Ośrodki pomocy społecznej w czasie pandemii COVID-19 w świetle doświadczeń pracowników socjalnych
Social assistance institutions during the COVID-19 pandemic: analysis of the experiences of employees

Summary/Abstract: The article deals with the issue of the professional activity of social workers during the COVID-19 pandemic. The main research problems are assessing the degree of implementation of social work; changes perceived in the functions of social work, and observing changes in the functioning of the represented organization. My research goal was to determine the differences in professional activity and in the attitudes of social workers, taking into account the type of municipality represented by the respondent, the size of the designated institution, the experience of the social workers, and the type of professional position. The research was conducted using the computer-assisted web interviewing (CAWI) technique among social workers in the Greater Poland Province who engaged in work during the COVID-19 pandemic. The research results (N = 284) show that during the pandemic social workers focused particularly on administrative activities and providing assistance in the form of protective measures. This was especially visible in rural and urban-rural municipalities. In smaller centres, activities in the field of social integration and defence of the rights and interests of people in a difficult social situation were also undertaken less frequently. The analysis of empirical material leads to conclusions about social work during the COVID-19 pandemic being an activity aimed at satisfying basic care needs and ensuring the financial security of people at risk. Environmental and civic involvement are on the margins of professional activity.

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