engleski

Education for Family Mediators: experiences from postgraduate social work study in Croatia

Postgraduate social work study in family mediation has been established in 2012 at University of Zagreb, Faculty of Law, Department of Social Work. Teaching has been based on understanding family mediation as a helping and social intervention, which can be used in all family disputable relations, aiming to facilitate negotiation in disputes and family reorganizations, prevention of highly- conflicted divorce and negative aspects of family conflicts on children. Since now 57 students have been studying, mainly social work professionals practising in social welfare system or child and family civil organizations. Studying consists of ten major and seven elective courses over 2 years, including final theses. Program is offering 270 teaching hours (150 theoretical and 120 practical work, seminar and supervision) and 120 ECTS credits. Postgraduate competences and learning outcomes will be presented. Strong emphasis has been given to practising family mediation, integration of knowledge (conflict analysis, understanding of family system) and skills development through practicum courses and group educative supervision. Model of teaching practical skills in family mediation will be presented, consisting of various methods and techniques (e.g. fishbowls, video-filming, written assignment, portfolio following field work consisting of minimum 4 completed cases - with self-evaluation, family conflict analyses, individual feedback from other students –co mediators and teachers, etc.). The evaluations showed that this study enhance overall professional competencies of students which they use in their social work practice (using gained knowledge and skills in communication and negotiation in everyday work) and their interest in reflective practice, supervision and life- long learning. Evaluations of postgraduate studies will be discussed concerning the effect on social work practise in general – widening the scope of interventions used in family work and in terms of values focused on empowerment of users and promoting their active role and responsibility for effective family relations and quality of life.

family mediation, social work education, postgraduate studies

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