This book offers a comprehensive examination of the European Joint Master in Social Work with Children and Youth (ESWOCHY) programme, developed collaboratively by four partners: Mykolas Romeris University (Lithuania), Riga Stradins University (Latvia), the Catholic University in Ruzomberok (Slovakia) and the University Institute of Lisbon (Portugal). Drawing on the experiences and perspectives of educators, graduates, and practitioners, the contributed volume explores how innovative pedagogical approaches, research integration and practice-based learning shape the preparation of social work professionals for service to society on national and international levels.

Structured in three parts, the book addresses the programme's innovative educational philosophy, research contributions, and applied practice.

• Part I highlights ESWOCHY’s commitment to scientific knowledge, critical thinking, creativity, and lifelong learning within a humanistic tradition.
• Part II examines research that informs social work with clients, social agencies, and the profession at large.
• Part III presents practice examples of social work with children and youth.

By interconnecting education, research, and practice, the book underscores the importance of multidisciplinary learning, knowledge transfer, and innovation in social work. It reflects and expands on European education and values on a global scale.

The Interplay Between Social Work Education and Practice: Bridging Borders is an essential resource for scholars, educators, and practitioners in social work and provides a model for collaboration in higher education across borders.

Jolanta Pivoriene, PhD is a professor at Mykolas Romeris University, Vilnius, Lithuania. She teaches at bachelor and master’s level at her home university and abroad, and has over 20 years of experience in the initiation, implementation, monitoring, and evaluation of national (including those funded by the Research Council of Lithuania) and international (Erasmus+, Norplus, Europe Horizon) projects. Since 2014 she has been involved in five COST Actions as an MC or MC substitute member. Dr. Pivorienė has extensive experience serving as an expert in both national (Research Council of Lithuania, Education Exchanges Support Foundation, Centre for Quality Assessment in Higher Education) and European (European Science Foundation, Research Foundation Flanders) bodies. Since 2023, she has acted as a member of the Europe Horizon WIDERA and Marie Skłodowska-Curie consultant groups; in the same year, she became an external expert regarding EU COST Actions. She also has experience in working with European Commission initiatives – she has served as vice-chair of the “Human Healthcare and Social Services Activities” Sectorial Reference Group in the European Commission ESCO project (European Skills/Competences, Qualifications and Occupations). Dr. Pivoriene is an active member of a number of European organizations: a former vice president and board member at FESET (European Association of Training Centres for Socio-Educational Care Work); a former board member at ENSACT (European Network for Social Action); and a member of both the EEsrASSW (Eastern European Sub-Regional Association of Schools of Social Work) and the ESA (European Sociological Association). She has received the Award of the Minister of Education of the Republic of Lithuania for her active participation in the Erasmus programme and the internationalization of higher education in Lithuania.