Understanding the Needs of Social Workers in Sport Settings: Opportunities for Specialized Education and Training.

With many social workers already using or working in sport, understanding available learning opportunities is critical to enhance competency-based practice, a cornerstone of the profession. To meet this need, this study explored learning opportunities used by social workers using or working in sport. In total, 15 social work professionals were interviewed, representing different professional backgrounds and demographics. Findings demonstrate that social workers engaged in several learning opportunities, including formal education, informal learning opportunities, and personal experiences as an athlete. With this new knowledge, organizations such as the National Association of Social Workers and Council on Social Work Education may consider the development of specialty practice areas and social work specializations, further allowing social work students to individualize their education. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]