A critical analysis of the recruitment and experiences of overseas Zimbabwean social workers in the UK
A critical analysis of the recruitment and experiences of overseas Zimbabwean social workers in the UK

Summary/Abstract: This paper presents a critical analysis of the recruitment, living and working experiences of overseas Zimbabwean social workers in UK since the late 90s to date, the general context of social work in terms of staff shortage, migration issues and the recruitment of overseas social workers in UK in general and in particular, those from Zimbabwe. The paper also highlights in more specific and general terms the experiences encountered by overseas Zimbabwean social workers in the UK. There is also focus on the social workers’ resilience and determination to succeed in a foreign land, which helped them to adjust to the new environment and deal effectively with the professional and personal challenges they encountered. These include understanding children’s social care system in UK, racism, discrimination and problems associated with their assimilation into the wider British society. The paper also highlights the fact that overseas social workers found crossing international borders to practice social work was not as easy as initially anticipated given the context specific nature of social work in the UK. The above was cited as one of the significant challenges faced by overseas Zimbabwean social workers in England. Their experiences, which were largely of a professional and social nature, were found to be varied and diverse, consistent with the forces of globalisation and social workers’ migration trajectories. Their experiences help to shape policy making in future as well as help in conducting further research on their experiences and kindred issues.

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