The Welfare System in the Face of War Refugees From Ukraine: The Experience of Social Workers in Poland

Abstract

This article explores the experiences of social workers in Poland assisting Ukrainian War refugees in the immediate aftermath of the Russian invasion in 2022. It adopts a ‘culture of disaster’ framework, positioning social workers as professionals responding to macro-level crises and disasters. The research is based on a quantitative survey (computer-assisted web interview [CAWI]) of social workers in municipalities with the highest refugee populations (N = 402). The article shows that the majority of social workers were primarily involved in an emergency response, focusing on meeting basic social needs. However, their involvement in social inclusion and advocacy was significantly less common. Social workers reported high levels of community support and valued working with local communities. The research highlights the challenges faced during the crisis, including professional overload, inadequate regulatory frameworks and the perception of local welfare centres as the only support structures for refugees.