Study Guide

Descriptions

The education for Bachelor of Social Services provides skills to meet clients in need of social support in everyday life and crisis. The social worker supports and supervises people of different ages and life situations both in the home environment, in institutions and in open activities. A Bachelor of Social Services can work as a staff or as a leader and has the skills to meet the many challenges of the social field. The aim of the studies is to educate creative, reflective, and conscious professionals, who appreciate their own knowledge and have a strong professional identity.

The Bachelor of Social Services works sustainably and responsibly. As a Bachelor of Social Services, you have the opportunity to influence people's overall well-being, functional capacity and quality of life. The Bachelor of Social Services promotes equality between people and social inclusion and implements social security in a humane and socially just way. The Bachelor of Social Services strengthens people's participation in society and promotes the proper functioning of society. The Agenda for Sustainable Development 2030 has been implemented in the curriculum as competences.

The studies are based on national common areas of competence for polytechnic education in the social field. The areas of competence include ethical knowledge in the social field, knowledge in client work, knowledge of service systems, critical and participatory knowledge of society, development knowledge based on research and leadership skills.

The studies focus mainly on professional social sciences, where students learn different methods of supporting clients. The studies also include courses focusing on the management and development of the social field. Active contact with working life takes place through internships (45 cr) and collaborative projects within the region. Some of the studies can be completed abroad.

A Bachelor of Social Services who has studied at campus Alere in Vaasa has a various insight into the social profession, can work resource-strengthening with individuals and groups in need of support, is collaborative and is prepared for leadership tasks.

The degree may include studies in early childhood education and social pedagogy (60 cr), which entitles to be a social service professional in early childhood education and care or studies in deacon/church education (90 cr), which entitles to deacons or the church's youth supervisor.

Further information

In addition to general evaluation criteria for the courses, further instructions for assessment can be given in the syllabus.

Objective

Competences of bachelor of social services
Ethical competences in the social field
- acts in accordance with human and fundamental rights regulations, social values and professional ethics
- understands the importance of their own human perception and values in customer work
- promotes equality and diversity and acts in ethically justifiably and in a socially sustainable manner in situations involving conflicts of value
- understands cultural diversity and acts in a sensitive manner in interaction situations
- tries to further the status of vulnerable individuals and communities

Competence in social client work
- acts professionally and dialogically in interaction situations and is able to reflect critically on their own actions
- plans, implements and evaluates a client-safe service process, supporting the client's involvement and resources
- supports the growth, development and everyday life of individuals, groups and communities in different life situations and in a goaloriented manner
- identifies and evaluates the risk- and protective factors of well-being, and applies methods of preventive work and early support
- applies and evaluates social guidance work orientations and methods in client, group and community work in different operating environments
- understands the importance of psychosocial support and is able to act in clients’ various changes and crisis situations
- implements and documents client work in a client-oriented way in a digital operating environment, considering information security and protection requirements
- uses a rehabilitative, well-being-promoting and early support work approaches in their operations

Social service system competences
- knows how to structure regional, national and international challenges related to well-being and sustainable development and understands their impact on social, health and education services
- knows the legal framework of the field and operates in accordance with key legislation
- knows the ways, guidance and supervision of organizing and producing social, health and education services in well-being areas, municipalities, the private and third sectors
- understands the principles of social security
- implements comprehensive service guidance and understand the importance of it
- acts as an active social sector expert in the interest of the client in multi-functional network co-operations

Critical and Inclusive Social Skills
- evaluates the significance of social phenomena and power structures and their impact on the ability of individuals, groups and communities to function in society
- analyses structures and processes that produce inequality, disadvantage but also well-being, and prevents marginalization
- knows the operating principles of the public administration decisionmaking system, and is able to act according to them in the best interests of the client
- promotes the inclusion and opportunities for participation of client, client groups and communities, and is capable of social structural advocacy
- promotes self-motivated agency as part of civil society

Research-based development and innovation competence
- is capable of proactive and innovative problem solving in the development of social sector
- develops client-oriented, as well as research and experience knowledge utilizing customer work practices, methods and service processes
- plans, implements and evaluates social sector development projects in co-operation with various actors - applies research, development and innovation methods and produces and analyses data to promote well-being
- acts in research, development and innovation work in accordance with the principles and guidelines of sustainable development and research ethics

Work community, management and entrepreneurship competence
- works in multidisciplinary teams and work communities, and identifies opportunities for regional, national and international networks
- works as a leader and member of the work community in a socially, ethically, ecologically and economically sustainable manner
- knows the key labour legislation and promotes one's own and the work community's well-being at work, as well as occupational safety
- recognizes the importance of self-management and work community
management as part of work management and organization, as well as the development and career planning of one's own expertise
- evaluates the quality and results of work and understands the importance of strategy and financial, information and personnel management in the organization's operations
- demonstrates an entrepreneurial attitude and is familiar with the principles of social enterprise