Self-care in social work: An imperative or beyond reach?

In recent years, the self-care of social workers has become a focus for research and practice in recognition of the demands of the social work role. As part of a research project to explore ways to embed self-care into a social work degree programme at a Scottish university, a narrative literature review was undertaken to examine existing research on self-care for social work students and practitioners. This article reports on the findings from this review, including the multiplicity of ways in which self-care is defined and conceptualized, how it is practised by social work students and practitioners, and the evidence base for identified approaches to self-care. Broader conceptualizations of self-care are explored, which encompass philosophical constructions of the 'self' and the impact of social and cultural norms on self-identity. It is argued that a cultural shift is required in the conceptualization and practice of self-care in social work to include collective and political approaches alongside individual strategies thereby promoting the social justice and anti-oppressive aims of the social work profession. Connections between self-care and ethical practice are highlighted, and further reinforce the need for self-care to be an imperative in social work. In recent years, self-care for social workers has become a focus for research and practice in recognition of the demands of the social work role. As part of a research project to explore ways to embed self-care into a social work degree programme at a Scottish university, a narrative literature review was undertaken to examine existing research on self-care for social work students and practitioners. This review found that self-care is conceptualized in a variety of ways and that social work practitioners and students generally see it as important though may seldom practice it. The various strategies identified in the literature are examined as well as approaches to implementing self-care in social work curricula. A particular focus of the review is on philosophical constructions of the 'self' that is to be cared for. An intersectional perspective is taken to examine how the concept of self-care can be subject to narrow definitions based on social and cultural norms regarding self-identity, and considers broader collective and political notions of self-care that support social justice and anti-oppressive practice. In light of these expanded ways of understanding self-care, the connection with ethical social work practice is highlighted alongside a suggestion that self-care is not only an imperative in the promotion of individual wellbeing for social work students and practitioners but as the foundation of effective and ethical practice.