge society (EKOSOC-LV, (ministry registration No /13)) Development plan for the study direction Activities Notes Term (years) I. Development of study programmes: 1. Work on developing the international Master's study programme in social work "Social Work with Children and Youth. 2. Improvement of social work study programmes according to the Regulations No 512 of the Cabinet of Ministers (On National Standard of Professional Higher Education) 3. Improving the content of practical training according to the Social Work Policy II. Post-diploma education 1. Developing an offer of professional qualification improvement programmes for social work. 4 In cooperation with the Mykolas Romeris University (Lithuania) In cooperation with employer institutions. Participation in ESF projects (in cooperation with the Ministry of

5 Welfare) 2. Open University offer for professional qualification improvement Academic readings in social services and social assistance provider institutions III. Scientific research and 3rd level education programme: Development of Doctoral Studies in the sub-field Social Policy and Organization of Social Work 2. Participation in VPP: for the implementation of "Transformation of national economy, smart growth, management and legal framework for the sustainable development of state and society - new approaches for creating a sustainable knowledge society IV. External cooperation 1. Studying the demand for social workers with 2nd level education in local authorities and other institutions that provide social services 2. Cooperation with the Ministry of Welfare, Ministry of Education and Science, LPS, DDK, SDLK with the goal of obtaining state tenders for providing 2nd level professional higher education for social workers in RSU 3. The 2nd conference of social work education creators, social workers, specialists and social development workers 4. Work in the Coordination Council of Social Work Specialists IV. International cooperation 1. PROJECT: ESF opvk 2. 3 Development and maintenance of a multidisciplinary scientific and research team for a contemporary family studies at the university of Hradec Králové. 5 Project confirmed in the Cabinet of Ministers on September 16, The academic staff of the Department and 2 MA students will participate in the project. In cooperation with the Ministry of Welfare In cooperation with the Ministry of Welfare Research: the Department is involved in a comparative study in the thematic group: "Lifestyle of the modern family"

6 2. German grant programme Eastern partnerships : International study week Integrated care concepts for families with complex problem areas. (4 students per partner and 1 teacher ) International interdisciplinary scientific conference Society. Health. Welfare." 4. ERASMUS+ activities Participation of 4 students + 1 teacher Innternational Studies week in the Mainz Catholic University December 2015 (RSU contract with the Mainz Catholic University Compliance of the study direction and study programmes with the demand of the labour market labour and education market assessment results on the availability of jobs for the graduates of study programmes, employer survey results. The study programmes correspond to the labour market demand. Bearing in mind that in the field of social work there has been intensive personnel turnover, the RSU graduates do not have difficulty finding work in their profession. Employers positively evaluate the new RSU social work specialists. It must be noted that the third year students both in the 2012/2013 and the 2013/2014 academic year received job offers after practical training in social services and continue work as certified social workers after graduating university. During the previous academic year, information was collected on the graduates of Social Work study programmes. Since 2008, when the first graduation took place, 162 students have graduated from Bachelor s and Master's study programmes. On 1 March 2013, 96% of the graduates worked in the field of social welfare. Several graduates from previous years hold leading positions in institutions (Inguna Ziemane, Jana Pūķe, Marina Fiļipova, Zanda Puncule, Ints Leitarts, Kristīne Brūvere, Laura Leikuma and others). 6

7 5. The analysis of strengths, weaknesses, opportunities and threats (SWOT) of the study programme. Strengths 1. A well-supplied intellectual and material-technical basis ensures the quality of study programme implementation. 2. An international cooperation network has been created to provide opportunities for participating in student and teaching staff mobility programmes, as well as shared cooperation projects Weaknesses 1. Due to material circumstances, full-time students frequently need to work paid jobs. Due to the significant workload, it is not always possible to successfully combine studies with work duties. 2. It is necessary to increase the capacity of the Department at the level of academic goals and tasks, creating an optimal proportion between academic tasks and functional-technical duties. 3. Students are interested in the social work study programmes in RSU 4. Social workers with 2nd level professional higher education are in demand in the labour market. 5. The RSU graduates are employed in the social welfare sector and recognized in the labour market. Graduates foster the positive image of the RSU social work study programmes in the labour market. 6. Funding from the state budget has been renewed for the full-time Bachelor's study programme for the year Opportunities 1. Continue the cooperation between mediating institutions (LM, VM, IZM, SDLK) regarding the state tender for providing 2nd level professional higher education for social workers in RSU. Threats 1. In 2015 new study programmes in the study direction "Social Welfare", BA and MA "Social Work" will be offered for the labour market. (BPMA, STSA) Competition in the social work education space will increase. 2. Offer professional qualification improvement studies for social work specialists with ESF funding. 7

