DIRECTIONS AND FEATURES OF THE WORK OF SOCIAL SERVICE CENTERS WITH FAMILIES AND CHILDREN

Abstract

The article is devoted to the analysis of the directions and specific features of the activities of social service centers in working with families and children under conditions of modern social transformations and wartime challenges. The key categories of service recipients are examined, including orphans, children with disabilities, families in difficult life circumstances, internally displaced persons, large families, and low-income households. Emphasis is placed on a comprehensive approach to family support, prevention of social risks, development of children’s social competences, and integration of services into interagency cooperation. The importance of preventive orientation, interagency collaboration, inclusive practices, and innovative methods of work is highlighted. The purpose of the study is to outline the key trends in the development of social support and to identify innovative approaches to working with different categories of service recipients. General scientific methods were applied in the research process – analysis, synthesis, systemic and comparative approaches, generalization, and the structural-functional method. The results show that the activities of social service centers are characterized by complexity, preventive orientation, and integration into interagency cooperation. The main problems identified cover economic, psychological, educational, social, and legal spheres, and the importance of inclusive practices, individualized assistance, and the development of resocialization programs is emphasized. Modern social work requires the implementation of digital tools for monitoring needs and evaluating program effectiveness, which enables timely responses to changes in the social environment. The practical significance of the study lies in the possibility of using its results to develop effective programs for supporting families and children and to form a modern model of social work oriented toward sustainable development and social integration.