The course objective is that students get first-hand experience of professional work, the methods of social work and their background theories, and that they are able to act according to the ethical principles of social work. Students adopt a critical, inquiry-based and reflective approach. The course strengthens the development of students’ personal professional identity.

After completing the course, the students will have practised an open and respectful attitude toward cultural and other types of diversity in encounters. They are able to work with clients with different backgrounds based on a dialogical, reciprocal orientation. The course also teaches them to support and promote the development of clients’ own agency. Students have adopted a collaborative way of working with clients, their networks and other professionals, and are able to identify and appropriately utilise different types of information in practical social work.                     

The course includes a total of 200 hours of study in a separately agreed social work unit, which is either one of Heikki Waris Institute’s Praxis work units or another unit. This study is supervised by the social worker who acts as practice teacher. The modes of study include work in small groups, seminars and written assignments based on literature and practice.