Community-Based Social Work in a Pandemic

Abstract

As a result of the decentralization reform, the community is a center for ensuring the social well-being of citizens: social services are created, innovative social services are sought at the community level; grant funds are raised to strengthen the social capacity of communities; a partnership with business in the field of social support for vulnerable groups is being developed. However, the pandemic due to the spread of coronavirus infection COVID-19 has become a challenge for the social sphere as a whole. The objective of the article is to summarize the experience of the community of the city of Uman on social services and social support for vulnerable categories of citizens in a pandemic. Research results. The article establishes that the basic structure at the community level of the city of Uman, which is responsible for social protection of citizens is the Department of Labor and Social Protection of Uman City Council. Thanks to an extensive network of institutions that provide social and rehabilitation services to children, youth, families, people with disabilities, members of the ATO / JFO, retirees, and other vulnerable groups, the community has managed to provide quarantine work. It has been established that due to the assignment of a specific social work specialist to a certain district of the city, social work is carried out with families directly in the community. Every social worker has information about each family’s need for social services. Thanks to the prompt response to the needs of the community, local authorities together with socially responsible business provided adequate support to vulnerable categories of citizens during quarantine. Particular attention is paid to the development and approval of measures to prevent the spread of coronavirus infection COVID-19 among social workers. An electronic call for specialists has been introduced, the official website of the department provides an Internet reception service, and the city residents have been informed about the list of Minsopolitics online resources that can be used by recipients of social benefits. A separate area deserves attention — support for children and families with children during anti-epidemic measures in Ukraine, and after the easing of quarantine restrictions, measures are organized for children in compliance with all quarantine rules. An Observer has been set up on the basis of the Office’s structures, which is under the control of the city commission on technogenic and ecological safety and emergencies.