‘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

5 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
JournalSocial Work Education
DOIs
Publication statusAccepted/In press - 2022

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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