Abstract:

This article presents the essence of social work in an educational environment. The key competencies included in the professional profile of the school social worker are considered. The main professional functions related to the practice and the provision of an optimal favorable educational environment are covered. The main goal of the development and integration of social work in the school environment is to achieve the best possible agreement and coordination between the family, the school and state and public authorities.

School social workers perform a variety of activities and their work in schools is multifaceted – from research and collection of information about children, through consulting and counseling, risk assessment, working with vulnerable groups until the implementation of specific measures, and often crisis interventions. In addition, the school social worker acts as an intermediary and works with students and their close friends, as well as with parents, pedagogical and administrative staff, school psychologists, speech therapists, resource teachers, and others. Good practices allow social workers to provide direct support and assistance in dealing with academic, social, and emotional issues.

This report examines the practical standards and guidelines that provide criteria and describe the services that school social workers provide. The aim of the study is to outline a conceptual framework in defining and analyzing the role and functions of the social worker, as well as to emphasize the need for integration of social work in the educational environment in Bulgaria. At present in our country the idea of social work in school is legitimized in the Law on Preschool and School Education, but it is still not widespread, both in terms of professional realization and in the direction of creating a single standard in the training of specialists.

Keywords:

School social work, social work with children, social support in a school environment.