The idea of recovery within Irish mental health services have undergone dramatic changes. Historically, the person was considered the problem and in need of treatment. Many people using services experienced institutionalisation. Recovery is now seen as a personalised journey where people are influential in determining their treatment plan. However, these aspirations regarding recovery have continued to face challenges in service culture. One reason is the multiple perspectives involved in recovery orientated services. This has resulted in different competing ideas in how recovery should be experienced and delivered in practice. Concurrently, the changing understanding of recovery has increasingly converged towards the perspective of the social worker. Now, there is a need for a philosophy which is not just a personalised journey, but also one which incorporates a social recovery perspective. Ultimately, the role of social work can lead to an increased focus on agency, empowerment, and a sense of belonging moving forward.