The Clarity and Contribution of the Hospital Social Work Role: Observations on its Professional Identity

Abstract

This review explores international practice in hospital social work with older people through the lens of four different aspects of professional identity (self-identity and reported practice; professional characteristics; patient perspectives, and professional authority or power). It highlights the skills needed for hospital social work and the challenges faced by practitioners following organisational change in acute hospital care. It offers an agenda for new research and for professional debates about what will be needed from hospital social workers in the future.

Keywords:

• hospital social work
• professional identity
• literature review
• outcomes
• discharge planning

Acknowledgements and Disclaimer

We are grateful to all those we consulted during this review and to members of our Unit’s User and Carer Advisory Group. The views expressed in this publication are those of the authors and not necessarily those of the NIHR or the Department of Health and Social Care.

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the authors.

Figure 1 Flowchart for identifying material about hospital social work with older people (2000–2019).

Additional information

Funding

This study is funded by the National Institute for Health Research (NIHR) Policy Research Programme (Policy Research Unit in Health and Social Care Workforce: Ref. PR-PRU-1217-21002).

Notes on contributors

Nicole Steils

Nicole Steils is a Research Associate at the NIHR Health & Social Care Workforce Research Unit (HSCWRU), based in the Policy Institute, King's College London. Her previous research includes studies of assistive technology and Approved Mental Health Professionals.

Jo Moriarty

Jo Moriarty is a Senior Research Fellow in the NIHR Health & Social Care Workforce Research Unit. Her research into social work includes studies of newly qualified social workers and the effectiveness of social work with adults. Jo and Nicole are both Senior Research Fellows of the NIHR School for Social Care Research.

Jill Manthorpe

Jill Manthorpe is Director of the NIHR Health & Social Care Workforce Research Unit and a member of the executive group of the NIHR School for Social Care Research. In addition to her research work, Jill provides provides expert advice to a number of governmental and NHS Arm's Length Bodies about care services and workforce initiatives. She is a member of the Executive Group of the NIHR School for Social Care.