ABSTRACT
Regional, rural and remote contexts present unique challenges in relation to preparedness for social work practice that require special consideration for social workers, social work educators and organisations operating in these contexts. The social workers we spoke to consistently shared the view that social work practice in regional, rural and remote settings often requires a distinctive approach when compared to more urban practice locations. In particular, social work in these contexts calls for a certain type of integrated, hands-on, independent, self-aware, reflective practitioner. Many social workers, irrespective of how long they had been operating in these contexts, spoke of an inherent ability to work ‘out bush’, where the nature of practice often necessitates a whole-of-life approach:
You’re either in or out – there’s no grey areas. I think that’s pretty much in rural areas. You’re either in or you’re out of it. You know? There’s not much in between really.
