FEATURES OF THE ACTIVITIES OF SOCIAL SERVICES SPECIALISTS IN UKRAINE UNDER MODERN CHALLENGES

Abstract

The article outlines the characteristics of social workers' work in today's unstable and critical environments. According to the findings, social services are currently directly involved in the practical application of social work and the provision of social services to a variety of individuals who have encountered challenging life circumstances or who are members of groups that are at a high risk of experiencing them. The focus is on the social services' direction vectors under military conditions, which include providing high-quality socio-psychological and other forms of assistance, responding to citizens' requests in a timely, professional, and targeted manner, and maintaining ethically balanced and fruitful communication with clients, their legal representatives, and the community. It should be mentioned that Ukraine has developed and is currently operating a system of social services of state, municipal, and non-state forms of ownership and special services that enables the process of delivering requested services to a greater number of recipients from among those who are suffering from the negative effects of the current situation. It is stated that the network organisation of social service activities of different ownership and subordination forms has improved the accessibility of social services and social assistance at the place of residence or actual stay of different categories of people and families who have encountered challenging life circumstances. It is stated that social services are rendered in compliance with state standards that establish the parameters for monitoring and evaluating the calibre of social services rendered as well as the framework of professional collaboration between social service providers and recipients. It is emphasised that social services' selection of social work strategies in the current unstable and critical conditions and the efficient delivery of social services necessitate highly qualified professionals and the application of social work techniques that are both scientifically sound and effective in order to provide appropriate support for people in challenging life situations, activate their social and personal resources, and integrate them into the community. It has been shown that social workers nowadays encounter a wide range of difficult problems that call for not only their professional expertise but also their capacity for work, drive, emotional equilibrium, and the capacity for self-control and introspection. The success of interactions with service receivers is determined by the personal and professional attributes of social service providers, taking into consideration each person's unique needs and traits. Social workers who exhibit a high degree of professionalism and self-organization are better able to prevent the negative effects of crisis circumstances. It has been found that one of the most important prerequisites for social services to function effectively in the modern era is the provision of high-quality diagnostics, which aid in determining the root causes of clients' issues, evaluating their current circumstances, assessing the effects of challenging life circumstances, and identifying resources to help them get through these challenges. In addition to clients and recipients of social services, social workers, managers, partner organisations, scientists, and the society at large can all benefit from this technology of social work as long as high-quality diagnostics and needs assessments are conducted.