Faculty of Social Work
Faculty of Social Work (University of Ljubljana) is the only social work higher education establishment in Slovenia. By its education process and the practice of social work, the Faculty of Social Work aims for the development and dissemination of theoretical concepts, models and methods of social work which would contribute to the establishment and maintenance of fundamental social values and goals such as: provision of the quality of life for individuals, families and groups of the population; social justice, human dignity and equal opportunities; promotion of solidarity and social integration, prevention of poverty and social exclusion.Since its establishment in 1955, the Faculty has represented a pillar (in some periods the only one) of the development of the Slovenian social work, and the field of social care in general. It has developed a high level of teaching, mainly based on its own scientific and research activities as well as good knowledge of international trends. The Faculty has been the carrier and initiator of a large number of innovations, without which it would be hard to imagine social work in Slovenia. It has developed forms and methods of work that represent the basis of contemporary social work in our country: counseling, group work, community work, street work, and work with families etc. It has established the foundations of voluntary work, action research and qualitative research which has not only influenced the social work field but also played an important role in Slovenian social sciences more generally. It has developed special fields such as working with youth, the elderly, women, people in mental distress, with a physical handicap, ethnic minorities etc. It has also made a great contribution to the development of concepts and innovative solutions in the field of social care (for instance, social first aid, home help, group homes, safe houses etc.). Faculty have experiences with inclusion of users in education processes and planning. With its activities - practical teaching, training, research and development projects, and publishing - the Faculty co-operates with numerous associations and non-governmental organisations. Their members, professionals and experts by experience are included in Faculty’s programmes as co-teachers, and the Faculty staff participates in the work of these associations as consultants and councillors, lecturers etc. Some associations use Faculty’s premises and other facilities for some of their activities.
User Organisations
Društvo SVIZCI - Uporabniško društvo za duševno zdravje (Association Svizci – User Association for mental health). FB: https://www.facebook.com/svizci/.
Društvo za pomoč in samopomoč pri spoprijemanju z izkušnjo slišanja glasov in drugih zaznav (The association Hearing voices Slovenia) is a NGO in the field of community mental health. The scope of activities is organizing and promoting peer-supported activities (especially regarding hearing voices and other related experiences) related to mental health incommunity. FB: https://www.facebook.com/slisanjeglasov/; website: https://www.slisanjeglasov.si/index.html.
Društvo Bp-Društvo za pomoč, izobraževanje in raziskave pri Bipolarni motnji (Association for people with bipolar disorders).
DAM - Društvo za pomoč osebam z depresijo in anksioznimi motnjami (Association for helping people with depression and anxiety disorders); website: http://www.nebojse.si/portal/index.php
Training Resources
Faculty of social work is running undergraduate and graduate (MA) community mental health study programmes and doctorate programmes. Besides this, we offer additional training for practitioners of various professional background.
Members of the faculty are engaged as directors of courses in the School for Social Work Theory and Practice at the Inter-University Centre (IUC) in Dubrovnik. In 2019 we celebrated 30 years of social work courses at the school where teachers of social work, post-graduate students and social work practitioners as well as users meet annually to engage in the dialogue on social work praxis (website: https://www.iuc.hr/index.php).
Internet Links
NGOs
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drustvonoviparadoks.weebly.com/
Past Research and development projects
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2005–2007 EX-IN – Experienced Involvement (Leonardo da Vinci). EU- Commission of the European Communities.
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2005–2010 – EMILIA - Empowerment of Mental Illness Service Users: Lifelong Learning, Integration and Action. EU: Commission of the European Communities, 6th FP.
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2005–2013 – Establishing Social Work Education in University of Colombo, Faculty of Arts.
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2006 –2008 – Evaluation of deinstitutionalization processes in special institutions in Slovenia (Ministry of Science and Ministry for Labour, family and social affairs Slovenia).
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2006–2008 – Forms of accommodation and support for people with long-term needs in
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2007–2009 – An analysis and estimate of needs concerning social welfare services and feasibility of population’s self-help in case of natural or other disasters in the region of the commune of Ljubljana (Municipality of Ljubljana).
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2008 –2009 - Formal and professional frameworks for implementation of the Mental Health Act (Ministry for Labour, family and social affairs Slovenia).
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2008–2010 - The Prevalence of and Response to Violence in Domestic Sphere and Intimate Partnerships in Slovenia.
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2008–2013 - Promoting Mental Health Minimising mental illness and Integrating Social Inclusion through Education - PROMISE. EU: Commission of the European Communities: Second programme of community action in the field of health.
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2009–2011 – Monitoring the introduction of the statutory advocates into the practice
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2010– Deinstitutionalization of long-term mental health institution in Albania (training in place of the staff of residential homes in Shkodër, Albania), WHO Albania.
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2011–2013 – Empowering women & providers: Domestic Violence (DV) and Mental Health (JUST/2009/DAP3/AG/1082).
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2012–2015 – Enhancing the Position of Residents in Residential Care Institutions for Persons with Mental Disability and Mental Illness and Creation of Conditions for their Social Inclusion In the Local Community. Lead: Otvoreni zagrljaj – HIFAB, Beograd (evropski projekt ustvarjanja pogojev za dezinstitucionalizacijo, št projekta: C-299893; DAC-CRS Sector code 15100 – Government and Civil Society; Additional DAC-CRS code 15160 – Human Rights).
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2013–2015 – »Access to justice for children with mental disabilities” (DG JUSTICE, 2013–2015, JUST/2011-2012/FRC/AG).
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2015– Priprava izhodišč deinstitucionalizacije v Republiki Sloveniji (The study of a preparation of the basis and a plan for deinstitutionalisation in Slovenia). Univerza v Ljubljani, Fakulteta za socialno delo.
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2016–2017 – Inovativne oblike oskrbe v domovih starejših občanov (Innovative forms of long-term care in old people's homes). Funded by: 2017.
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2017–2018 - Technical assistance support for the deinstitutionalization process in social sector. Alternative Consulting: A. E. S. A. Consortium.
Contact Information
Faculty of Social Work
University of Ljubljana
Topniska 31
1000 Ljubljana
Slovenia
+386 1 2809240
+386 1 2809270
Contact person
Mojca Urek
Ph.D / Associate Professor
+ 386 (0)1 2809248
Current research and development projects
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2017–2020 – Best practices for Care and Wellbeing Education to support the needs of LGBT people as they age - BEING ME. Erasmus + Strategic Partnerships.
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2019–2021 - Diversity and childhood (DaC): Changing social attitudes towards gender diversity in children across Europe. EC- JUST/2018/ACTION GRANTS.
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2019–2021 - Strukturna diskriminacija kot ovira pri doseganju cilja dostojnega življenja za vse ( Structural discrimination as the obstacle in achieving the goal of life in dignity for all). Faculty of Social Work and Faculty of Law of University of Ljubljana. Funded by: Advocate of the principle of equality and Slovenian Research Agency.
Last updated: 4.1.2020