Social Education and Social Services: exchange of socio-educational glances in a multiple case study

Abstract

The analysis of professional social service practices developed by social educators in two Spanish municipalities in Andalusia and Galicia is the main objective of this research. It aims to delineate and estimate the social-educational dimension of primary health care social services, analyzing the nature and the scope of the socio-educational intervention developed – explicitly or implicitly – in such services. With this purpose, we have chosen qualitative methods based on a multiple-case study, the most frequently adapted approach to an in-depth analysis of the elements that make up the socio-educational actions in social services and the social educator´s professional performance in this institutional area. 

The preliminary results indicate the need for a comprehensive study of professional profiles and socio-educational practices carried out by educators in social services, clarifying the functions and tasks they assume collaboratively through teamwork and multidisciplinary approaches. We understand that this is how they should face the limitations (time, space, planning, coordination, etc.) that affect social education and the leading, not secondary, role it must play within social services so that they are more attentive to the multiple needs and rights of citizens.