8 3. Conduct studies in local authorities and social service provider institutions regarding the demand for social work specialists. 4. Put as much efforts as possible to develop the international study programme "Social Work with Children and Youth. Well-organized popularization of the study programme, using the opportunities of international cooperation, as well as creating new contacts, in the next few years it is possible to offer the programme as an "export" education offer. 2. Description of the internal quality assurance system of the study direction. Quality management system has been implemented according to the requirements of ISO 9001 standard, regular audits, lecture and lesson observation, annual assessment of the study programme, discussion and analysis of the positive and negative traits, changes, development opportunities and plans, work of the study quality council in each faculty. The social work study programmes in the study direction "Social welfare" are implemented in the Rīga Stradiņš University, which has obtained the international Quality Management System ISO 9001:2008 standard certificate (See RSU Quality Policy ISO 9001:2008 standard certificate;). The RSU quality management system standard includes the ENQA (European Association for Qualify Assurance in Higher Education) study internal quality assurance standards and guidelines for quality evaluation in the European higher education space, as well as the requirements of the Law on Institutions of Higher Education. The quality management for the study programme is implemented according to the Higher education institution management process defined by the ISO standard. Internal quality assurance for the study programme is implemented in several ways: 1) prior to the start of the academic year, study plans and the academic resources required for their implementation are prepared and confirmed in the RSU Senate; 2) during the academic year at the end of each semester an analysis of study plan implementation is carried out in the structural unit, identifying the strengths and weaknesses of implementation and accordingly finding solutions for improving the quality of the study process; 3) ensuring mutual feedback between the RSU Department of Social Work and the students and providing student surveys at the end of study courses and semesters; 4) analysis of the work of the Welfare and Department of Social Work as a RSU structural unit also includes evaluating the implementation of 8

9 individual plans of the Department academic staff. 5) at the end of the academic year self-evaluation of the Department of Social Work and the study programme is carried out. 3. Resources (including financial resources) and material and technical means available to the study direction. Study programme funding sources for the 2013/ 2014 academic year included state budget funds and the funds of natural and legal persons. Financial resources are planned according to the RSU three-year strategic plan. The Department of Welfare and Social Work has prepared a detailed budget that includes necessary expenses for achieving the study programme goals. Financial resources have so far been sufficient for implementing programmes and development. The implementation of the financial plan is regularly controlled. Cost analysis is carried out in the structural unit to ensure balanced income/expenses for the study programme. An efficient administrative and technical personnel support system has been created in the RSU. Study programmes have good opportunities to ensure efficient study process: methodical and informative teaching aids are available, the available information and communication technologies are sufficient and modern to provide e-study and remote study opportunities for students, as well as to ensure efficient information exchange between students and academic staff. Library collections, their equipment and services ensure the achievement of study results and create a positive study environment, including the accessibility of collections in foreign languages. ( See Library; Library resource catalogues on the Internet In 2012, the Department of Welfare and Social Work obtained new premises in the RSU Medical Education Technology Centre, Anniņmuižas 26A, ensuring the students a modern learning environment and infrastructure 9

10 4. Cooperation in Latvia and abroad within the framework of the respective study direction Cooperation partners abroad Kolping University of Applied Sciences, /Lithuania/ Katholische Universität Eichstätt Inglostadt /German/ University of Tartu /Estonia/ Universidad Complutense de Madrid /Spain/ Activities 1) An international Master's study programme in social work - "Social Work with Children and Youth - has been licensed and prepared for implementation See 2) The development of cooperation contacts begun in 2012/2013 is being continued with foreign cooperation partners: - A contract has been signed with the Mainz Catholic University (Germany) regarding cooperation in the German grant programme Eastern Partnerships : International study week Integrated care concepts for families with complex problem areas. ( 4 students per partner and 1 teacher ); - Saxony University, Netherlands; Ruzhomberok University, Slovakia; Ljubljana University, Slovenia; Madrid University, Spain, are active partners in the student mobility programme ERASMUS. 4) The research project Management skills in social work in the Baltic countries:managementkompetenzen in der Socialen Arbeit in den 10

