Adapting across Borders: Experiences of Hong Kong Social Workers in England—Navigating Challenges and Fostering Professional Growth through Cultural Adaptation and Continuing Professional Development.

This study examines the experiences of overseas-qualified Hong Kong social workers who migrated to England via the British National (Overseas) (BN(O)) visa route in 2021, focusing on the challenges they face in professional and personal transitions and the role of continuing professional development (CPD) in their adaptation. Using qualitative methods with ten experienced participants, the research highlights language barriers, cultural differences, and work culture as key challenges, while emphasizing CPD's importance in enhancing cultural competence, professional growth, and knowledge transfer within the English social work context. The study underscores the interplay of personal and professional transitions, the accumulation of social capital, and the need for culturally sensitive CPD frameworks to support transnational social workers' integration. It contributes to understanding the unique socio-political migration context of Hong Kong social workers and offers insights for improving support mechanisms in England's social work sector.