Flexibility and Professionalisation: Reflections on Adaptions by Social Work Services in China during COVID-19

Abstract

This article presents a conceptual framework of ‘flexibility’ to analyse social work responses to COVID-19 breakout in two Chinese cities. It explores how social workers adjusted in three interrelated ways: to new needs and service user groups, by changing the types of resources they coordinate, and collaborating with other professions and policy structures in new forms. It argues for greater attention to ‘flexibility’ in social work theory and practice, suggesting that this concept can boost the social work profession and build professional identity in contexts where social work is being established.

Keywords:

• professionalisation
• COVID-19
• pandemics
• flexibility

Disclosure statement

The authors report no declarations of interest.

Additional information

Notes on contributors

Min Ren

Min Ren is Associate Professor at Huazhong University of Science and Technology, where she directs the MSW education programme.

Binbin Wang

Binbin Wang is Deputy Director of Dongguan Dazhong Social Work Service Center. She holds an Erasmus Mundus joint master degree in social work and has professional experiences in both frontline practice and social service management.

Michael Rasell

Michael Rasell is the University Assistant for Disability Studies and Inclusion at the University of Innsbruck. His research interests include international social work and he is a coordinator of the Erasmus Mundus Master Advanced Development in Social Work (ADVANCES).