11 Landern des Balticums) has been completed. Project partners: Kolpinga Business Sciences University, Department of Social Work (Lithuania); Eichstätt-Ingolstadt Catholic University, Department of Social Work (Germany), Rīga Stradiņš University Department of Welfare and Social Work and Tartu University Sociology and Social Policy Institute (Estonia). 4) The study on life quality in families continues in cooperation with the Hradec Kralove University (Czech Republic); it was planned to complete the project in the year Student mobility; In the 2013/ 2014 academic year 4 students from the Bachelor's study programme have studied abroad within the framework of ERASMUS programme. A visit to the Ljubljana University - participation in international summer school with a 4 student group and 1 teacher - (ERASMUS) The students of the Master's study programme have not used the student mobility programme (ERASMUS). Lecturer mobility. During the reporting period, by 5 lecturers of the Department participated in tracher mobility programme (ERASMUS): L. Vilka: teaching visit to the Netherlands Saxion University (ERASMUS exchange programme). A. Vilks: teaching visit to the Netherlands Saxion University (ERASMUS exchange programme). M. Smirnova: teaching visit to Spain, Universidad Complutense de Madrid (ERASMUS exchange programme). I. Razgale: teaching lecturing visit to Spain, Universidad Complutense de Madrid (ERASMUS exchange programme). D. Briede: teaching visit to the Hradec Kralove University (Czech Republic) (ERASMUS exchange programme). 11

12 5. List of study programmes, specifying the amount of credits, type of studies, degree to be awarded, degree and professional qualification or just professional qualification. Compliance of the study programme with the strategy of the Republic of Latvia and RSU. 1) Second level professional higher education Bachelor's study programme Social Work (code 42762) Table 1. Structure of the study programme. RSU Full-time studies Part-time studies Study duration 4 years 4.5 years Volume of the study programme 160 CP / 240 ECTS 160 CP / 240 ECTS Number of credit points per year 40 CP / 60 ECTS 32 CP / 48 ECTS Profession standard II level higher professional education General education study courses 20 CP / 30 ECTS 20 CP / 30 ECTS General skills Field-specific theoretic and information 36 CP / 54 ECTS 36 CP / 54 ECTS General skills in the field technology study courses Field-specific professional specialization courses Practical training 60 CP / 90 ECTS 26 CP / 39 ECTS 60 CP / 90 ECTS 26 CP / 39 ECTS Specific skills in the profession Elective study courses for the Bachelor's 6 CP / 9 ECTS 6 CP / 9 ECTS programme National examination, including the 12 CP / 18 ECTS 12 CP / 18 ECTS preparation and defence of the Bachelor's thesis Degree awarded Professional Bachelor's degree in Social Work Professional Bachelor's degree in Social Work Qualification Social worker Social worker 5th qualification level 12

13 2) Second level professional higher education Master's study programme Social Work Table 2. Structure of the study programme. Study duration: 1.5 years Volume of the study programme: 60 CP / 90 ECTS Number of credit points per year: 40 C /6 ECTS CP ECTS Study courses that ensure the acquisition of latest developments in theory and practice relevant to the field Research, creative work, planning work and management courses 6 9 Pedagogy and psychology courses 4 6 Practical training 8 12 National examination, including the preparation and defence of the Master's thesis In total 0 0 Degree awarded: Professional Master's degree in Social Work Qualification: Social worker 13

14 Second level professional higher education international Master's study programme Social Work with Children and Youth Study duration: 1.5 years Volume of the study programme: 60 CP / 90 ECTS Number of credit points per year: 40 C /60 ECTS CP ECTS Study courses that ensure the acquisition of latest developments in theory and practice relevant to the field Elective courses 8 12 Practical training / Scientific research practical training 4 6 State examination, including the preparation and defence of the Master's thesis In total Degree awarded: Professional Master's degree in Social Work Qualification: Social worker The perspective taken by the RSU Social Welfare study direction and the corresponding study programmes results both from international strategic documents, state strategic planning documents, including the document "Guidelines for development of professional social work for the years ", as well as the RSU Strategy for : "To prepare high quality specialists in the field of health care and social sciences for Europe and the world, so that the knowledge, skills, competence and attitude obtained during studies would correspond to the highest EU requirements and humanistic traditions and that they would create a stable basis for life-long learning. The development goals of Rīga Stradiņš University is based on a vision, mission and the basic values of the university, namely: (1) the human being, (2) teamwork, (3) results, (4) loyalty". Study programmes have been created, are developed and implemented on the basis of the Law on Institutions of Higher Education, the Latvian Cabinet of Ministers "Regulations regarding the second level professional higher education state standard", the Social worker profession standard, and other laws and regulations in force in the Republic of Latvia, as well as taking into account the principles for creating the higher education space for Europe: - The content, volume and implementation forms of the study programme are comparable to similar study programmes in other EU countries; - The results of the study programme and individual study courses are formulated according to the framework structure of Latvian 14

