On 21 November 2025, the LSDB Annual Conference on Social Work with Clients in Highly Challenging Situations Took Place
On 21 November 2025, the annual conference of the Latvian Association of Social Workers (LSDB), titled “Professional Approaches and Practical Solutions in Social Work During Life’s Most Challenging Moments”, was held in Riga, at Katoļu Street 22, as well as online via the Zoom platform, bringing together 137 participants. The conference addressed a wide range of situations commonly encountered in the daily practice of social workers – severe illness, family crises, loss and bereavement – all of which require professionals to provide both emotional support and practical assistance.
The event opened with remarks by the Minister of Welfare, Reinis Uzulnieks, who emphasised the critical role of social work in strengthening societal resilience, as well as a welcome address by the Chairman of the Riga City Council and LSDB member, Viesturs Kleinbergs. Representatives of social service providers and field experts shared insights into support solutions for families following serious illness, the development of hospice care and the importance of volunteer engagement, crisis intervention practices, and key lessons from supervision of social work professionals.
Throughout the conference, participants expressed that, in the coming years, they wish to see social policy developments focused on prevention and community strengthening, reduced administrative burden, digitally accessible and mobile services, and increased attention to mental health, adolescents, new parents, and people experiencing homelessness. At the same time, the need to strengthen the social services workforce was strongly highlighted – through supervision, workplace support, competitive remuneration, professional exchange, competence development and the use of new tools, including artificial intelligence, to reduce workload and improve the quality of social services.
LSDB Camp “Creative Expression and Sensory Interaction” at Skangaļi Manor
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