Professional Action of the Center for Social Intervention and Attention (CIAS) of the Social Work Career of the Adventist University of Chile from the Perspective of Institutional and Community Actors

Abstract

The study describes the professional action of CIAS from the perspective of institutional and community stakeholders involved. Using a qualitative approach, with an exploratory-descriptive scope, it addresses the positioning of the CIAS in the community, the approaches and intervention models employed and a reflection regarding the theoretical-methodological orientation of its actions. Through documentary review techniques, semi-structured interviews, focus groups and eco-maps, the experience of managers, academics, students, alumni and community leaders is collected. Regarding the findings, the CIAS has established a significant connection with six neighborhood councils, achieving recognition and collaboration with community leaders.  The low population density and face-to-face relations have favoured the CIAS´s engagement. The Seventh day Adventist religion plays an important role in helping to shape the community identity, strengthening the CIAS mission of promoting a Christian-biblical  worldview.

The intervention levels with which the CIAS works are individual-family, the group and community, but the adequacy of these levels to the characteristics of each locality is questioned. There is a trend towards welfare assistance and a lack of medium and long-term strategy. The documentary review reveals a deficiency of detailed records, making it difficult to analyze the use of models and theories. However, a declarative use of models was identified, particularly in the diagnosis stage, establishing a challenge to the methodological theoretical underpinning of professional action.