Evaluation of the Activities of Social Service Institutions in Istanbul during the COVID-19 Pandemic Period and Developing a Proactive Business Plan for the Second Wave Crisis Process, Including Strategic Social Work Management

Within the scope of the project, it is aimed to evaluate the activities of Social Service Centers (SHM) and social service units of municipalities during the COVID-19 pandemic period and to prepare a proactive business plan in the perspective of strategic social service management for similar epidemic and crisis situations that may occur in the future. When the work of Social Service Centers (SHM) and Municipalities in Istanbul during the pandemic process is examined from the perspective of social service units, managers and professional staff, it is seen that the municipalities give their priorities to food-based supports (food package, hot meal) and Social and Economic Supports (SED) It has been seen that the focus is on maintaining the sustainability and giving one-time HIA to new needy people. Those who undertook the provision of social services during the crisis could not find time to take a break, inappropriate applications made their work difficult, felt worthlessness and loneliness, social work intervention could not be done effectively, and supervision was lacking. In addition, findings about the strengths and weaknesses of institutions and employees were obtained with SWOT analysis. As a result of the SWOT analysis, the strengths for municipalities and SHMs are high work motivation (sacrifice), cooperation and teamwork; staff awareness and professional competence, managerial qualification and operational efficiency; The weaknesses stand out as missing and/or unsuitable personnel, job definition confusion, operational difficulties, lack of budget, lack of teamwork, and unplanned reactive approach. The research analyzed the work of institutions providing social services during the pandemic process in Istanbul in the perspective of pre-pandemic, process, normalization process and what is needed in the future. Based on the findings, a proactive business planning has been prepared in the perspective of strategic social service management for similar epidemic and crisis situations that may occur in the future. The findings of the project revealed that it is necessary to carry out studies to make the importance and function of social work understandable during pandemic and crisis periods, and that providing SWOT analysis by social service institutions is a necessity for proactive management of crises. Institution-based action plans should be created to ensure that the process is well managed by supporting institutions and organizations to have a proactive business planning.