Mediation as a component of social skills and professional competences of future social workers

The relevance of the study is determined by the need to develop the ability of future social workers to resolve conflicts and mediate. The purpose of the article is to theoretically substantiate and outline the practical foundations for the implementation of mediation as a technology for resolving conflict situations, a component of future social workers' social skills and professional competences. Achieving the goal of the article enabled the use of general scientific methods: analysis, synthesis, comparison, generalization. The theoretical foundations of the research related to the problem of technologies for solving conflict situations in society and methods of their prevention are outlined. The importance of the formation of the ability to mediate in the context of compliance with the provisions of the standards of higher education for training applicants of the first (bachelor's) and second (master's) levels of higher education majoring in 231 Social work, of the professional standard "Social Worker" is substantiated. It was established that the specified normative documents on Specialty 231 Social work provide for the availability of general and professional competences and program learning outcomes aimed at acquiring the ability of future social workers to mediate and resolve conflicts. The prospects of professional training intended for social workers – mediators in the context of the uniqueness of educational programs in Specialty 231 Social work are outlined.