Professional competence of social pedagogues: the level of formation from the perspective of the employer

Abstract

The main subject of social and pedagogical activity is the social pedagogue, whose social functions are still widely discussed. The article examines the social and pedagogical, educational, cultural, and educational, organizational, and methodological activities of a social pedagogue. The authors have conducted a study and examineddata from a questionnaire anda survey of employers of social pedagogues in general secondary schools. As result of the study, it has been proved that the first highest priority knowledge for employers is knowledge
of the legal foundations of the professional activity of a social pedagogue. The second priority is the knowledge of the organization of the social pedagogue’s activity. Thorough theoretical training aimed at acquiring this knowledge contributes to the effective implementation of managerial functions by the social pedagogue. In accordance with the obtained data, some practical recommendations for the inclusion of some disciplines that can reflect legal knowledge and managerial skills in the educational programs of Social pedagogy and self-knowledge have been proposed. The authors propose the inclusion of such disciplines as «Fundamentals of regulatory and legal activities of a social pedagogue» and «Social and pedagogical management» that will help students to master the necessary competencies required by the social pedagogue in professional activities.