Pragmatic Professionalism: A Fuzzy Delphi Study on the Competencies of Social Workers in Guangzhou, China

Abstract

The aim of this study was to derive a competency framework from the perspective of Chinese experts in social work, and to reveal the reasons for these particular choices. Working in reference to professional competencies that have been identified by the USA, England and Hong Kong, twenty Chinese academics, fourteen Directors/Deputy Directors and fifteen senior practitioners individually chose those competencies they perceived as important and a consensus was reached in accordance with the fuzzy Delphi method. It was discovered that the Chinese framework should be constituted of twenty-four competencies in the domains of 'Values & Ethics', 'Theoretical Knowledge' and 'Practical Skills'. Following further in-depth interviews with the experts, the rationale behind these choices can be described as 'pragmatic professionalism', which prefers pragmatic competencies with de-politicising techniques. This study can be seen not only as a pioneer attempt to identify the Chinese framework of competencies from the expert perceptions, but can also be used to reflect on the current Chinese method of professionalisation, with its characteristics of pragmatism, de-politicisation and technicism.