Balancing in the role of a professional family assistant – from a distanced concern to an institutional trap

Abstract

The article unveils the complexity of the professional role of a family assistant as well as areas close to other social professions. In addition, it shows the character of social work, which has its roots in the assumptions of social pedagogy of the 60s of the 20th century, as well as, in a similar scope, in the current expectations for social workers. The statutory requirements of family assistance, practiced and desirable work styles of assistants in Poland are described. The article presents the situations and activities of an assistant when working with families. Emphasis is placed on the multidimensionality of assistants’ work. A family assistant, like a social worker or social educator, balances his/her professional role from an empathic attitude through a distanced care to the institutional trap. These dilemmas and paradoxes together with their types and areas are described. Moreover, the article shows examples of moral dilemmas and paradoxes of family assistants’ professional actions.