The Institution of the School Social Worker as a Tool for Reducing Educational Inequality: Social Workers' Perspective

(in English): The thesis examines the role of school social workers in reducing educational inequalities within the Czech education system. It is grounded in concepts of educational inequalities, school social work, and critical social work. The aim was to explore how school social workers understand their professional role, what barriers and opportunities they identify when supporting pupils from socially disadvantaged backgrounds, and how they navigate an institutionally unstable and legislatively unanchored profession. The qualitative study, based on semi-structured interviews with nine participants, was analysed using reflexive thematic analysis. The findings indicate that school social workers play an important role in connecting schools, families, and community services and in addressing the social contexts of pupils' difficulties, while simultaneously facing uncertain working conditions and unclear professional boundaries. The thesis offers insight into a developing profession and its potential to contribute to more equitable educational opportunities. Klíčová slova (anglicky): school social workers, educational inequality, social workers' perspective, role of the school social worker, critical social work, social context