Higher Education in Social Work in Chile and Training for Intervention in Situations of Homelessness. Challenges in the Evaluation Done by Practitioners of Students’ Pre-Service Processes of Practice

Abstract

Pre-service practice is key in social work training. In this framework, this research sought to identify the evaluation of Chilean social workers of the intended learning in these instances for intervention in a street situation. The methodology, based on a quantitative design with an exploratory-descriptive scope, consisted of an online questionnaire answered by practitioners of the discipline. The results show, in general terms, high scores, but with variances because some practitioners assess student learning highly while others do not. This suggests that not all the practitioners feel that learners have incorporated the best tools for intervening in the domain of homelessness. Implications for training are discussed, such as, among others, the collaborative definition of minimum elements that students should incorporate into their practices, subject to permanent review. Also, there is the challenge of moving towards the strengthening of the collaboration between the institution where the practice is carried out and the house of studies, in order to contribute better to the training process of social work students.