El Trabajo Social aplicado desde la Universidad en la transferencia de conocimiento e innovación social en el desarrollo y consolidación de la Política Social con infancia y adolescencia del Municipio de Tegueste (Tenerife, Islas Canarias)

Abstract

This summary presents the results of a social intervention project (2019-2025) coled by Social Work and the University. The project aimed to strengthen social policy for childhood in the municipality of Tegueste through knowledge transfer and social innovation.

Transdisciplinary collaboration between municipal and university teams, even amidst the COVID-19 pandemic, culminated in the implementation, consolidation, and development of this policy. This progress was recognized by UNICEF in 2021, which granted Tegueste the distinction of “Child-Friendly City.”

The model applied by the University of La Laguna (Social Work Degree) demonstrates how the core functions of Social Work (planning, design, implementation, evaluation, and modification of services) can improve the governance and management of social policies targeting children. This includes providing technical advice for the management of basic, resource-oriented, and advanced services within local corporations.

The knowledge transfer process is complemented by Service-Learning projects (ApS) under the MECA Model, where students contribute value to the intervention project. This generates evidence that directly impacts local social policy, highlighting the social value of the university within its community.