I'm currently a social worker, for how long I'm not sure.
I have worked in frontline (child protection, court and children in care) and in roles like adoption and fostering too.
It's really really hard. There's never enough time/support/resources.
If you're in frontline roles you will be fire fighting. You'll be working well over your paid hours, you'll be working weekends and evenings doing all the paperwork you don't have time to do in your hours.
There are good bits and there will be rewarding days too but you really do have to be very resilient to get through it.
In terms of cases, it really depends on your role but in safeguarding you'll have neglect, abuse, children with non-accidental injuries, parents with mental health and addiction issues.
You'll be pretty unpopular with most of these families because a social worker turning up at your door is rarely welcomed. I have never been physically attacked but colleagues have. I have been verbally abused very regularly. Tensions are high, parents are frightened, stressed, worried.
You'll often have a really good understanding of what can be done to help these families, but they probably won't get it.
If you work with a children's disabilities team for example, there's less conflict and hostility but you and the families will be endlessly frustrated.
Child in care social work is very busy also, big caseloads and there are always placements in crisis and breaking down. Huge amounts of travel.
You could live in Essex and have a child placed in wales for example.
Fostering and adoption are different roles. Not without their challenges and pressures. You'd be assessing prospective carers/adopters and supervising/supporting them whist safeguarding the children in their care.
Still high case loads unless you go to independent agencies.
So I've painted a fairly bleak picture as have others but that's not the whole story.
I believe passionately in the role and I am proud to be a social worker. It is rewarding and you will help people and support them to make positive change.
All the hard bits of social work are manageable with:
Good management and support.
Lower caseloads.
Resources available to you.
Good annual leave and the time to take it.
Feeling safe and protected yourself as it's very hard to do your best for the children if you aren't ok yourself.
At the moment mostly that stuff isn't where it should be and social workers are trying to patch and fill those gaps which is relentless and soul destroying.
It's devastating to know that children aren't getting what they need to be safe, well and thriving.