Returning to Social Work Practice: A Literature Review and Comparative Analysis Between Professions

Abstract

Moves towards a more standardised, structured and transparent training experience for qualified social workers returning to practice is quite new. A review of the limited social work literature on this topic and its ensuing discussion with reference to other professions helps to locate key issues relating to the process of returning to practice after an organised career break or indeterminate period away from practice in the United Kingdom.

Keywords:

• returning to practice
• recruitment and retention
• practice quality
• workforce development

Acknowledgements

An original literature review on return to practice was funded by the Care Council for Wales. The review was used differently and developed further for the completion of this article.