SKILLS AND ABILITIES OF A SOCIAL WORK SPECIALIST AT AN INDIVIDUAL-PERSONAL LEVEL

Abstract

The article considers skills and abilities, the development of which is necessary for the successful work of a specialist in social work at the individual and personal level. Social work requires the specialist to develop specific skills that ensure effective communication, empathy, etc. Given the importance of integrating theory and practice in the training of social workers, key professional competencies such as active listening, empathy, critical thinking and communication skills are analyzed. Their formation allows the social worker to better understand the needs of clients, establish trusting relationships and provide more effective support. The analysis of the actual problem made it possible to highlight that the trainings, which practice the skills and abilities of conducting individual consultations and interviews, in particular within the framework of the course «Practicum in social work», allow students to master the technique of individual work with the client, to form humane participation, sensitivity and professional tact; active listening skills, ability to analyze individual customer situations, establish and maintain contact with the client. It has been established that the development of professional qualities of social workers focuses on strengthening the skills of emotional sensitivity, the ability to apply active listening and provide the necessary support. A key aspect is the ability to fully understand the customer, taking into account both their verbal and non-verbal cues. Thus, an individual approach, attention to non-verbal signs and the context of the client’s message are the components that allow specialists to provide high-quality and effective assistance. Thus, the integration of practical skills into the training process of higher education students is a professional factor for improving the quality of social assistance and improving the professional development of specialists in this field.