Padova, 17 June 2025

SENSE AND SENSIBILITY IN SOCIAL WORK WITH FAMILIES AND CHILDREN 

An innovative approach, multicultural perspective and practical applications

Presentations will be delivered in Italian and English. A simultaneous interpretation service from Italian to English and vice versa will be available via the Zoom platform. Participants attending in person who wish to use the interpretation service are kindly requested to bring a personal device (smartphone, tablet or computer) with access to Zoom, as well as a pair of earphones or headphones.

9.30-10.00 Participant registration

10.00 - 10.30 Opening Remarks and Institutional Welcome

• Paola Milani Scientific Coordinator P.I.P.P.I. Programme of Prevention of the Insitutionalization, Dep.to FISPPA, University of Padova

• Egidio Robusto Director of the Department of Philosophy, Sociology, Pedagogy and Applied Psychology, University of Padua

• Francesca Setiffi Coordinator Third Mission Commission, Dep.to FISPPA, University of Padua

• Anna Barzon Counselor of the Municipality of Padova

10.30-11.15 Steps toward a new approach

Risks and opportunities of the transformation of social work in Europe. The experience of 30 years of research Interview to Edgar Marthinsen Emeritus Professor, Department of Social work,

Norwegian University of Science and Technology, Trondheim, Norway and to Brid Featherstone (online) Emeritus Professor of Social Work, University of Huddersfield, UK

Re-signifying social work in Europe Interview to Sara Serbati Associate Professor of Social Pedagogy, Department of Philosophy, Sociology, Pedagogy and Applied Science, University of Padova, Italy

11.15-12.45 Lightning Talks: Core Values in action in Social Work

Why National, Regional, and Local Support is key to innovating Child Protection and Family Services

Laura Yliruka (Finland) Experience of collaborative Innovation in Child Protection in a Finnish national programme

Paola Milani (Italy) The Need for a Support System to Break the Cycle of Disadvantage: Insights from the P.I.P.P.I. Programme

Co-research in social work: what is the role of the research function during intervention?

Sara Serbati (Italy) Children and families as co-researchers during evaluation

Federico Zullo (Italy) Young Care leavers as co-researchers: Enhancing practice through lived experience

Caroline Mc Gregor (Ireland, online) Balancing protection and support: the role of a practice research approach

How to realise children and families’ participation in Child Protection

Francesca Maci (Italy) Family involvement in Child removal processes: bridging aspirations and reality in the P.I.P.P.I. programme

Edgar Marthinsen (Norway) A mind for learning. Applying knowledge with sensibility

Beyond family boundaries: fostering meaningful relationships in community settings

Nuria Fuentes-Peláez (Spain) Communication as the backbone of intervention in group with families

Andrea Petrella (Italy) Community mapping: Participatory ways to harnessing local resources for enhanced well-being

Engaging practitioners through continuous training: focus on methodology

Laura Yliruka (Finland) Training on the systemic-dialogical way of thinking in social work practice

Anne Moe (Norway) Innovative assessment tools in social work: exploring the Life Wheel approach

Marco Ius (Italy) Reflective practice in the P.I.P.P.I. programme train the trainers

12:45-14:00 LUNCH BREAK

14:00-16:00 Thematic Roundtable

Multi-stakeholder dialogue: from research to practice in social work

This session will be conducted in Italian with simultaneous English translation provided

With contributions from:       

Romolo De Camillis Director General for Social Development and Poverty Aid, Ministry of Labor and Social Policies

Mariateresa Paladino Social and Socio-educational Policies Service, Emilia Romagna Region (Italy)

Angela Vignozzi Welfare and Social Innovation Department, Tuscany Region (Italy)

Luca Agostinetto SIPED (Italian Society of Pedagogy) and Associate Professor of Pedagogy (Padova University, Italy)

Silvia Fargion President of the Italian Society of Social Work and Full Professor of Social Work (Trento University, Italy)

Francesca Schir National Council of the Order of Psychologists and researcher of Pedagogy (Bozen University, Italy)

Antonella Labianca Carocci Publishing House (Italy)

Isobel Baiton (online) Policy Press Publishing House (UK)

Discussion topics:

Applicability of the presented research in the European/Italian context

Challenges and opportunities for implementing innovative practices

Role of professional training and education in adopting new approaches

Future perspectives for research and practice in social work in Italy

Q&A Session

Questions from the audience, including professionals and students

Summary and Conclusions

Moderator

Cristina da Rold Data journalist freelance