Forming students’ professional legal competency in the context of european universities’ experience - Статья

FORMING STUDENTS’ PROFESSIONAL LEGAL COMPETENCY IN THE CONTEXT OF EUROPEAN UNIVERSITIES’ EXPERIENCE Postgraduate Student, SERGIY YASHCHUK National University of Life and Environmental Sciences of Ukraine Address: 16-a Heroyiv Oborony St., Kyiv, 03041, Ukraine ABSTRACT The article deals with theoretical analysis of the educational process in European higher education institutions in the context offorming future social workers’ professional legal competency. Based on the study of scientific and reference sources the author has defined the peculiarities of the educational process in the most popular higher education institutions of European Union, offering Bachelor’s and Master’s degrees in Social Work, namely, social and technical division of labour based on the interdisciplinary relations (theoretical and practical learning, pre-professional research constituent during placements); stipulating for a less ethnocentric understanding of social problems; training of a social worker able to skillfully provide individuals, families, organizations and communities with social support to achieve optimal social functioning in a society; analysis of aims and objectives of modern social work in the local and global context ofpromoting human rights and social justice; application of social work methods with a focus on client participation in the process of changing; reflection of learning and professional experience and independent learning to develop professional skills of a social worker; obtaining specialization in social programmes and projects management aimed at optimizing social integration of social risk groups, such as the disabled, and supporting individuals, groups and communities (to help realize one’s potential, achieve social and economic justice, prevent one’s dysfunctions); accordance of doctrinal and operative education standards that reflect a modern approach to social work - an applied social science with various principles, values, theory and practice methodology. Key words: social work, social worker, legal competency, social science, social problems, human rights, social justice, social risk groups. INTRODUCTION In the European Union Masters in Social Work can conduct researches on social work; analyze aims and objectives of modern social work in the local and global context promoting human rights and social justice (Ящук, 2012); reflect the integrity of theory, practice and ethics in social work; critically evaluate the interrelation between social policy, social structures and resources and social projects design (Журавська, 2010); critically analyze the interaction between a social worker and a client and perform interventions in complicated situations; apply social work methods and emphasize client participation in the process of changing; understand the principles, methods and limitations of employees’ social activities in organizations and communities; reflect learning and professional experience and continue independent learning to develop professional skills of a social worker (Капська, 2011).