The purpose of this article is to link the reasons for the poor theoretical and methodological foundations of social work to the thesis of (de)professionalisation. This paper offers an analysis of the discontentment felt by social workers in their professional activity, which affects their identity and their social recognition. The first part of the article sets out a conceptual framework on the system of professions, the thesis of de-professionalisation and the risks affecting social work in Spain. The second part presents discourse in relation to the object of this article: (a) weak knowledge monopoly, (b) the necessary feedback on the practice, (c) professional social work with academic social work, and (d) social work in relation to other professions. The methodology adopted involves a discourse analysis of fifty in-depth interviews with experts in social work. It is concluded that self-reflection, training and in-depth knowledge of the paradoxes of social work are key elements in transforming risks into potential.
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Reflections on the opportunities and difficulties surrounding the theoretical and methodological foundations in social work
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