[Tasks and Roles of Social Work in Vocational Rehabilitation]

Social work is part of the interprofessional rehabilitation team and, for example, provides services in the context of so-called special aids in vocational rehabilitation. However, compared to the field of medical rehabilitation, there is still relatively little research on the practice of social work in vocational rehabilitation. The three research projects Tasks and Use of Social Work in Vocational Rehabilitation (ANSAB), Networks and Cooperation in Vocational Rehabilitation (NEKOBERE) and Social Work in Vocational Rehabilitation (SABER) aimed to address this gap by identifying the tasks and roles of social work in this field.

The analysis was based on the qualitative study components of the three projects and an online survey of 109 professionals conducted as part of the ANSAB project. Initially, each research team analyzed its own data. Subsequently, a synthesis of the findings was conducted using a best fit framework synthesis approach. The theoretical framework was based on Dahrendorf's role theory.

Professionals working in the field of social work perform a wide range of tasks and take on various roles. Among others, the identified roles included Thread-Holder, Rehabilitation Process Companion, "Motherly" Carer and Networker. Tasks could be assigned to these roles. Professionals perceived tasks linked to the roles of the Thread-Holder and Rehabilitation Process Companion (e. g. individual rehabilitation progress discussions) as particularly frequent and important. A potential for role conflict between these two roles was also identified. This may occur, for example, when rehabilitants perceive professionals as representatives of the funding agency, which can lead to reluctance to disclose psychosocial concerns.

The results of the three research projects highlight the central importance of professionals working in the field of social work. Building on these findings, practice-oriented recommendations will be developed to support professionalization and further define the competence profile of these professionals.