Becoming a social worker in Wales: language, teaching and inclusivity in professional training

Abstract

This paper deals with the education and training issues that arise in the preparation of qualifying social workers for practice in a bilingual community. It draws on the contrasting experience of two qualifying courses in the north and south of Wales to place its concerns, concepts and questions intopractical context. The paper begins by tracing something of the history of official language use in Wales, draws on the personal histories of its authors and considers the contemporary condition of the Welsh language. It then concentrates on the connections between language and social work, in particular tracing the policy and practice principles that might characterize an inclusive approach to service delivery in a bilingual community. The paper ends with a discussion of current education and training arrangements for qualifying social workers in Wales, considering the extent towhich inclusivity has been embedded into present-day provision, and identifying areas for further development.