Features of the Institution of Patronage Service, Its Problems and Ways to Solve Them

The article studies the system of patronage service in Ukraine as an important part of the public service. Special attention is paid to explaining what patronage service is, its place in the civil service system, and how it connects with political and administrative structures. The article also looks at the problem of the unclear legal status of patronage officers, which has long been discussed by lawyers and in practice.

It is noted that some improvements appeared after the Law of Ukraine “On Civil Service” was adopted, which officially gave patronage officers the same status as civil servants. However, this change still has many problems, such as gaps and conflicts in the law. These problems make it difficult for patronage officers to fully use their rights and guarantees, and create uncertainty in how they are hired, promoted, or dismissed.

The article also shows the main problems in the legal regulation of this service — the lack of clear separation between political and administrative positions, weak rules for ethics, and unclear responsibility of patronage officers. The author suggests improving the law by bringing it closer to civil service rules, making hiring procedures better, and removing legal conflicts.

In addition, the need to develop unified approaches to understanding the place of patronage service in the public administration system and its role in ensuring the stability of the functioning of authorities is emphasized. Emphasis is placed on the importance of increasing the professionalism, transparency and accountability of foster carers.