To ask what people think a social worker's job role is?

[filee777]

I am intrigued. I know this is in AIBU and its not really that sort of question but I want diverse and interesting opinions.

So what do you think a social worker does? What do you think a social work should do?

Even my books from 6 months ago are out of date because they refer to the National Occupation Standards are we are now assessed against the HCPC standards. I'm not chucking them though!

*and we are now assessed....

Maybe she'll listen to you guys....

Of course you don't just chuck away books after a few months! They might change the name of things but the concepts and the journey are still valid!

The book I mentioned is an E book available from the university, it is highly recommended and an important resource for us. As I have said, it's the first week of the first year, I am sure changes in policy will be addressed as we carry on. Really no need to worry too much about it.

I'll certainly amend my essay to clarify that the regulatory body has changed though, might get me an extra brownie point ;)

To be fair the regulatory body has only just changed, I only knew it was happening because I am regulated by the same body and I am a union steward so its my business to know
Go on-line and have a look at its website there is loads of useful info on there and you will really get brownie points
Good luck with your career choice
You could also consider health care professional- there is more than just nursing

Sorry OP starting a thread about this gives off an air of being slightly self absorbed. I find this very egotistical and hopefully after your learning journey over the next three years you may look back at your motives and I hope you would see this as pretty questionable to for a SSW.

Well I've sort of taken the plunge now and started the degree, plus am really enjoying it so far and eager to get more stuck in so doubt I will be switching.

Will most certainly have a look at the website, there is so much to read and learn! The first essay was just a taster essay anyway, it will not be marked, just used to help us understand what we need to do differently etc.

Still good idea to make sure I am extra clear on that point. I haven't really talked about the regulatory body, just used a quote to make a different point but as it is there I will clarify. Thanks again all!

I may need to hide this thread. Extra browny points please make sure all your learning is relevant to your current professional capabilities and standards of practice.

Sorry, can you please explain to me what is egotistical about asking others views on what social work is?

I really only asked it to get a range of ideas because I thought it would help me in my journey, I don't really understand why it's egotistical?

Just don't reference or over rely on a book from nearly a decade ago. A hell of a lot has changed since 2004 including the government several serious case reviews and health and social care policy

MrsD No, I know you weren't. :) SW is an ever changing profession. I've seen massive changes in the 2 years of my degree. Just yesterday, we had a lecture from a SW who's been doing the job for 28 years, she said; "if you hate bureaucracy and constantly changing policies, get out now!" I like that it's a job where you'll always be learning.

Of course I am going to reference a book my university has specifically asked me to read!

This thread is very strange...

Even qualified and senior SWs can make the odd questionable decision

We all have our bad days

Care managers no assess they are not carers they are unqualified social workers who assess and can work towards change, just as a social worker can not enforce change either. That's the job of a judge.

I think if you are constantly learning it is harder to get complacent, which is no bad thing.

I worry that all the energy spent renaming things could be better spent on actually streamlining support though.

Do assess that should be

Your university has asked you to reference a text that is nearly a decade old and WON'T contain a shit load of relevant policy frameworks and organisations pertinent to the area you are studying?

never mind brownie points... you are a trainee social worker and therefore should know already who your registering body is going to be!

I am a practice assessor for social work students, I would be disappointed if you came to me with the attitude you have currently to criticism... but i'm sure you wouldn't be as abrupt professionally as you are here?

As well as being a practice assessor I am a full time social worker with adults. I'm well paid in terms of my local population.... but i'm not well paid in comparison to the doctors, district nurses, teachers, lecturers, psychologists, specialist LD nurses and all of the various other professionals I come into contact with during and after my working hours.

Books might be a starting point but go out of date very quickly. Journal articles and cross referencing with google and blogs is the way forward. Local Authority social work is changing weekly... your university can't keep up let alone books!

For the record - I KNOW that most of the families work with probably think I am crap and that I don't communicate well and that I can't offer them what they really need. What they don't see and I can't tell them is that on a daily basis I am just firefighting. Kicking my legs just to keep afloat. That yes they may want to know about respite for their relative, but in the same day also I have to deal with people who are being abused, who are suicidal or who are a danger to themselves or others and unfortunately they have to take priority, and will probably have to take priority again tomorrow and the next day. I know you NEED to know about respite but there is a limit to what I can feasibly do during a working day.

Oh, and I was probably that 'bolshy' young trainee social worker on the masters course a few years ago. Funny that I don't see any of my older fellow students who clearly looked down on me still working in the profession now or even qualifying the course for that matter

good luck filee777 with your course, you are at the start of a very long personal and professional journey.

"They don't just change the name of things. They change the law.

And it is all about The Law. That is what SW are bound by"

Absolutely.

I'm only in the first week of my course, so far we have got our library log in and our course plan.

I really don't think it's a massive drama that we aren't yet completely aware of all the different names for stuff, that's why we are studying! We aren't even out on placement til next February.

Of course books are useful, I am sure any changes in policy and structure will be discussed in lessons (when we start having them)

People seem to be very defeatist. Are you all expecting me to say 'oh well I don't know this and that so I might as well give up and sit in a hole' that's the impression you give which is such a shame.

I have faith in my tutors and my course and I am sure we will be trained well.

I am sorry others don't seem so negative but it's certainly not going to ruin my excitement.

*others seem so negative