 |
How Does the Social Work?Author: Yohai Hakak
Putting the 'social' back at the centre of social work. Seasons are hosted in collaboration between social work academics, practitioners, students and experts by experience, and each has a different focus. Seasons 1 & 2 explored a mix of topics Season 3 offers an international perspective on anti-racist social work Season 4 focuses on student social work placements Cover art by Alma Hakak Language: en Contact email: Get it Feed URL: Get it iTunes ID: Get it |
Listen Now...
Season 5, episode 5: From "Angels" to "Baby Removers": Navigating Social Work Reputations
Episode 5
Sunday, 8 March, 2026
Guest ProfilesHei Chow Hei is the Programme Manager at UK Welcomes Refugees, where he supports refugees and overseas social workers in building professional networks and career pathways. A former youth worker in Hong Kong with a background in values education, Hei migrated to the UK to seek a better environment for his family. He currently leads initiatives to help migrant social workers regain their professional identity and integrate into the UK workforce.Dr. Sui Ting Kong Dr. Sui Ting Kong is an Associate Professor of Sociology at Durham University and a co-editor of the British Journal of Social Work. Since moving to the UK from Hong Kong eight years ago, she has pioneered research in feminist participatory methodologies and relational care. Her current work focuses on the Hong Kong diaspora, including the "We are Hongkongers" project and supporting the transition of overseas-qualified social workers.Episode SummaryIn this episode of How Does Social Work?, hosts Colleen Simon and Yohai Hakak speak with Hei Chow and Dr. Sui Ting Kong about the intersection of culture, identity, and social care, focusing on the transition from practicing in Hong Kong to the UK. The discussion contrasts the intense work ethics of Hong Kong—where social workers often operate without strict boundaries, running long residential camps and maintaining lifelong relationships with clients—with the more regulated, individualistic system in the UK.Key themes include: Public Perception: The guests highlight a stark difference in reputation; in Hong Kong, social workers are often viewed as "stars" or "angels" due to positive media portrayals and their role in developmental youth work. In contrast, they note that UK social workers often face stigma as "baby removers". Political Context and Migration: Hei shares his personal journey of leaving Hong Kong due to the changing political landscape and education system. The conversation touches on how Hong Kong social workers have been historically active in political protests, leading to increased vulnerability and repression in recent years. Professional Identity: A significant challenge for the diaspora is the "identity loss" experienced by qualified professionals who find themselves unemployed or unable to practice upon arriving in the UK. The episode concludes with a mention of a pilot project with Sutton Council aimed at supporting these overseas qualified social workers
