‘We didn’t learn enough about racism and anti-racist practice’: newly qualified social workers’ challenge in wrestling racism

Tam Chipawe Cane, Prospera Tedam

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

23 Citations (Scopus)

Abstract

Since the murder of George Floyd, there has been an increase in discussions around racism and anti-racist practice in social work. There have been questions about how pre-qualifying training prepares newly qualified social workers for working with racialised groups and dealing with racism in practice. This paper reports on a qualitative study with sixty-seven newly qualified social workers on the Assessed and Supported Year in Employment programme (a twelve-month employment-based course providing extra support and enhancing skills and knowledge for newly qualified social workers employed in England) within two years of completing a social work degree. Our analysis identified challenges in dealing with racism, experiences of racism and the lack of guidance on dealing with racism, witnessed and/or experienced. There is a need for organisations, and educators to develop a greater sense of racial consciousness to successfully drive anti-racism in social work. A framework that supports newly qualified social workers with processes to help challenge and address incidences of racism should encourage social workers to wrestle with race.

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)1563-1585
Number of pages23
JournalSocial Work Education
Volume42
Issue number8
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 2023

Keywords

  • Social work education
  • anti-racist practice
  • assessed and supported year in employment
  • newly qualified social worker

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Education
  • Social Sciences (miscellaneous)

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