Within New Zealand there is a definite confusion between the role identity of social workers and support workers within community mental health services. Currently there appears to be a degree of confusion as to the distinguishing features of the two roles. The object of this preliminary investigation was to identify the similarities and differences within the two discipline areas. The themes identified through the thematic analysis indicated marked similarities between the two roles examined. The fundamental diferences identified were the level of qualification, compentencies, clinical work and experience of workers. Scopes of practice are considered as a means of offering individual identities for both disciplines.