ABSTRACT
The aim of this chapter is to investigate the complexity of social work conduct at the macro, mezzo, and micro levels during pandemics, following the International Federation of Social Workers' global definition of social work, which emphasises that social work engages with people and structures to address life challenges and enhance well-being. This is particularly relevant during pandemics, which are understood to be a health issue but also affect the social and personal lives of people and cause not only health but also psychosocial problems and crises. We examine how governmental measures to curb the COVID-19 pandemic in Slovenia have affected the operation of social services and shaped the daily practice of social workers. We also attempt to identify the best responses and adjustments to meet people's needs. Data were obtained from a Slovenian study titled 'Social Work during COVID-19 in Slovenia', using quantitative method. The results show that structural and institutional changes made in Slovenia in the last decades reduced social work conduct to the micro level and resulted in the exclusion of social workers from decision- and policy-making bodies at the macro level, which became particularly visible during the pandemic.
