Helena Radlinska

Abstract

This article presents the work of Helena Radlinska, one of the founders of social work in Poland. Her work is discussed within the context of Polish history as the early development of social work in Poland is closely allied to the creation of a national identity. Implications for current social work practice, education and research are explored. It is proposed that Radlinska’s model expands current conceptualizations of social work practice and moves the profession towards an empowerment-based model, more effective in serving oppressed and socially underdeveloped populations.

The Specifics of Home Practice of Social Work in the Works of Alice Masaryková and Helena Radlińska

“…Radlińska's model of social work was developed at a time of deep social underdevelopment and oppression. Much of the simplicity and wisdom of her model can be applied to social work with the contemporary population today and can help expand the current conceptualizations of social work (Brainerd 2001). It can also support the profession in the transition from corrective and social control functions to a process of strengthening that promotes personal and social development.…”

“…Her father -Alexander Rajchman was the co-founder and first director of the Philharmonic Orchestra, her mother -Melanie Hirszfeld was a journalist and writer. In 1925, Helena Radlińska took a higher doctorate in the history of social work and in 1937 she was nominated for professorship in social pedagogy (Brainerd 2001;Baková 2015).…”

“…Social pedagogy is still a well-established field of science in European universities and corresponds to social work, which is considered an applied science (Lorenz 1994: 87). This school, directed by Radlińska until 1944, significantly influenced the understanding of the role of social work in society and the overall development of social education in Poland (Brainerd 2001).…”

“…Radlińska was a member of the committee that organized the first international conference of social workers in Paris in 1928 (Radlińska 1927). As stated by Brainerd (2001), through these international associations, Radlińska developed relationships with many of the leading figures in social work in Europe (e.g. Alice Salomon, the founder of social work in Germany, who already had a close relationship with Alice Masaryková at that time; or, for example, Mary Hurlburt, a social worker from the USA) (Theiss 1996: 58;Stelmaszuk 1994: 236).…”

Pedagogika społeczna: Spotkania, trwanie i zmienność, pogranicza

“…Brainerd zauważa, że określana przez nią praca społeczna to praca socjalna, która rozważa każdy aspekt życia społecznego -z nastawieniem na usuwanie występujących, znanych i nieznanych sił, które zagrażają rozwojowi jednostek i społeczeństwa. Legislacja, polityka, oświata, opieka zdrowotna, opieka społeczna to dziedziny, w których winien działać pracownik społeczny powołany do rozbudzania i organizowania sił ludzkich (Brainerd, 2004).…”