Renegotiating solidarity and deservingness during the COVID-19 pandemic. the role of frontline social work

Abstract

During the COVID-19 pandemic, a dual dynamic became visible in welfare states: on the one hand, vulnerability intensified, particularly among people in precarious legal situations; on the other hand, inclusive measures in solidarity with groups usually excluded were expanded. In this exceptional context, notions of belonging, solidarity and (un)deservingness were renegotiated. At the heart of these processes, frontline social workers played a pivotal role. Drawing on 80 semi-structured interviews with representatives of frontline organisations in Switzerland, complemented by participant observation, we identify three key dimensions in these negotiations: belonging, solidarity and deservingness. Frontline social workers found themselves in a position where the civic engagement rationale of belonging gained new prominence. They actively contributed to shaping shifts within what Sarah Schilliger called an ‘infrastructure of solidarity’ while navigating scarce resources, moral evaluations and the ethical principles of social work. With this article, we seek to advance the understanding of the role of frontline social work in negotiation processes during times of crisis and beyond.