Feeling guilty about social worker guards confined (9)
I believe the answer is:
repentant
'feeling guilty' is the definition.
I can't tell whether this definition defines the answer.
'about social worker guards confined' is the wordplay.
'about' becomes 're' (regarding).
'social worker' becomes 'ant' (ants are social insects).
'guards' means one lot of letters goes inside another (inserted letters are guarded).
'confined' becomes 'pent' (similar in meaning).
're'+'ant'='reant'
'reant' enclosing 'pent' is 'REPENTANT'.
Can you help me to learn more?
(Other definitions for repentant that I've seen before include "Contrite" , "Feeling remorse for misdeeds" , "sorry state" , "showing contrition" , "Regretful" .)