Resilience in Social Work Field Education

PUNOVÁ, Monika. Resilience in Social Work Field Education. In Innovation and Resilience: Preparedness of Social Work Education in Uncertain Times. Organized by EASSW and Talinn University. Conference volume (Book of abstracts). 2021. ISBN 978-9949-29-569-2.

Basic information

• Original name: Resilience in Social Work Field Education
• Name in Czech: Podpora odolnosti v praktickém vzdělávání studentů sociální práce
• Authors: PUNOVÁ, Monika.
• Edition: Innovation and Resilience: Preparedness of Social Work Education in Uncertain Times. Organized by EASSW and Talinn University. Conference volume (Book of abstracts). 2021.

Other information

• Original language: English
• Type of outcome: Conference abstract
• Field of Study: 50901 Other social sciences
• Country of publisher: Estonia
• Confidentiality degree: is not subject to a state or trade secret
• WWW: URL
• Organization unit: Faculty of Social Studies
• ISBN: 978-9949-29-569-2
• Keywords in English: Resilience; fieldwork; social work; education.
• Tags: International impact, Reviewed

Abstract

This conference paper focuses on supporting resilience in the field education of social work students. The resiliency concept focuses on finding new ways and new adaptation mechanisms despite challenging conditions. The term “resilience” in field education is a concept that includes dynamic relationships- development processes through which the student can adapt and thus achieve well-being, despite having a difficult life situation in connection with their field practice. We speak about the importance of resilience-building in those settings where interactions between subjects and their environments imply the risk of adversity or where adversity occurs. The conference paper will aim to answer the question: “How to strengthen the resilience of students of social work in field education?” To answer this question, a theoretical analysis is used, specifically the results of international empirical studies that deal with the application of the resilience concept to the education of social work students. The author introduces the principles of the curriculum of practical education of social work students. Students' professional identity cannot fully form only through reflection on literature and attendance of lectures and seminars but needs confrontation with the pitfalls of practice, where the student steps out of the safe space of theoretical teaching and experiences the everyday reality of social workers. For some students, navigating this difficult reality is a touchstone of their professional identity, which needs to go through this strenuous test to be able to rest on the realistic ground. If this shaking of the foundation of professional identity through field education and supervision is not sufficiently reflected in educational curricula, it can affect the student’s personal life and, in extreme cases, lead to the student even choosing a different career. The resilience enhancement should be part of social work education.