Protection of social workers during the COVID-19 pandemic

Abstract

The article examines the current challenges that life has posed to social workers in Ukraine and the world in their activities in the context of combating the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic. We are faced with the task of making every effort to support social workers, and provide them with opportunities for safe activities in the provision of services. The article considers the functions and principles on which the organization of social workers in counteracting the pandemic is based. Aspects related to problems and risks in their activities are also considered. It is also important to develop priority actions in the context of their protection against infection. Due to the fact that the pandemic situation is constantly changing, there are changes in the priorities of action, there are also changes in the protocols of organization and provision of social assistance. In addition, the availability of testing, the level of health risks and the ethical consequences of social services interventions in situations related to social problems in families affected by the pandemic are assessed. This is based on the International Declaration of Ethical Principles for Social Work of the International Federation of Social Workers (IFSW). The article considers the level of vulnerability of a social worker, client or population to severe clinical symptoms and increased risk of death from infection. The context of new challenges also considers models of remote service delivery and situations in which this is not possible. It is proposed for social workers to conduct training sessions and conduct regular remote supervision of their activities during their response to the COVID-19 pandemic. Social workers are invited to create plans for social and psychological protection and self-care.