Psychological features of professionalization of a specialist in social work

The article considers the problem of professionalization of social workers. Emphasis is placed on the need to improve the quality of training of specialists in social work, adequate to the requirements of the modern system of protection of all segments of the population. Objective and subjective reasons for complicating the process of professionalization of social workers have been identified. The concept of social work as a personal service to help people is described. It is determined that the main purpose of social work as a professional activity is to care for the welfare and opportunities of the individual and society as a whole. It has been established that a social worker is a specialist designed to identify clients' problems and choose intervention strategies aimed at developing their resources and is endowed with appropriate powers, rights and responsibilities. According to the qualification description, the job responsibilities of social workers are described. It is emphasized that the professional activity of social work specialists is based on qualification requirements that combine a set of professional characteristics, indicators, functions, etc. It is emphasized that professionalism is an important qualitative characteristic of a social worker. It is determined that professionalism in social work is constantly maintained at a high level of knowledge, skills, abilities, professionally important qualities of a specialist, providing qualified assistance in solving problems, achieving high quality work and its effectiveness. The conducted empirical research has shown that the general development of professional competence of specialists is at an insufficient level, therefore the algorithm of productive formation of professionalism of social workers is offered. The need for quality training of specialists capable of fully implementing modern methods and technologies of social assistance to various segments of the population in practice is emphasized. The important role of personal and professional self-development in the professionalization of a social worker is emphasized