Social Work at Home: Dual Relationships

This chapter focuses on rural social workers’ experiences of living and working in the community they serve. It will involve an exploration of the impact and challenges of dual relationships when the professional and personal intertwine. In rural social work, the valuable skills developed through close and sustained working relationships and practice wisdom sit side-by-side with challenges to workers’ well-being, family, and social life. Lack of anonymity and enhanced levels of scrutiny are expected in small rural communities where workers and their families are enmeshed in the fabric of daily life. But what does that mean for workers when they or their family require a service from friends, colleagues, and fellow professionals? What does it feel like when statutory social work duties impact the people who are seen as part of everyone’s social life? How does rural working affect career and development opportunities? The skills and strategies workers use to navigate the professional and personal and the supports required will be considered to look at ways that workers can continue to help their communities.