15 qualifications, etc. 6. The list of academic staff involved in the implementation of the study direction, specifying their qualification and duties, including the study programme and the part of it, in which each of them works. 1. Research activities of the academic staff involved in the implementation of the study direction and its influence on the study work, involvement of students in research projects, as well as participation in international projects, as well as projects funded by the Latvian Council of Science and other institutions during the reporting period. The scientific research work of the lecturers involved in the Social Work Master's study programme corresponds to the RSU scientific research strategic priority "Social, economic, legal and medical problems of globalization". (See ) According to the specifics and development interests of the study direction, the scientific research fields of the RSU Department of Social Work are social policy, welfare and social work. The scientific research work is oriented in several thematic directions: Social policy, development of social services and quality management; Issues of the social worker professional development: the interaction of education, research and practice; Social work with various social work target groups; Social work with the family; Social work in the health care environment; The methodological problems of social work research. The full-time teaching staff of the Department of Welfare and Social Work who are involved in the implementation of study programmes are also involved in several international projects: 2. The International cooperation project ESF - OPVK 2. 3 Development and support of the multidisciplinary research team at the University of Hradec Králové concerned with contemporary family" is being continued (Confirmed on planned for completion in 2015). The lecturers of the Department are involved in a comparative study in the thematic group: "Lifestyle of the modern family" (development of methodology and conducting the study) - in the academic year 2013/2014 data was collected on 450 Latvian families. 3. The study Management skills in social work across the Baltic States (Managementkompetenzen in der Sozialen Arbeit in den Ländern des Baltikums., ) has been completed. Within the framework of this project, the teaching staff of the Department was involved in conducting the study and developing guidelines. 15

16 4. LZP Social Innovations Promoting Active and Healthy Ageing" (INNOVAGE (contract No ) - social innovations that promote active and healthy ageing. 5. Participation in the national research programme "Transformation of national economy, smart growth, management and legal framework for the sustainable development of state and society - new approaches for creating a sustainable knowledge society (EKOSOC-LV, (ministry registration No /13)) 21. Project No 5.2. The trajectories of social and political transformations in Latvia in the post-crisis period: 7th task - to analyse and evaluate the employment opportunities for various groups, particularly young people, and their improvement through training, workshops, pupil practical training and vocational training; ( 8th task - to submit proposals for the development of state and society management, as well as society integration, cohesion and civil participation, in particular the participation of young people). The Department of Welfare and Social Work develops research subjects on the basis of the interests and priorities of employers (the Latvian Ministry of Welfare, local authorities, professional associations, NGOs) that exist in the social welfare field in the country and according to the research directions pursued by the teaching staff. Demand for research has been expressed regarding several social services issues: the legal aspects of social services, availability of services and quality assurance, interdisciplinary and inter-institutional cooperation, adoption of technologies for providing social services, etc. The results of the scientific research of the Department's academic staff are published in local and international conferences, the Department academic readings and various activities for the continuing education and professional qualification improvement of social work specialists. The participation of the teaching staff in international projects positively impacts the study process, as well as the scientific research activities of the students. The research results of MA students have obtained a relatively broad and varied publicity: participation in the RSU annual Scientific conferences; scientific publications co-authored with lecturers - academic advisers; presentations of the research results in the academic readings of the Department of Social Work; presentations of the research results in seminars and various educational activities for professionals. RSU provides opportunities to conduct research (creative work) together with the students and teaching staff of other Latvian and foreign AII study programmes. The RSU Department of Social Work cooperates with the Social Pedagogy Department of the Hradec Králové University (Czech Republic). A common topic of interest for both departments is Family studies: development and support to contemporary family. On the basis of this cooperation the RSU Department of Social Work students have the opportunity to conduct their research in the Czech Republic as well. The 4th course student Laura Leikuma developed and defended her Bachelor's thesis "Comparative practice for the street social work with children in Latvia and the Czech Republic". 16

