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The process of professionalisation: Exploring the identities of child protection social workers

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The process of professionalisation: Exploring the identities of child protection social workers. / Leigh, J.T.
In: Journal of Social Work, Vol. 14, No. 6, 11.2014, p. 625-644.

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Leigh JT. The process of professionalisation: Exploring the identities of child protection social workers. Journal of Social Work. 2014 Nov;14(6):625-644. Epub 2013 Oct 7. doi: 10.1177/1468017313504380

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@article{2fd9a5200cab430fb0e3772993e0acf6,
title = "The process of professionalisation: Exploring the identities of child protection social workers",
abstract = "SummaryThis article discusses the findings from a qualitative study, which explored how a group of social workers might construct their professional identity. By drawing from Freidson{\textquoteright}s theoretical perspective of professionalisation and applying it to the field of child protection a different meaning of {\textquoteleft}profession{\textquoteright} has emerged.FindingsBy seeking the views and reflections on what it means to be a professional, the stories that emerged provided these practitioners with distinctive social positions and statuses to take up within the professionalisation process. The narratives also contradicted Freidson{\textquoteright}s argument: for subject to both discourses of derision and attacks from countervailing forces present not only on the inside but on the outside of the discipline, these social workers have had to develop their own unique defensive techniques in order to survive. If Freidson had been an insider to a profession and used the method of narrative interviewing when carrying out his work, his conclusions may have been quite different.ApplicationsThis study contributes to debates about professions using the method of narrative interviewing with social workers. By using this approach and talking directly to the professionals within the field of child protection, who have to deal first hand with certain cultural scripts, a different definition of {\textquoteleft}profession{\textquoteright} has been extended.",
keywords = "blame, child protection, culture, identity, narrative methods, professionalism, Social work",
author = "J.T. Leigh",
year = "2014",
month = nov,
doi = "10.1177/1468017313504380",
language = "English",
volume = "14",
pages = "625--644",
journal = "Journal of Social Work",
issn = "1468-0173",
publisher = "SAGE Publications Ltd",
number = "6",

}

RIS

TY - JOUR

T1 - The process of professionalisation

T2 - Exploring the identities of child protection social workers

AU - Leigh, J.T.

PY - 2014/11

Y1 - 2014/11

N2 - SummaryThis article discusses the findings from a qualitative study, which explored how a group of social workers might construct their professional identity. By drawing from Freidson’s theoretical perspective of professionalisation and applying it to the field of child protection a different meaning of ‘profession’ has emerged.FindingsBy seeking the views and reflections on what it means to be a professional, the stories that emerged provided these practitioners with distinctive social positions and statuses to take up within the professionalisation process. The narratives also contradicted Freidson’s argument: for subject to both discourses of derision and attacks from countervailing forces present not only on the inside but on the outside of the discipline, these social workers have had to develop their own unique defensive techniques in order to survive. If Freidson had been an insider to a profession and used the method of narrative interviewing when carrying out his work, his conclusions may have been quite different.ApplicationsThis study contributes to debates about professions using the method of narrative interviewing with social workers. By using this approach and talking directly to the professionals within the field of child protection, who have to deal first hand with certain cultural scripts, a different definition of ‘profession’ has been extended.

AB - SummaryThis article discusses the findings from a qualitative study, which explored how a group of social workers might construct their professional identity. By drawing from Freidson’s theoretical perspective of professionalisation and applying it to the field of child protection a different meaning of ‘profession’ has emerged.FindingsBy seeking the views and reflections on what it means to be a professional, the stories that emerged provided these practitioners with distinctive social positions and statuses to take up within the professionalisation process. The narratives also contradicted Freidson’s argument: for subject to both discourses of derision and attacks from countervailing forces present not only on the inside but on the outside of the discipline, these social workers have had to develop their own unique defensive techniques in order to survive. If Freidson had been an insider to a profession and used the method of narrative interviewing when carrying out his work, his conclusions may have been quite different.ApplicationsThis study contributes to debates about professions using the method of narrative interviewing with social workers. By using this approach and talking directly to the professionals within the field of child protection, who have to deal first hand with certain cultural scripts, a different definition of ‘profession’ has been extended.

KW - blame

KW - child protection

KW - culture

KW - identity

KW - narrative methods

KW - professionalism

KW - Social work

U2 - 10.1177/1468017313504380

DO - 10.1177/1468017313504380

M3 - Journal article

VL - 14

SP - 625

EP - 644

JO - Journal of Social Work

JF - Journal of Social Work

SN - 1468-0173

IS - 6

ER -