The article presents the results of an empirical study of professional deformation of the professional group "expert in social work", a specific characteristic of the specificity of professional activity "expert in social work" became a basis for the analysis. In particular, the influence of the specificity of clients of social services on the development of professional deformations in this professional group is analyzed. Purpose: to carry out a diagnosis of professional deformation of the professional group «expert in social work». Research methods: questionnaire survey (handout survey). The sample of the study consisted of 450 people, representatives of the profession "expert in social work" from of the institutions of Ekaterinburg. The quota sample corresponds to the distribution of social protection and social service institutions in the structure of social policy institutions of Ekaterinburg. Results: the specificity of the manifestation of professional deformation of the professional group "social work experts" is revealed and the influence of the specificity of social services clients on the development of professional deformations in this professional group is estimated. Some contradiction is revealed – experts who interact with clients, note the presence of professional deformations less often than those who do not interact with the clients of the organization, but are busy with paperwork.
