Introduction

It has been our intention with this book to introduce readers to the phenomenon of transnationalism as it manifests within a single profession across a number of different national contexts. To conclude this introductory exploration of social work transnationalism, we draw together what we believe are the significant themes emerging from the contributions. The first theme concerns the impact on those social workers who cross borders of the nature of professionalisation and regulation in different jurisdictions. Second, we draw out the common difficulties faced by social workers and other stakeholders and the extent to which these challenge the ideals of social work as an international profession. Finally, we explore some potential solutions to these challenging circumstances.

Jurisdictional similarities and differences

It has been argued in a number of places in the book that social work is both global and local. As Karen Lyons points out in Chapter Two, social work is unified by a set of values and imperatives identified in the ‘global definition’ promoted by the International Federation of Social Workers (IFSW) as including social justice, human rights, collective responsibility and respect for diversities, as well as a commitment to promoting social change and development, social cohesion, and the empowerment and liberation of people. As the other chapters have made clear, the national, regional and local contexts in which social workers practise to uphold and promote those values and imperatives both have elements in common and differ widely. Clearly, each of the jurisdictions described in this volume has experienced social work as a transnational professional space. These countries’ immigration policy settings and labour market regulations have not always perfectly aligned, but have generally encouraged those with professional qualifications and practice experience to cross international borders to fill (actual or perceived) skills shortages. The chapters in Part Two (‘Practitioner perspectives’) all recount the sorts of practice, cultural and linguistic differences encountered by transnational social workers (TSWs). Additionally, there are striking differences in the ways in which social work is structured and regulated in each jurisdiction.

Most apparent among those differences is the question of professional registration. Social workers across the countries of the UK and the provinces of Canada are all required to be registered.