BuddyUp, participatory tool, inequality, children at risk, social exclusion

One of the most vulnerable groups in terms of inequality in society are children and young people at risk of social exclusion. The aim of this chapter is to present a project supporting their integration by setting up a comprehensive student buddy program based on a critical evaluation of the existing system of practical (fieldwork) education of students of social work. This evaluation has the nature of participatory research, with academics setting up a system of practical education for students and with the students themselves. This research took place at one specific faculty located in a region with one of the highest rates of social exclusion in the Czech Republic. During the evaluation, it appeared that the design of the buddy program, based on the mentoring relationship of a specific student with a specific child, fulfilled the needs of all three involved groups of stakeholders in a synergistic effect: (a) academics, through the creation of a systematic structure of practical education; (b) students, by supporting the improvement of the professional identity and readiness of students to handle professionally demanding situations; and (c) children at risk of social exclusion, in the form of support for the use of antioppressive approaches in social work. A direct implication is the creation of the principles for setting up the BuddyUp program and the discussion of this setting in the context of a meta-analysis of similar, already-existing solutions in an international context.

One of the most vulnerable groups in terms of inequality in society are children and young people at risk of social exclusion. The aim of this chapter is to present a project supporting their integration by setting up a comprehensive student buddy program based on a critical evaluation of the existing system of practical (fieldwork) education of students of social work. This evaluation has the nature of participatory research, with academics setting up a system of practical education for students and with the students themselves. This research took place at one specific faculty located in a region with one of the highest rates of social exclusion in the Czech Republic. During the evaluation, it appeared that the design of the buddy program, based on the mentoring relationship of a specific student with a specific child, fulfilled the needs of all three involved groups of stakeholders in a synergistic effect: (a) academics, through the creation of a systematic structure of practical education; (b) students, by supporting the improvement of the professional identity and readiness of students to handle professionally demanding situations; and (c) children at risk of social exclusion, in the form of support for the use of antioppressive approaches in social work. A direct implication is the creation of the principles for setting up the BuddyUp program and the discussion of this setting in the context of a meta-analysis of similar, already-existing solutions in an international context.