Professional activity of social sphere specialists in conditions of uncertainty

The article examines the features of changes in the social service system with an emphasis on the practice of social work in the context of pandemic and post-pandemic challenges. The theoretical basis of the work is the concepts of sociology of professions and occupations, pandemic reality and emotional labor. The professional community of social workers is understood in the form of a "supportive" profession that provides social care services in order to solve acute social problems by providing assistance to the most vulnerable categories of citizens (the disabled, the elderly, people with disabilities). Particular attention is paid to the impact of preventive measures and information policy aimed at combating the spread of coronavirus infection, which significantly affect professional activities, the sense of subjective security of social professionals and clients served, the possibilities of urban mobility, access to various organizations and resources. The empirical basis of the conducted research consists of semi-structured interviews with specialists of state and non-state social organizations. Based on the analysis of the data obtained, the key aspects of the professional activity of specialists that have undergone the greatest changes are presented. The interrelation of official and informal professional rules, the importance of the emotionality of the work of specialists operating in conditions of uncertainty, as well as the specifics of the provision of social services under the influence of administrative and legal regulations justified by medicalized discourse are revealed. The high importance of the social service system and the demand for specialists, manifested against the background of the diversification of the social sphere, as well as urgent problems for existing social workers, such as insufficient wages, shortage of personnel, high bureaucratization of labor and rapid restructuring of work functions, were noted. Special attention is paid to professional skills in managing emotions used in the process of interaction of specialists with clients, which is defined as an effective strategy used in the practice of social work.

social service system, social work, professional group, semi-structured interviews, pandemic, post-pandemic, vulnerable, groups, of the population, challenges