The study discusses the search for meaning and position of social work in postmodern social context. At present there is talk in social work of crisis and failure of social work, which consists in the blurring of its identity, the fact that social work is carried out by unqualified workers, and loss of social prestige. In the contemporary professional discourse of social work in the Czech Republic the study first identifies three areas from which the loss of meaning and threat to the identity of social work stem (definition of social work, system of social services, real conditions of carrying out social work). Based on reflecting these areas the study states that the discourse concerning the identity and meaning of social work loses sight of the client of social work. That is why it briefly summarizes the conception of social work in Silvia Staub-Bernasconi, who in defining social work emphasizes the question "Who is vulnerable". On this basis the study then concludes that further defence of the professional interests of social work in public discourse and in the context of social services providers is needed, which as its goal will pursue not a general question of the identity of social work but the good of its client.

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Problematika aplikace profesních hodnot v sociální práci AbstraktČlánek vychází z reflexe výzkumu Grantové agentury Jihočeské univerzity č. 117/2013/H, jehož součástí bylo také téma profesních hodnot. Výsledky dotazníkového šetření výzkumu upozorňují na problematiku aplikace profesních hodnot v sociální práci. Cílem článku je primárně poukázat na některé z bariér v aplikaci hodnot, souvisejících především s definováním pojmu hodnota a pluralitou hodnot v sociální práci. Studie vychází z obecného pojetí, že se sociální pracovník potřebuje ve své praxi řídit také hodnotami, které vedou k naplňování poslání a smyslu sociální práce.

The study aims to provide argumentative support for utilising the theory of natural law in social work, because it enables the subject to apply universal values and norms in particular social and cultural conditions. This study conceives the theory of natural law as one of a number of ethical theories relevant for social work, i.e., such as are applicable in solving social problems. It derives its reasoning from the so-called dynamic conception of natural law, which in the case of social work provides the worker with basic orientation and places an emphasis on the freedom and responsibility of the individual. For this reason, this study views the theory of natural law as useful for so-called Christian social work, as well as for social work in general.Based on an analysis of the application of natural law in social work the study also states a partial discord between so-called Christian social work and natural law theory.

In the study we draw on current discussions on values in the ethics of social work, which is also why the causes of uneasy application of values identified below by far do not offer the reader a complete list. The goal is rather to contribute to the broad discussion dealing with the significance and issue of values in social work. 7 12 More detailed elaboration of the research question see Monika FLÍDROVÁ, Sociální práce jako práce řízená profesními hodnotami (diploma thesis),