Fieldwork Education in Social Work in Italy

This chapter will provide an overview of the state of the art of field education in Italy’s current university system on the basis of a review of the literature, the findings of recent empiricalresearch, and analysis of information provided on the websites of 37 social work degree programmes now offered at Italian universities. The differences between these programmes will also be discussed. We will focus on a number of key aspects: the recognition of field education as an instructional method and its visibility; the teaching methods and tools used to build skills bridging theory and practice in different degree programmes; the need to supervise the learning process during field education, thus, guaranteeing that the field experience adheres to shared educational goals at all times; the relationship between the university and the world of the agencies where the social work profession operates. In this connection, the chapter will present several innovative initiatives involving new areas of action where social work’s potential can come to fruition.