Scotland: The Role of Social Worker in the 21st Century |
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The Role of the Social Worker in the 21st Century –
A Literature Review
Professor Stewart Asquith
Dr Chris Clark
Professor Lorraine Waterhouse
University of Edinburgh
A literature review on the role of the social worker was carried out during November 2004 - January 2005 by consultants based at the University of Edinburgh. The review was commissioned by the Scottish Executive to support the work of the independent review group 21st Century Social Work set up by the Education Minister. The review surveyed a large volume of literature covering social work across much of the developed world. A list of references is appended.
The Scottish Executive is making this research report available on-line in order to provide access to its contents for those interested in the subject. The Executive commissioned the research but has not exercised editorial control over the report.
This web only report is accompanied by "Insight 25: The Role of the Social Worker in the 21st Century" also in web only format. Both reports are published by Information and Analytical Services division, Scottish Executive Education Department, Victoria Quay, Edinburgh, EH6 6QQ. If you have any enquiries about these reports please contact the Dissemination Officer on 0131-244-0316.
These reports were commissioned by the 21st Century Social Work Review Group to inform their work. Copies of this full report had already been released on the 21st Century Social Work Review website www.21csocialwork.org.uk/).
Both reports were published on The Scottish Executive website in December 2005.
www.scotland.gov.uk/Resource/Doc/47121/0020821.pdf
The review concludes that
• The ‘crisis’ in social work is mainly a matter of professional identity that impacts on recruitment, retention and the understanding of the profession’s basic aims.
• Social workers are very much needed to support those affected by poverty, disadvantage and social exclusion.
• There is an urgent need for social work to clarify its professional identity and its distinctiveness compared with other professions. This needs to be viewed with reference to the changing nature of the relationship between worker and client.
• The professional identity of social work need not be inextricably linked to specific organisational structures. Rather, its identity should be based on its core values and principles.
• The evidence suggests there is no logical need for a single structure social work department. The limited research evidence available suggests that social workers can and do work well and effectively in a variety of multi-disciplinary contexts and organisational settings. Core professional values and commitments are more important than organisational structures.
• Social work has increasingly moved away from its commitments to direct work with individuals, families and communities and away from a preventive role. Social workers may thus be required to fulfil an organisational function that conflicts with professional values and principles and with the reasons that provided their motivation to enter social work in the first place.
• Models from other countries may be suggestive, but change should recognise the achievements since Kilbrandon [a major report which set the organisational framework for state social work in Scotland in 1964].
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page last updated on 30.12.2005
