Migration of professional social workers : reflections on challenges and strategies for education
Date
2011-09
Authors
Pullen-Sansfacon, Annie
Spolander, Gary
Engelbrecht, Lambert K.
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
Taylor and Francis
Abstract
International migration of social workers has had, in recent years, a substantial influence
on the political agenda of different countries in the world, and is fraught with challenges.
In some countries, recruitment of internationally qualified social workers has even become
an important strategy to meet staffing demands and to fill shortages in the social work
profession. This paper aims to promote debate on the key role of social work educators in
assisting social work students and practitioners to practise within both a national and an
international context, by reflecting on specific practice examples from Canada, England
and South Africa. We explore challenges, as well as possible strategies for adaptation in
new contexts, such as the facilitation of additional training, globally comparable social
work programmes, and the development of a stronger professional identity, based on
integrated social work values. We conclude that by enabling a stronger professional
identity through the development of professional virtues, social workers will be empowered
to become more confident practitioners and internationally more adaptable.
Description
Please cite as follows:
Pullen-Sansfacon, A., Spolander, g. & Engelbrecht, L. K. 2012. Migration of professional social workers : reflections on challenges and strategies for education. Social Work Education: The International Journal, 31(8);1032-1045, doi:10.1080/02615479.2011.609543.
The original publication is available at http://www.tandfonline.com
Pullen-Sansfacon, A., Spolander, g. & Engelbrecht, L. K. 2012. Migration of professional social workers : reflections on challenges and strategies for education. Social Work Education: The International Journal, 31(8);1032-1045, doi:10.1080/02615479.2011.609543.
The original publication is available at http://www.tandfonline.com
Keywords
Social workers -- Supply and demand, Brain drain
Citation
Pullen-Sansfacon, A., Spolander, g. & Engelbrecht, L. K. 2012. Migration of professional social workers : reflections on challenges and strategies for education. Social Work Education: The International Journal, 31(8);1032-1045, doi:10.1080/02615479.2011.609543.