Social Work Identity

This chapter explores what is meant by identity and professional identity and why it has come to be so important for social work in Scotland. It examines social work's professional identity through three lenses. The chapter shows identity of the profession itself and its location in relation to other professional groups and broader social policy. It considers the role of Chief Social Work Officer (CSWO), which has come to the fore in recent years and has a role in professional leadership. There is an exploration of the identity of social workers themselves. The chapter argues that professional identity links with personal identity and is maintained through a process of 'identity work'. The chapter is grounded in work with social work professionals and draws on research already completed by the authors, the experience of working with CSWOs and the authors' continuing struggle with their own professional identities.