I going to be honest for once. Social workers as individuals are the most selfless, commited and resilient people i have ever met. You do get the very odd crap one but its rare and usually they started out good but have been growned down by the system. It is a system that is broken beyond what anyone can comprehend who hasn't had direct experience of it. Its on the bare bones. There is too much demand on a few descent caring devoted people and no where to send people too. Such as mental health support. No one chooses this career as an easy option. They put themselves through rigorous and expensive training because they are literally the salt of the earth snd care about individuals and society above themselves.
It is impossible to do the job. But they carry on. Giving their own time money and mental healtb away for no return.
I recently left. I did the job for a long long time. I can recall a couple of people im years that did not fit the above description. People who have such services involved are not in the best place for whstever reason so dont agree with what social workers are doing or saying as so sw get called shit, and thats ok, we dont care, we dont do it for likes, we understand people are lashing out due to being in a bad place.
I honestly saved children's lives in my time. I could tell you stories of children who would now be dead if i hadn't had made the decision i did at the time. You will never hear about it bit it happens every day.
I worked 7.30am-6pm. Fed my own dc then worked again 9pm till 3am most days and all unpsid. Id often pull several all nighters for free as did my colleagues. The work was never done. We can only tred water as there is nothing we can realistically do with no money or services.
I left with ptsd, vicarious trauma and had a nervous breakdown. My body couldn't take anymore no sleep and crap food and dealing with the worst of life.
People think they can do better. There are 100s of vacancies. You will be welcomed. Show us all hoe its done.