Social pathways, life-long learning and professional pratices of social workers

Vieira, Ricardo; Margarido, Cristóvão

http://hdl.handle.net/10400.8/522

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Authors

Vieira, Ricardo

Margarido, Cristóvão

Abstract(s)

This article focuses on the comprehension (Weber, 2004) of the process of the Social Workers´ identity and professional (re) construction. We assume that the training and practice of a profession are nurtured, not only by theoretical reference frames resulting from formal education which vary depending on space (the curricula of each institution and teaching method) and time (history of Social Work), but also by reflection from life-long learning and professional practices As Craig Lecroy (2002) emphasizes “Social work is, for many, a way to transform themselves, others and the community. Thus, much can be learnt by understanding the life and the work of social workers.” (Lecroy,2002:2) That is why we prefer to talk about the identity of the professionals of Social Work instead talking about the identity of the profession. Each professional is the product of learning and practice from life at school and school of life, as we will show with the voices of social Workers interviews. This research learn how important is to change the training of Social Workers from additive formation to reflexive formation supported on a biographical research and education.