A challenged professional identity: the struggles of new social workers in China

Abstract

This paper reports the findings of a qualitative study of how 28 new social workers in China experienced challenges during the early formulation of their professional social work identity in the workplace. Through social work training at the school, they had been taught that some key social work values were core elements of their social work professional identity. These values have informed their daily practice. However, negative experiences in the emerging social work field in China have hampered not only the advancement of their long term commitment to social work, but also have constantly weakened their fragile professional identity. In light of these findings, the paper proposes that universities, social work organizations and governments should work together to promote a better environment for new social workers and to help them continue in the field. To obtain official support and public recognition towards social work, to delineate the role, responsibilities and authority of this profession in the social service system, the creation of a job induction plan and a professional supervision system are essential for future social work development in China.

通过对于中国内地28位社工的深入访谈，本文探索了这些社工在工作中建立社工职业认同的历程，并回顾了他们所遇到的挑战。研究结果显示，这些社工通过在校学习，了解和内化了一些核心的社工价值理念；而作为社工专业认同不可或缺的组成部分，这些理念在随后的工作中也发挥了重要的指导作用。然而，在现实工作中所遇到的困难和挫折不断地削弱这些社工对于专业的信心、承诺和投入，冲击着他们脆弱的专业认同。基于以上发现，本文提出，为了未来社会工作专业的良性发展，中国的高校、社会工作机构和政府部门应同心协力，建立专业化系统化的社工入职、培训及督导体系，创造良好的工作环境，明晰社工的专业角色与地位，并提升公众对于社工专业的认知与接纳。

Keywords:

• social work education
• professional identity
• professional value
• professional status
• professionalization
• new social worker