The Study Course in Social Work provides skills and knowledge that enable the social worker to carry out his/her activity within the organised system of social resources, acting according to the principles, skills and methods specific to the profession. The social worker is a professional who operates with technical-professional autonomy and judgement in all phases of intervention for the prevention, support and recovery of individuals, families, groups and communities in situations of need and distress and can carry out educational-training activities. The profession of social worker may be exercised on a self-employed or employed basis.

To be admitted to the degree course in Social Work, an upper secondary school diploma (five years) or a recognised foreign qualification is required. Furthermore, knowledge of the general aspects of contemporary social organisation is required, with reference to the Italian case within the European context; knowledge of the basics of social legislation, an adequate ability to understand texts and a good level of written and oral expression.
To this end, the faculty offers introductory courses aimed at providing and, at the same time, testing the possession of such knowledge.

The social worker can work in various sectors and institutions, both public and private.
1. Social and health integration bodies, including:
2. Consultants,
3. Multidisciplinary Units for the Age of Development (UMEE) and Multidisciplinary Units for the Age of Adulthood Disability (UMEA),
4. Departments of Mental Health (DSM),
5. Drug addiction service,
6. District and Geriatric Evaluation Units (UVD and UVG),
7. Local Health Authorities, Hospital Authorities;
8. Resocialisation institutions:
9. C.T.U. at the Juvenile Court;
10. Ministry of Justice (Office of Juvenile Social Services -USSM- and Adult Social Service -UEPE-)
11. Host communities
12. Prison Administration
13. Local authorities;
14. Ministry of the Interior/Prefecture, etc.
15. Region, Province, Municipality and other local authorities
16. Residential and semi-residential facilities for the elderly, adults, the disabled and minors,
17. Third Sector (or Social Private) organisations, cooperatives, foundations, associations, social enterprises, social centres
18. Self-employed (including as a researcher in his own right, associated or contracted with public and private social research and social service organisations)
19. Job Centres (employment of disadvantaged people).

The final examination consists of the presentation by the student of a written paper, agreed upon with a lecturer (rapporteur) pertaining to the disciplinary scientific field in the student's curriculum.

No

"Di Ateneo" - Single university degree (Final award of the degree issued by the University of Salento)

President of the Course: Professor Irene Strazzeri,
email: irene.strazzeri@unisalento.it