Continuities and Innovations in Social Work Practice Education in Ukraine: Lessons from the Pandemic and War Context

This chapter examines the resilience and adaptability of social work practice education in Ukraine, specifically focusing on the lessons learned from the COVID-19 pandemic and the subsequent Russian invasion. A rapid appraisal approach was employed, including semi-structured interviews with social work teachers, an online survey with students, and a desk review. The study contributes to the existing knowledge of social work practice education in crisis contexts, particularly within the Ukrainian context. The findings highlight that the COVID-19 pandemic has necessitated the adoption of new technologies and online platforms for practical social work education in Ukraine. Educators and students have demonstrated resilience and creativity in finding solutions. However, it is crucial to recognize the limitations of these forced innovations, as social work students were unable to fully acquire all the competencies outlined by the academic and occupational standards in Ukraine. Furthermore, the study explores the additional challenges imposed by the full-scale invasion of Ukraine in 2022 and identifies strategies utilized by educators and students to navigate the difficulties and seize opportunities presented by the war context. Drawing on the study’s findings, the chapter identifies lessons and provides recommendations to inform future crisis preparedness in social work practice education.