Abstract

The relationship between theory and practice in social work has always been the object of an important and controversial reflection regarding both the educational programmes – that should give the future practitioners the ability to build a connection between their formal knowledge and fieldwork practice – and the professional action that is expected to be continuously improved and supported by a critical thought. Despite the claim that the link between theory and practice represents the basis of the discipline, a separation or a competition between them is frequently observed. The paper discusses the causes and the consequences of this gap and it identifies in the research an effective way to promote a better integration.