DIGITALIZATION OF SOCIAL WORK IN RUSSIA: OPPORTUNITIES AND BARRIERS

Korneva Olga Anatolyevna

Digitalization is recognized as a source of large-scale transformations of modern society. However, the impact and consequences of these transformations are uneven, both because of the digital divide between countries and social groups, and because of the different capacity of sectors and industries to adopt new technologies. The article analyzes the opportunities and problems associated with the use of information technologies in the field of social work. The potential for the use of digital technologies and services in social work is very wide and is present at various levels: individual, organizational, institutional. Most classes of information technologies, including end-to-end technologies, which are a priority in the national program of the Russian Federation "Digital Economy", have the potential to be used in social work. However, the realization of this potential is associated with various economic, political and social problems. In terms of social conditions for successful digitalization, two general problems are the most important and relevant both in global perspective and in Russian context. The first is related to the resistance of digitalization by key actors, including social workers, and is based not only on psychological, but also on professional reasons. The second is related to the lack of institutional mechanisms for interaction between the sectors of IT and social work. Without solving these two problems, realizing the possibilities of digitalization to improve the quality of social services will be impossible.

Keywords:social work, digitalization, information technologies, digital services, social services, people with disabilities