EXPERIENCE IN SERVICE USER INVOLVEMENT IN THE EDUCATION OF SOCIAL WORKERS IN SERBIA

The experience in service user involvement in the education of social workers in Serbia is very limited. This fact was significantly influenced by a medical model of social work practice which has dominated the education process. Gradually, as this model has been abandoned, the awareness on the importance of involvement of service users and their carers as partners in the education of social workers has risen. The limited experience, however, reveals numerous benefits of such an approach. The first steps, which relate to the curricular reform and the reform of the social care system, have been undertaken. However, they are not sufficient and it is necessary to continue to develop an organized and structured approach which would provide basic conditions, forms and modalities of involvement of service users and their carers in the education process.