Reflection of Continuing Education and Professional Development of Social Workers in Slovakia and the Czech Republic

Andrej Matel, Bohuslav Kuzysin, Milan Schavel

Abstract
OBJECTIVES: The aim of this paper is to analyse the theoretical concepts of continuing learning and the professional development of social workers, empirically verify the real experience and views of Slovak and Czech social workers with continuing education. THEORETICAL BASE: Theoretical base lie in analysing the system of continuing education of social workers in selected countries, with particular emphasis on the Slovak and Czech Republic. METHODS: Methods of research are based on a quantitative strategy with descriptive character. By through a structured questionnaire there are surveyed experiences of social workers with continuing education, as well as their views on the content, institutional and systemic conditions for the realization of continuing professional development. OUTCOMES: Contribution presents the diagnostic findings about subjective perception of satisfaction of social workers with regard to preparation for practice, their reflection on participation in continuing education, obstacles that prevent them to it. SOCIAL WORK IMPLICATIONS: Analysis and comparison of research findings with the current system of continuing education and professional development of Slovak and Czech social workers create the preconditions to outline the perspective of its improvement.

Keywords
education, continuing education, lifelong learning, professional development, social worker

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