Their professional practices must be based on equality and respect for the integrity of the individual, and respect for the views and wishes of the clients.

The child welfare worker should have expertise that is built upon the relationship between theory and practical training throughout the programme, and should have developed the ability to apply theoretical knowledge to practical work.

The programme will provide students with skills in dealing with the conditions in a multicultural society that can help and hinder children and adolescents in their development. The programme emphasises preventative community and activity work, communication with people from diverse ethnic, religious and cultural backgrounds and understanding of child welfare efforts in relation to cultural diversity.

Our objective is to educate reflective professionals to work with children, adolescents and their families/carers on the individual, group and social levels in a multicultural society. Child welfare workers must be able to help vulnerable children and adolescents to achieve secure growth conditions regardless of their cultural and social backgrounds. Emphasis is placed on helping students to become effective professionals with insight into the developmental processes, growth environments and challenges of a multicultural society.

 

Career opportunities/Further studies

The programme is relevant to all preventative efforts aimed at children and adolescents in the cultural, leisure, pre-school and school sectors, as well as in other areas where competence related to children’s development and growth environments is emphasised. Child welfare workers possess specialised competence in the methodical initiatives employed in work with children and their families/carers in local and national child welfare programmes.

The programme provides the basis for admission to various Master’s degree programmes, and graduates may apply for enrolment in the Master’s degree in Multicultural Preventative Care of Children and Adolescents at Telemark University College.