Profile + Organisation
Portrait
Our focus in the Department of Social Work is on professional social work. We take an interdisciplinary approach to dealing with contemporary social issues. We have specialist expertise and see ourselves as providing a platform for discussions and encounters. We act as both a stakeholder and partner with regard to education and social issues and are committed to ensuring equal opportunities and social welfare. As innovative pioneers when it comes to tackling social challenges, we have our finger on the pulse of society.
Teaching, research and practice are closely combined here in the Department of Social Work. Our portfolio includes a generalised, two-stage Bachelor and a Master of Social Work degree programmes, together with various practice-orientated further education courses (specialist courses, CAS, DAS and MAS). Considerable emphasis is placed on cooperation and we conduct inter-professional, transdisciplinary and cross-institutional research in the following fields: childhood, adolescence and family, ageing, social and cultural diversity, social security and social policy, organisation and social management, counselling, mediation, supervision, professional development, teaching methodology and digitalisation.
Advisory Board
The Advisory Board of the Department of Social Work supports the department leadership team with regard to strategic aspects and contributes to the enhancement of the profile of the department. It provides input designed to improve teaching and research and establishes contacts with partners with whom the department can collaborate and those who work in the field. Members of the Advisory Board:
- Daniel Bock, Head of Social Affairs Department, Ostermundigen
- Lucien Criblez, Professor em. of Historical Educational Research and Educational Policy, University of Zurich
- Karolina Frischkopf, Director HEKS/EPER
- Silvio Imhof, President of the Emmental Child and Adult Protection Authority
- Andrea Lüthi, Head of Quality and Project Management, Office for Adult and Child Protection, City of Bern
- Ursula Marti, Grand Councillor, Synodal Councillor
-
Christa Quick, member of the Family Support Management Team, Bern West
-
Michel Stämpfli, Co-President of the BFH Social Work Alumni Association, social worker at the Burgdorf Social Services Department
History
2022
The Department of Social Work is reorganised and six institutes are established. The new institutes specialise in the following topics: Childhood, Adolescence and Family, Counselling, Mediation, Supervision, Organisation and Social Management, Social Security and Social Policy, Social and Cultural Diversity, Teaching Methodology, Professional Development and Digitalisation.
The Institute on Ageing is now run to equal proportions by the Departments of Social Work and the Department of Health.
2018
The Division of Social Work becomes an independent department at BFH.
2011
Accreditation of the consecutive Master of Social Work degree programme by the Federal Department of Economic Affairs (EVD). Relocation from Falkenplatz to the premises at Hallerstrasse 8 and 10.
2008
Launch of the consecutive Master of Social Work degree programme.
2007
Consolidation of the sites in Falkenplatz and Hallerstrasse Bern.
2006
Accreditation of the Division of Social Work by the cantonal government.
2005
Launch of the Bachelor of Social Work degree programme (Bologna Declaration).
2005
Incorporation of the Hochschule für Sozialarbeit (HSA) in the Division of Social Work.
2003
Reorganisation of Bern University of Applied Sciences and formation of six department from the various subject schools. The Hochschule für Sozialarbeit (HSA), the Hochschule für Wirtschaft und Verwaltung (HSW), the Private Hochschule für Wirtschaft (PHW), are amalgamated to form the Department for Business, Administration and Social Work.
2001
Accreditation in Switzerland as a university of applied sciences degree course by the Conference of Cantonal Ministers of Education (EDK).
1998
Affiliation with Bern University of Applied Sciences under the name Hochschule für Sozialarbeit (HSA) Bern.
1996
Reopening of the renovated building at Falkenplatz 22/24.
1992
The academic title "dipl. Sozialarbeiter/in HFS" receives copyright protection. Introduction of the “New Educational Model (NAM I)” (modular system).
1990
Granting of the status of “Höhere Fachschule für Sozialarbeit” (HFS).
1975
Merger of the Berner Abendschule and Schule Gwatt to form the Vereinigte Schulen für Sozialarbeit Bern und Gwatt (VSSA). Move to the school building at Falkenplatz 24.
1965
Launch of the Gwatt/Thun church school.
1955
Launch of the Berner Abendschule
1943
Establishment of the Bildungsstätte für Soziale Arbeit Bern as a sponsoring association.
Employees
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