Collaboration in social work praised: “A model for the future”

“It is very important for a vocational education such as the Social Work Programme to have close ties to the field. At the same time, it is equally important to strengthen research in social work”, says Helena Eriksson, Senior Lecturer in Social Work at Halmstad University.

To facilitate and enable such interaction between theory and practice, the University took the initiative to create a competence platform for social work before the Social Work Programme started in 2020, in response to a very high demand for social workers in Halland’s municipalities.

The purpose of the competence platform is to enable professionals in social work and researchers and students at the University to exchange knowledge and experiences. The basis for the collaboration is collaboration in education, business development and research in the social field. This may include placement in social work, skills development in the organisation or areas where professionals and researchers see the need to develop more knowledge through research and development projects.

Strengthening the link between research and practice

The collaboration within the Competence Platform has developed research, education and practice in social work. For example, research has become more practice-based.

“Through the collaboration, we can discuss research needs and research questions, and it has contributed to development in the field of social work. There are ongoing discussions about doctoral positions that can have one foot in practice and one in academia. We currently have such a doctoral student position in collaboration with the social services in Halmstad municipality. The doctoral students will be important bridge-builders between the University and the municipalities”, says Sara Högdin, Professor of Social Work, who has worked with Helena Eriksson to build the competence platform.

Social work professionals also have the opportunity to meet students regularly during their education, for example in the form of placement and lectures, and by suggesting areas that students can study in certain courses.

“We receive continuous feedback from the professionals who meet our students that the collaboration is stimulating and provides time for reflection”, says Sara Helmersson, Senior Lecturer in Social Work, who is currently leading the work on the competence platform.

The award recognises successful collaboration

The activities of the Competence Platform in Social Work, as it is called, are highly appreciated by professionals, students and researchers alike. In fact, the collaboration is so successful that the three research colleagues Helena Eriksson, Sara Helmersson and Sara Högdin, have received the 2024 Prize for Collaboration and Innovation, which the University awards annually to the person or group of people who have been particularly successful in developing and strengthening the societal benefit in Halmstad University’s education and research through collaboration.

“It’s a great honour and exciting to be recognised for this work”, says Sara Helmersson, and Sara Högdin agrees:

“There have been many years of hard work to build the platform and to keep it alive. The award recognises both the platform and the social work subject group that has worked together to bring about the collaboration. This has been essential for creating the Social Work Programme.”

The success of the Competence Platform is emphasised by Pontus Wärnestål, Deputy Vice-Chancellor with responsibility for collaboration, innovation and sustainability:

“The Competence Platform for Social Work at Halmstad University is an outstanding example of how collaboration between academia and practice can strengthen both education and societal benefit. This initiative is a model for the future and well worthy of the Prize for Collaboration and Innovation. I am pleased to see how this work has resulted in direct improvements both in the quality of our education and in the services that our social workers perform in society.”

Continued development of the Competence Platform

The competence platform is still being developed and there are many activities linked to it. Examples include an annual conference in social work, “researcher breakfasts” and workshops on conversations with children. Something that is particularly appreciated among the students is when professional social workers participate in the teaching.

“For example, I have invited a group of social workers to meet our students and discuss and reflect on the scope for action and ethical challenges in the profession. It leads to good discussions that are appreciated by both students and social workers”, says Sara Helmersson.

Text: Hilda Liberg

Photo: Dan Bergmark