Insults within social work are a complex phenomenon with both professional and ethical dimensions. Following the reintroduction in 2025 of the provision on insult against public officials, the study aims to problematize the concept of “insults” in the new Chapter 17, Section 3 of the Swedish Penal Code (1962:700) by analysing how social workers within the child and family sector discursively articulate insults from clients. Using qualitative semi-structured digital interviews via Zoom and Teams, the study explores how language use and conceptual understanding shape professional roles, relational work and ethical scope for action, as well as how legal and ethical requirements are balanced in practice. Results show that “insult” functions as a nodal point around professionality, relational work and the best interests of the child, while insults are interpreted as situational and relational rather than as distinct violations. Social workers develop experience-based strategies and collegial norms to interpret and manage insults, emphasizing professional discretion. The law appears symbolic, while relationships, ethics and the child’s best interests constitute the hegemonic discourse. Insults are perceived as rare in one’s own practice and are often attributed to “others”, highlighting how perceived offense is discursively constructed as unprofessional. The study underscores the need for further research on how subjective perceptions, organization cultures and normalization of insults influence professional identity, relational work and the work environment, with implications for further policy development, education and support structures in social work.