Coaching, Values Alignment and Professional Identity in Contemporary Social Work

Social work is a values-driven profession practised within increasingly pressurised systems that can obscure practitioners’ original motivations. This study explores whether social workers undertaking coach training perceive greater alignment with their foundational professional values. Using Interpretative Phenomenological Analysis, data was generated from focus groups, semi-structured interviews and collaborative collaging with consultant social workers in adult mental health services in England. Findings suggest coaching reawakens professional identity, strengthens values alignment and enhances reflective capacity, while systemic pressures continue to constrain enactment. Implications for practice education, supervision and workforce sustainability are discussed.