17 12. The list of scientific publications and study literature prepared by the academic staff involved in the implementation of the study direction during the reporting period (2013). 1. International Master s study programme "Social Work with Children and Youth" has been prepared for licencing (invilved academic staff: L.Vilka, M. Smirnova, S. Poiša, I. Razgale, A. Vilks) 2. Proceedings of Rīga Stradiņš University 4th International Scientific Conference "SOCIETY, HEALTH. WELFARE" have been prepared for publishing and published. ( A. Vilka, L. Vilka) 3. Vilka, L., Razgale, I., Smirnova, M. with partners from Lithuania, Estonia and Germany. (2013) «Management Competencies in Social Work across the Baltic States» 4. Vilka, L. ( ) Referāts Izaicinājumi ģimenei pārmaiņu sabiedrībā. Tiesībsarga konference: Efektīvs SD ar ģimeni problēmas un risinājumi. Rīgā 5. Vilka, L. Jauno psihoaktīvo vielu prevences pedagoģiskās pieejas. Seminārs ( ) Jauno psihoaktīvo vielu prevences jaunās iespējas, RSU Valpētere, L. Vilka, L. Dzīves vajadzību nodrošināšana personām pēc atbrīvošanās no ieslodzījuma. RSU Zinātniskā konference, , Rīga. 7. Bērzina,M. Vilka, L. «Sociālā darba pakalpojums stacionārajā ārstniecības iestādē». Tēzes. RSU Zinātniskā konference, , Rīga. 8. Razgale, I., Krūmiņa, G. «Riska ģimenes vecāku dzīves prasmju novērtēšana sociālā darba praksē. Tēzes. RSU Zinātniskā konference, , Rīga. 9. Vilks, A. (2013) Politiskā pūļa latvietis. Rīga, N.I.M.S., Meļķe, J. Vilks, A. «Starppaudžu saišu nozīme ģimenē». Tēzes. RSU Zinātniskā konference, , Rīga. 11. Pūķe, J. Vilks, A. Pagaidu darbu nozīme ilgstoša bezdarbnieka darbaspēka vērtības paaugstināšanā». Tēzes. RSU Zinātniskā konference, , Rīga. 7. The list of departments (for example, departments, groups of professors, laboratories, institutes) involved in the implementation of the study direction, specifying their tasks for the implementation of the study direction and specific study programmes. The implementation of the study direction Social Welfare study programme involves: The Department of Welfare and Social Work that ensures the theory basic courses and the professional specialization courses for the social work field, as well as is responsible for the correspondence of the study programmes to requirements, for the study process quality and for obtaining the study results. 17

18 Department of Rehabilitation, Department of Infectology, Department of Psychosomatic Medicine, Department of Psychiatry and Narcology, that ensure the acquisition of the necessary medical knowledge in the field of social work. The Department of Physics ensures the acquisition of information technologies and their application for research and social work practical training. The Language Centre ensures the acquisition of terminology in foreign languages. 8. Description of the educational support staff required for the implementation of the study direction, specifying their tasks in the implementation of the study direction and certain study programmes. The teaching auxiliary personnel (support personnel) involved for the implementation and development of the study direction in the Department of Social Work during the 2013/2014 academic year: Office manager 0.4 workload (since 1 July full-time workload), specialist in study issues - full-time workload. The main duties of the office manager are connected with ensuring document exchange, including the preparation of contracts with the teaching staff. The specialist in study issues cooperates with the teaching staff and the students in planning and organizing the study process, conducts student surveys, ensures the preparation of documents related to the study process. However, it should be noted that several other RSU structural units are involved in the implementation of the study direction. Therefore in practice the study direction is also supported by the auxiliary teaching personnel of the involved structural units. I. Information on public relations: a. Cooperation with employers, professional organizations; Cooperation with employers is one of the most important external communications aspects. 1) Cooperation with the leading institutions (Ministry of Welfare, the Saeima Social and Employment Affairs Commission, professional associations, etc.) regarding issues of the social work sector and education development: The Department is represented in the Social Work Specialist Cooperation Council of the Ministry of Welfare. Activities have been carried out in cooperation with the leading institutions (Ministry of Welfare, the Saeima Social and Employment Affairs Commission, professional associations, etc.) regarding issues of the social work sector and education development To promote interest in the professional of the social worker and the social work study programme in the RSU, several public activities have been conducted, including: 1) qualification improvement seminar "The pedagogy of adventure" (in cooperation with RSU Faculty of Continuing Education). 2) Academic readings in the regional local authorities, social services: The Ogre Social Service Social work with the family /L. Vilka/ 18

