PROFESSIONAL ACTIVITIES OF SOCIAL SERVICES SPECIALISTS IN CRISIS SITUATIONS: CURRENT CHALLENGES, STRATEGIES, PRACTICES

Abstract

The paper examines the professional actions of social service workers in crisis situations in the context of the ongoing conflict in Ukraine. It is established that an increase in the number of people in challenging living situations and vulnerable population groups causes a shift in the content, character, tactics, and practices of social work aimed at providing comprehensive, operational, and targeted support to clients. The main areas of activity of social service professionals in crisis situations are identified, including creating safe conditions, ensuring access to social and other services, stabilising the psycho-emotional state, minimising the consequences of the impact of crisis situations, assisting in the mobilisation of internal and external resources, protecting clients’ rights, and improving the quality of their personal functioning. Modern issues are examined, and similar themes in the professional actions of social service workers in crisis situations are found using examples from Ukraine, Portugal, and Nigeria. Among them are the growth in the number of individuals, families, and groups in need of psychosocial assistance and the increase in the required support time; the need for optimal and balanced integration of the psychological component into social work in crisis situations; the increase in workload and the risks of professional burnout of specialists; problems of interagency coordination; and the need to introduce information and communication technologies into social work. The emphasis is on the significance of professional training, advanced training, and supervision for social work specialists, as well as improving crisis management skills and applying adaptable approaches to respond to the demands of various demographic groups in modern crisis situations. The conclusion is reached that continued enhancement of social work strategies and practices in crisis situations is a crucial prerequisite for developing individual, family, and community resilience to the impact of crisis events and assuring adequate psychosocial support