BASIC DISCIPLINES IN THE TRAINING OF SOCIAL WORKERS FOR THE WORK WITH «AT RISK CHILDREN» IN GREAT BRITAIN

The author of the article has disclosed the content of the courses, which are basic for the training of social workers with children «at risk» in the Great Britain. British scientists point out the importance and necessity of studying of the following subjects: «Communication with children and youth», «Child development (psychological, mental and physical)», «Society, family and social policy», «Assessment of parents behaviour», «Support of familie», «Planning and process of care», «Working with children with special needs and their families», «Legal aspects of social work with juvenile offenders», «Child abuse», «Social work with children and families». Examples are given from the practice perspective by which students can demonstrate practical knowledge and skills derived after studying the above mentioned disciplines. While training social workers acquire specific skills to assist people with life's difficulties, in particular, to apply theoretical knowledge in practice; listen and watch; communicate and build relationships; prepare reports for the court; to form judgments and make decisions; to find resources; to represent clients and to help them defend their rights; to deal with people who may be in stress, being unable to express clearly their needs; identify the signs of risk and the degree of risk; to assess the need for practical assistance; organize and involve other professionals in each case; to exercise legislation; to give clients the opportunity to solve their own problems; to cooperate with parents, carers, foster-carers, other professionals and social services to protect «adults and children at risk»; to develop together with other professionals such social security scheme which would provide problem individuals to remain in the society / community as long as possible; to help clients to plan their future etc. Thus, all students who undergo training on «social work» are expected to have a good knowledge of the problem of human development, to be able to use them in assessing the needs of the child, to understand the importance of issues of race, culture and language development. In addition, the ability to observe is to be the part of disciplines within the training programme. Future social workers should have extensive knowledge on the formulation and application of social policy and its impact on children and families, are to have a basic knowledge of child protection and child opportunities to recognize the child abuse.