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?

I have to meet a ss in a few weeks, was thinking of starting off by establishing a few ground rules. Does this sound unreasonable to expect?!

1. Please treat me as a human, just like yourself. Respect, politeness, privacy are basics. Threats, rudeness and bullying are inappropriate. I do not have to accept this from you just because I need adult social care. It doesn't make me a lower form of life.

1. Please deal with me according to your legal obligations, and follow correct procedure. Please don't lie to me about procedure and statutory requirements, it will not save you time or money to work in violation of legislation.

1. Please aim to keep records and restrict notes to factual truths. Likewise, I do not have to accept factual errors you / your team have put in official paperwork. I will be checking through and you have a duty of care to correct any factual errors, whether mistakes or otherwise. I keep full and complete records and so 'losing' or bad record keeping on your side cannot be used to defend anything that isn't actually true.

1. Please don't make discriminatory assumptions about physical disability. I am actually 'allowed' a job. I am actually 'allowed' to have a home. I am actually 'allowed' a child (& my child is allowed to have me as their parent). I am fully capable of making decisions, physical disability has no bearing on mental or emotional state.

1. Please listen and take account if my personal situation. Not all disabled people are the same. For example, I don't have a wheelchair as I am too ill to sit up in it, don't assume a wheelchair is the ultimate sign of disability

1. Please do not threaten to take my child off me unless I agree with you. Its illegal, against multiple laws regarding myself but also the rights of my child. Its also incredibly cruel. As a threatening tactic, it also won't work. Ditto trying to declare me incompetent if I don't agree with you. This is also illegal, and cruel.

I can't see what you did to deserve that roasting filee.

You said early on you'd only just started the course and were excited, I thought you were just after chatting about it and I'm surprised anyone else would think otherwise.

What is it to you how the OP does in the course FukThe?

Her enthusiasm seems to annoy the fuck out of you, why do you want to put a dampener on that? To take her down a peg or two?

I've had only very minor contact with SWs and I've got an opinion on them, the OP can think what she wants.

I know chips when I see them, and I can't see how you've come to the conclusion that the OP's got one on her shoulder.

With what?

I am the mother of a child with complex health needs. My experience with social workers has been very positive. THe Local Authority must have very good recruitment and selection policies or else my family have been very lucky in being allocated two very good professionals one after the other who have made a big difference in keeping my family functioning and going forward under very difficult circumstances.I have been very impressed with how each social worker advocated for my child particularly in meetings with other professionals. They did listen, they kept their focus on my child, they were professional and they deserve every penny they were paid and more!

I think some people are being harsh to the op. I have worked with so many abused children, but you have to have the ability to switch off to a certain extent. You cant let it affect your home life,as thats what causes people to breakdown etc.

Its either something you can cope with, or it isnt imo. I care deeply, but if you dont protect yourself then you cant empower others.

Preciousbane - It depends on your area however here its rare to be on 26k.

Lots of cynical world weariness here.
The OP came on excited, to discuss the course she;s doing. Why the slightly malicious "you'll learn" posts?
And of course she'll do long hours, most jobs require them. I'm sure she realises that.

What a bizarre thread. Way to knock someone down when they are enthusiastic about a new chapter in their life

OP good luck with your studies. I hope you got some information from the thread which was useful.

doublelife Were you thinking of laying out these rules with the SW who visits you? I can tell you as a SW that if i went to visit someone for a first meeting they laid down 'rules' i would not be happy. I treat all my clients with respect and honesty. I sincerely hope you listen to what they have to say first and tailor any responses based on that.

I always tell clients that they know their own children/lives better than i do and that i will listen to everything they have to say and take it into account. I also try to make decisions in partnership with clients and accept that they may challenge me on points. However i have a legal obligation to protect children so will make difficult decisions going against a parents views if it is in the best interests of a child.

I hope you have a positive experience when your SW visits and that you can both work together to get a positive outcome for you.

OP, I wish you luck with your career. I really think its one of those thankless jobs that everyone has opinions on, mostly negative. What does a social worker do? Try to make the best decisions for people for the best outcome for their clients but with limited resources and with heavy workloads. I can't imagine having to live with making the wrong decision.

Thanks for starting this thread OP. I am hoping to start a Masters in SW next year, and I have found it very interesting reading. Good luck in your studies.

I did know who my governing body was actually way before I even went to the access course let alone start at uni. If you think that gives you carte Blanche to call me a twat Altinkum do carry on- says more about you I'm afraid.

Gold star for you then

Not sure if this is at all relevant to this thread, but according to another thread I have been lurking on, there are a lot of unemployed qualified social workers, which rather surprised me.

Why is everyone being so mean on this thread? There really is no need. The OP is an enthusiastic student setting out on her chosen career. Of course she doesn't know things- that is why she is at university - to LEARN things.

Good luck OP. Being a SW is a hard job but very rewarding. Enjoy your time at uni.

altinkum Sorry - you are right. It is only a few people who are being mean. The rest are being very supportive. My poor choice of words.

I work in the NHS and many of my colleagues lose track of changes
Everyone tires of constant re-structures and political dabbling, Local Authority are the same
It doesn't follow that they are not good at their jobs

Fut, the OP is on her course to learn. She started this thread to learn, outside of her course. And yet all you're doing is telling her how crap she is. Is there a reason you can't be supportive?

altinkum No worries. [smile) It is Sunday morning; no time to be fully engaging the brain.

And i had an emoticon fail

I haven't told her she's crap at all talk about projecting. I've said she appears to be a know all type who doesn't seem keen on listening to others but I'm far from the only one either.