The scientific research is devoted to the problem of development of social and pedagogical work in general educational institutions of Ukraine (late XX – early XXI century). Theoretical and methodological approaches to the characterization of paradigms in social and pedagogical spheres are investigated. The theories of scientific knowledge in philosophy, sociology, pedagogy, which formed the paradigms foundation of social and pedagogical work in general educational institutions, are revealed. It was defined that social and pedagogical work is based on the interconnection of cognitive-and-informational, competent, personal, cultural paradigms.
The historiography and source base of the research have been studied, systematized and analyzed. According to the criteria defined, the development periodization of social and pedagogical work in general educational institutions of Ukraine (late XX – early XXI century) is given. Among the criteria, which allowed determining periods of social and pedagogical work, there are the following: the legal framework (when there are regulations on social and pedagogical work in general educational institutions in the normative legal documents); subjects of social and pedagogical work (availability of specialists in the social and pedagogical sphere); prior directions, forms and methods of social and pedagogical work. Three development periods of social and pedagogical work in general educational institutions in Ukraine (late XX – early XXI century) are distinguished: period I – search and adaptive (1980–1992), period II – normative and methodical (1993–2005), period ІІІ – organizational and technological (2006–2014).
It was found out that during the search and adaptation period legal and normative documents mostly concerned the training of students, and only a small amount of them referred to social and pedagogical work, there were no specialists in the social sphere at all. The work was carried out by classroom teachers, organizers of extracurricular activities, senior pioneer leaders, organizing educators. During the normative and methodical period, foundations of the legal background and methodological availability of social and pedagogical work in general educational institutions were given. Psychological Service started in the system of education; social educators began to carry out their activity within it. However, their number was negligible. The organizational and technological period is marked with some improvements in the legal framework, presence of qualified specialists in social and pedagogical work. It was found out that social and pedagogical work in general educational institutions was carried out in the following directions: diagnostic, security-and-protective, preventive, corrective, organizational and methodical.
The defined experience of introducing the content, forms and methods of the activity of a social teacher in a general education institution has given an opportunity to outline prospects for its development: media education for students, which will promote the critical and adequate perception of information from various sources of its penetration by learners; preventing suicidal behaviour of young learners which is connected with the fact that a significant number of modern children are active users of social networks; creation of a gender-sensitive school environment, which is regulated by the adopted Concept of the State Social Program for guarantee equal rights and opportunities for women and men; active collaboration of social teachers with school policemen and representatives of cyber police.
The actual material and theoretical conclusions of the scientific research, as well as the methods of social and pedagogical investigation in the historical aspect, can be used during preparation of complex historical and pedagogical works. The main points, results and conclusions of the research can be applied while teaching academic courses «Introduction to the specialty», «Social pedagogy», «History of social pedagogy», «Social and pedagogical work in general educational institutions», «Social support of a family», «Modern paradigms of Social Pedagogy: actual problems», «The theory and methodology of the work of a social teacher in educational establishments», «Social and pedagogical work with parents» for the students with the educational and qualification level of Bachelor in the field of «Social work», in the system of postgraduate education, professional training of social teachers and social educators; while preparing training and methodical textbooks.
