Hierarchical Challenges to Transnational SocialWorkers’ Mobility: The United Kingdom as a Destination within an Expanding European Union

Transnational social workers' (TSWs) mobility is evident across the globe; however, social work training, qualifications and activities vary widely even within areas of free labour mobility such as the European Economic Area (EEA). The UK continues relying on internationally qualified social workers to fill in shortages. A number of structural challenges exist in relation to the ability of social workers to cross borders; these are presented at different levels of hierarchies, including political, practice, regulatory structures and individual levels. This article seeks to conceptualise different elements of such hierarchies, drawing on two empirical research projects. The first relates to a pan-European data-gathering exercise in relation to regulation and qualification structure of social work in twenty-seven EEA countries and the second reflects the experience and perceptions of sixty-six non-UK-qualified social workers practising in the UK. The analysis suggests that a set of factors operating on the macro, meso and micro levels of hierarchies affects EEA and non-EEA TSWs differently. TSWs' experience is further influenced by the ability to transfer training and skills into the UK cultural context, which in turn is affected by individuals' abilities and structural workplace support.