ABSTRACT
This chapter suggests pathways for social workers to collectively achieve recognition of social work as a professional practice. It begins by defining what is meant by de-professionalization and examines how this process is reshaping social services work in western English speaking countries. The chapter critically analyzes factors from outside and within the profession contributing to de-professionalization. It compares how professional associations and unions are responding to the emerging demands for industrial and cultural recognition of social services work as professional practice. Classical unionism lies at the end of the spectrum to classic professionalization as a collective strategy for achieving occupational recognition. In some English speaking countries and Scandinavian countries a new form of unionism is emerging that addresses some of the shortcomings of traditional unionism for enhancing the cultural recognition of social service practice. Finally, the chapter considers future directions for collaborative re-professionalization of social work practice.
