Reflection of Social Workers to Adopt the Act on Social Work and the Establishment of a Professional Chamber

Abstract

The development of Social Work in Slovakia has its specificities influenced by the historical development of the country through the socio-political changes that date back to 1989. Subsequently, with changes in the economic and social sphere, Social Work develops dynamically first as a practical activity and later in the years 1992-1996, also as a separate study field at the level of University Education. Applying graduates and the legislative environment, which required particularly in state administration educated staff at the Master‘s level of education, have influenced the strong dynamics of the development of the study branch of Social Work. The number of graduates has since 2005 been recorded by up to 15,000 graduates per year. The problem, which has been politically motivated was the application of Graduates in Social Practice, where up until 2014 it was declared, that the position of Social Workers and the pursuit of Social Work can be secured by Graduates with University Education. This fact significantly affected the possibilities of employing Graduates of Social Work, especially in the area of Social Services and in the area of state administration within the Sector of Labor, Social Affairs and Family. Significant turnover was through the adoption of the Law on Social Work and the establishment of a Chamber of Social Workers and Assistants of Social Work as a Professional Association. The mediated information in this contribution can help deeper insight into the genesis of the Law.