19 SAc Jelgava Ethics in Social Work /L. Vilka/ 3) Activities for recruiting students in the Culture School of the Ogre State Gymnasium 2) The students are encouraged to become involved in voluntary work in various organizations (the centre "Abeļzieds", "Drošā māja", "Māras centrs", voluntary student and teacher cooperation project with the international auditor company KPMG in the Rauda special boarding school 3) The project for collecting data on the workplaces of the graduates and visiting graduates "Visiting the graduate: the experience of best practice" begun in the 2012/2013 academic year has been continued. b. Collaboration with Latvian and foreign universities and colleges that implement similar study directions and similar study programmes; The teaching staff of the Department are also involved in the work of other higher education institutions/colleges as teachers ( M. Moors, I. Razgale, A. Vilks, L. Vilka, M. Smirnova, O. Brūvers). Since 2011 the Department of Social Work is also a member of the European Association of Schools for Social Work (EASSW). This expands opportunities for international cooperation. The existing international contacts, as well as the participation in EASSW ensures productive partnerships and gives a real contribution for achieving study results and the mobility of the academic personnel and the students. In cooperation with the Lithuanian Mykolas Romeris University the international study programme Social Work with Children and Youth" has been started (See also Article 8. Cooperation in Latvia and abroad within the framework of the respective study direction). c. Students, who have studied abroad within the framework of student exchange programmes, indicating the exchange programme and country; Country Higher education institution Programme Number of students The Netherlands University of Saxony ERASMUS 2 Slovenia Ljubljana University ERASMUS The total number of international students in the study direction, as well as by study programmes, indicating the duration of 19

20 studies and the country. During the reporting period the study programme has not had permanent international students, with the exception of the students from the ERASMUS student mobility programme. Country Higher education institution Programme Number of students Spain Universidad Complutense de Madrid ERASMUS 1 Slovakia Ruzhomberoka Catholic University ERASMUS 1 9. Summary on the study direction development plans. Prospective assessment of the study direction and study programmes, taking into account the tasks of Latvia for implementation of the common EU strategies: a. Compliance of the study programmes with the requirements of laws and regulations, as well as the recommendations for creation of the European Higher Education Area; For the development of study programmes according to the specifics of the social work field, the Global Standards of the International Federation of Social Workers (IFSW) for social work in education and practice were used, as well as the guidelines prepared by the International Association of Clinical Social Workers for the field of clinical social workers. In future development of the study direction, a significant role is and will be played by the guidelines for social worker education and practice of the international document Global Agenda for Social Work and Social Development, b. Information provided by the employers and professional organizations regarding the student employment opportunities for at least the next six years. The necessity for social workers in the country is clearly defined in the strategic document "Guidelines for the development of professional social work ". (On 20 June 2013 the project of the guidelines was announced in the meeting of state secretaries, minutes No 24, Paragraph 27, VSS ; on 7 October 2013, the project of the guidelines was sent for five day harmonization prior to submission to the Cabinet of Ministers; on 11 October 2013 the opinion of the Ministry of Education and Science was received, stating that there are no objections for further development of the project for the achievement of the planned goals regarding the provision of social work education). Currently the criterion defined in the Social Services and Social Assistance Law regarding the number of social work specialists in social services in proportion to the number of residents in the municipality in 2012 was fulfilled only by 58%, while in by 64%. At the same time not all of the social work specialists working in social services have obtained the qualification defined in the Social Services and Social Assistance Law, for example, in 2012 such specialists (with insufficient qualification) made up 13%. In order to ensure the fulfilment of the 20

21 requirements defined in laws and regulations regarding the number of qualified social work specialists by 2020, as well as to ensure sustainable development of professional social work, it is necessary to enrol 205 students in the first course every year, including 150 in the main studies, 50 Master's students and 5 doctoral students who would be provided state budget funded studies in the subsequent study process (up to the obtaining of the corresponding qualification or degree). (A letter signed by the state secretary I. Jaunzeme ( No 58) to the Higher Education Council, Rīga Stradiņš University and other education institutions that provide education in the social work field.) In the letter of the state secretary I. Jaunzeme ( to the Higher Education Council the necessity for social workers is repeatedly confirmed, identifying their important role in implementing the social policy in the country. Head of the study direction: Date: Lolita Vilka Signature, full name 21