SOCIAL WORK WITH DIVERSE CLIENT GROUPS: THE ETHICAL ASPECT AND CHALLENGES OF THE MODERN STATE OF WAR

Abstract

The article provides a comprehensive analysis of the ethical and deontological foundations of social work under the conditions of full-scale martial law in Ukraine. It is substantiated that the moral activity of a specialist, based on the categories of goodness, conscience, and humanity, is the cornerstone of professional assistance. The author emphasizes that during a period of acute socio-economic crisis, ethics ceases to be a merely theoretical construct and becomes a practical guarantee for protecting the dignity of the individual. Special attention is paid to the transformation of social work under the influence of war. Key contemporary challenges are identified: massive traumatization of the population, loss of housing and resources, and the need to integrate millions of internally displaced persons (IDPs). The paper details the specifics of interaction with various client groups. In particular, the ethical aspects of supporting veterans and their families are revealed, where resocialization and respect for combat experience are priorities. The features of socio-pedagogical support for children affected by war are described through the prism of the «best interests of the child» doctrine. Moral dilemmas arising during the provision of assistance to low-mobility groups and the elderly in conflict zones are considered. A separate emphasis is placed on the implementation of international experience (the «social cohesion» model and the trauma-informed approach) into national practice. The author proves that the «Ethics of Social Work» course is fundamental in personnel training, as specialists form the nation's spiritual potential, asserting the ideals of justice in spite of aggression. It is concluded that the combination of professional skills with high ethical standards is a prerequisite for the successful adaptation of society to wartime realities and overcoming the consequences of trauma.