Feeling guilty about social worker guards confined (9)
I believe the answer is:
repentant
'feeling guilty' is the definition.
I can't judge whether this defines the answer.
'about social worker guards confined' is the wordplay.
'about' becomes 're' (regarding).
'social worker' becomes 'ant' (ants are social insects).
'guards' indicates putting letters inside (inserted letters are guarded).
'confined' becomes 'pent' (similar in meaning).
're'+'ant'='reant'
'reant' going around '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" .)