to expect social worker to...

[elliesm98]

To expect my child’s social worker (male, wears work boots) to offer to take his shoes off when he comes in when he knows I’ve just had carpets fitted. Or at least take them off when he goes upstairs to nose at the bedrooms

Did you ask?

I guess that depends on the reasons for him being there. I'm not trying to be offensive but if there's any suggestion of violence, or having to leave quickly, he should keep them on. If it's not a safety issue, you should ask. Many people are not accustomed to removing shoes indoors. Not a biggy, not worth worrying about.

Oh god..it's the whole shoes on shoes off debate again. No I wouldn't expect anyone to do that. If you wanted him to, you should have asked. Why has your child got a social worker?

I would have asked him to remove the boots.

He’s no doubt focussed on your child and welfare for some reason. Let him be.

i think that's reasonable to ask him to remove them. I'd just say next time he is at your home 'Hi please come in and if you could just leave your shoes on the mat/by the door that would be great'
Don't feel shy to speak up. It's just polite to take off shoes in the house imo anyway!

I am a social worker. I have never taken my shoes off in anyones house. I have had many. many clients kick off while i was in their house and have always been alert to the fact i may have to exit swiftly.

Just ask him. Unless of course he feels he can't/doesn't want to depending on the state of the carpet?

Hmm the safety thing could be a fair point... and maybe a standard rather than due to your specific circumstances. However, PP should not assume you have a SW for child protection purposes. They also support children with complex needs, disabilities, health conditions etc. My HV and midwife do always offer to take their shoes off. And I think this is the polite thing to do. X

Isn't that what doormats are for

Get those plastic bags you can put over shoes. Should keep the dirt off your carpets.

I’d never expect someone to offer to take their shoes off - it’s not something that’s default etiquette imho.

Surely you have bigger fish to fry if a social worker is visiting.

I wouldn't expect a SW to do this. I presume they're in the habit of keeping them on for the reasons mentioned already - in some homes a quick exit may be necessary.

I suppose you could get those blue shoe covers if you're concerned about your carpets.

Why has he got workman's boots on?

I have worked going in to people houses in a similar connected job as a sw and we were advised never to take our shoes off in a home for reasons of safety in case we needed to leave quickly.

I’m not a social worker but I have a job that involves lone working in private homes and our practice guidelines state that we should not remove footwear and keep our belongings with us at all times.

Things can and do kick off and I’ve had a knife held to my throat at someone's front door and various other incidents. I’ve had to make a quick get away more than once.

Having said that, my house is a shoes off house, but I don’t make my guests do the same and certainly not a visiting professional.

I agree with PPs that it kind of makes sense for a SW not to take their shoes off, as they do sometimes have to make a hasty exit. I've had plenty of SWs in my house, as an adoptive mum, and it's actually never occurred to me to think about that, there have always been more pressing concerns funnily enough.

Lizzie, I was thinking the same. When youngest child was still under SW when she was placed with me, we had far more important things to worry about than my floors(!)

Get a good door mat.

No, I wouldn't expect a social worker to remove his shoes. He might be in situations where he has to leave very quickly, he also might not like walking on dirty floors in his socks (not saying your house is dirty, but some will be).
Not sure what him wearing boots has to do with it, are they dirtier than normal shoes?

I wouldn't expect any guest to remove their shoes in my house much less somebody visiting in a professional capacity. If it really bothers you could you buy shoe covers and ask that he use those?

Someone wouldn't be coming in my house unless they took their shoes off or covered them with those plastic things. But he isn't a mindreader so you do need to ask.

Yabu to assume he will take them off. You could always ask him to or offer shoe covers?

I’m a SW and always offer to take mine off. BUT in the context of my visits it would be incredibly rare to have to leave suddenly. Some SWs would need to prioritise their safety more than I do.

No, I wouldn’t expect someone visiting my house in a professional capacity to take my shoes off. I’ve had a midwife and a HV visit this week, neither removed their shoes.

I think if it's obvious that a home owner has just had new carpets fitted there's no reason for a SW not to behave as politely as most of the human race would and offer to remove shoes in the winter. I think people on MN need to get past thinking SW's are a different species with different social norms applying to them. When my daughter was young she was very unwell for a long time and we had many professionals visit the home. From Consultant Paediatrician ( yes honestly but only once) to feeding specialist, GP's, H.V's etc. We didn't live in a grand house and there were no reason for more then usual hygiene but every single professional would ask if they should remove their shoes if it was wet and mucky outside. I would generally say No it's fine as don't like people to feel uncomfortable. However it was just good manners to ask