Sad Not Bad

Abstract

• Summary: The social work profession has a negative profile in news media but how is it presented in television drama? We report on a study of social workers and social care professionals in UK television drama between March and May 2003. Using detailed quantitative content analysis and qualitative thematic analysis we examine how characters are positioned within the fictional community (their role in storylines, personal and professional attributes, relationship with other characters). • Findings: Social care workers and social workers are largely synonymous in television drama and tend to feature in storylines concerning children (access disputes, fostering, adoption). However, our findings reveal an unexpected paradox. Television drama is apparently more likely to portray these characters in positive terms, as friendly, sympathetic and `good listeners'. At the same time, social care characters are represented as highly bureaucratic, isolated, sad individuals rather than an integral part of the — largely working class — community that they serve. • Applications: Television drama represents an important cultural resourcewhere stereotypes associated with news media may be challenged. If we are to gain a better understanding of why the profession is marginalized in television fiction it is important to explore the process of production with those who make the programmes.