Challenges of practicing professional social work in Bangladesh: perspectives from public sector service providers

ABSTRACT

This study aimed to explore the challenges of professional social work practice in Bangladesh from the perspective of government social service providers. Based on the qualitative approach, the study findings highlighted that unfamiliarity with the social work discipline, lack of professional recognition, absence of specific employment for social work graduates, and limited understanding of social work among policymakers remain significant challenges for social work practice in Bangladesh. The paper advocates for concerted efforts by academicians, researchers, social service professionals and policymakers to overcome those challenges. The paper has insights for developing countries in addressing the challenges of professional social work practice.

KEYWORDS:

• Challenges
• professional social work
• practice
• public sector
• service provider

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the authors.

Notes

1. In Bangladesh, Social work students are placed at government or non-government social service agencies for field practicum. Students are jointly supervised by social work academics and agency staff.

2. Upazila refers to the sub-district in Bangladesh.

Additional information

Funding

This work was supported by the SUST Research Centre, Shahjalal University of Science and Technology, Sylhet, Bangladesh (Project ID: SS/2019/1/32);

Notes on contributors

Md Abdul Jalil

Md Abdul Jalil is a professor of Social Work, Shahjalal University of Science and Technology, Sylhet, Bangladesh. His research interest includes social work education and practice, disability, and social policy.

Muhammed Muazzam Hussain

Muhammed Muazzam Hussain is a professor of Social Work, Shahjalal University of Science and Technology, Sylhet, Bangladesh. His research interest includes social work practice, health care and social exclusion