Abstract:

The article provides the current state of knowledge in the field of social pedagogy with regard to the application of social pedagogues in education in the Czech educational system. Currently, the position of social pedagogue is not legislatively established. However, problems are increasing significantly in schools, which requires early intervention There is a deterioration in the mental health of pupils, a socioeconomic crisis in families, frequent risky behaviour, disinterest in education, and other socially pathological phenomena that have a significant negative impact on a child's healthy development and academic performance. Social pedagogues can help with these issues.

In our research we focused on the needs of elementary schools in the Czech Republic in the context of the introduction the position of a social pedagogue. We identified the most common obstacles to the implementation of the position and focused on the discrepancy in which directors stated that they do not need the position, while the current needs of the schools corresponded to the activities of a social pedagogue. The data obtained will serve as a basis for the legislative anchoring of the position of social pedagogue among pedagogical workers in the Czech educational system.

Keywords:

Social pedagogy, social pedagogue, school counselling, pupils with special needs, risky behaviour, social prevention, quantitative research.