Social Work Goals in the Context of Their Weak Institutional Anchoring

Olga Hubikova, Jana Havlikova, Robert Trbola

Abstract
OBJECTIVES: The paper focuses on who or what determines or influences social work goals in the environment where the field of social work itself lacks its own institutional framework supporting its independent goals. THEORETICAL BASE: The conceptual basis is the perspective on social work as a social institution defined through consensus on its own set of goals and on the regular ways of how to reach them. This consensus is the common denominator of the institutionalisation and professionalism of social work. METHODS: The findings are based on a thematic analysis of semi-structured expert interviews with representatives of a purposive sample of management and regulatory bodies and bodies of guidance, as well as different umbrella organizations influencing the performance of social work in various spheres. OUTCOMES: Due to insufficient institutionalisation of Czech social work, there is a high susceptibility of goal shifting or loss, as well as displacement of independent social work goals by those of different provinces, fields, or organizations, some of which can pursue interests that are difficult to reconcile with social work or even contradictory to it. SOCIAL WORK IMPLICATIONS: The results serve as arguments for resumption and consolidation of the endeavour to set up comprehensive and mandatory regulations for social work in the Czech Republic.

Keywords
social work goals, institutionalisation of social work, standards of social work, social work association, social work law

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