The research focuses on the study of traditions and innovations of zemstvo practices in social work in Ukraine. The research analyses zemstvo charity focal areas revealing and diagnosing the elements of the latter in modern social work; it investigates the improvement and revival potential of zemstvo practices in social work at regional, local and organizational levels.
The concept of "zemstvo charity" is defined as an outdated name and the first development stage of professional social work in Ukraine within the period of 1864-1918, the implementation of which was entrusted to employees of zemstvo self-government. Its traditions could justly claim to be the socially oriented practices having been used over the given period and hitherto maintained in a classical or modified form to be effectively applied in modern domestic social work. Subsequently, the types of zemstvo charity practices potentially restorable in modern social work are to be theorized as their innovations.
A profound attention has been paid to such areas of zemstvo charity as patronage of orphans, extramarital off-springs, mentally and somatically handicapped, convicts and exiles, superintendence of educational and medical institutions, social support of migrants, refugees and migrant workers, prevention of social pathologies, enhancing population welfare, promoting the development of social cooperation, insurance, superannuation.
It has been determined that with the acquisition of Ukraine's independence the development of professional social work headed back into common European direction, moreover, prioritizing the role of the preserved zemstvo charity practices. Their traditions have been revealed in social work of rehabilitation centers for children with disabilities, institutional educational establishments, institutions of comprehensive secondary and special vocational education, geriatric homes. A certain emphasis is placed on the fact that despite the oblivion of their zemstvo origin and label "obliteration" of the achievements of the Soviet social security system, they remain inseparable and confirm the cyclical development of domestic social work. In addition, the research provides a detailed examination of the development of foster family, family-type boarding houses, social assistance on a non-professional basis, as well as warming centres and meal sites for the homeless. Correspondingly, the above-mentioned analysis deeply exposes the issue of innovation of the revived technologies of the zemstvo Patronage familial as well as medical and meal site practices. The objectivity of these conclusions was confirmed by the results of focused group discussions and in-depth interviews. They were used as a basis for the recommendation development to improve and modernize the existing and revive the forgotten practices of zemstvo charity in modern social work in Ukraine.
The thesis distinguishes the development of public administrative mechanisms of competitive and programme-targeted social order in decentralized environment as an important condition of installation and improvement of zemstvo experience into the field of social work at the regional level. The principles and algorithms in question have been recognized to play a major role in implementing regional programmes to improve the quality of geriatric care homes and homes for the elderly, social assistance, support and counselling, health insurance for children from low-income families attending secondary, secondary vocational educational institutions, including the development of a network of comprehensive rehabilitation centers for children with disabilities. In order to improve the management of social work, to provide a positive image and enhance prestige of social worker, the revival of corporate-parity private pension provision is proposed as a recommendation in specialized services and institutions.
A detailed examination in the research is devoted to the improvement recommendations of the effectiveness of social work in the community by introducing both forgotten and advancing existing practices of zemstvo charity.
Another focus of the research has been on recommendations for foundation and functioning of the children’s cochlear implant rehabilitation complex with further implementation of traditions and innovations of zemstvo charity practices into its activity.
The research results obtained can be applied in creation of the regional social work development strategy, implementation of social programmes and projects. The thesis materials can be exercised in the process of teaching appropriate disciplines for students majoring in "Social Work" being partially incorporated into regular activities of Zaporizhia City Council Office for Children Affairs.
