The Need for Further Specialized Education of Social Workers

Further education is an integral part of the performance of social workers. This thesis aims to map the attitude of social workers towards the need for further education within the specialization. This bachelor thesis uses a qualitative research strategy and the questioning method for data collection, i.e., a semi-structured interview. We used an open-coding process for data assessment. After the open coding process, we created the categories. The research sample consisted of social workers practicing in a relief service primarily designated for people with mental disabilities or those with combined disabilities where mental disability appears as associated health impairment, within the South Bohemian region. The research showed that all communication partners were supported in further education in at least the statutory 24 hours of further compulsory education per year. The importance of educational activities is perceived primarily in up-to-date information, establishing new contacts, personal development, and increasing the quality of the services or mental hygiene. Social workers' most frequently completed educational activities working with mentally disabled adults in the relief service include the Sexuality of people with disabilities or Restrictive measures and education focused on communication with clients. The research results provide insight into the further education of social workers and can serve as feedback to the organizations where the research was conducted