Sam Worrad, a personal adviser in a children in care team in Leicestershire, is this week’s social work hero.
Although not a social worker, Kierrah Marriot, a senior practitioner in the team, said: “She has more [than] the required qualities and skills to be a fully qualified worker but she just has never wanted to take time away from the young people to further her career.”
This article is part of Community Care’s Stand up for Social Work campaign. We’re standing up for social work by being honest, offering support and providing inspiration.Marriot said she wished “every team throughout the UK” had someone like her in it.
“She is always so positive, and always is there for a shoulder to cry on,” Marriot said.
Credit to the profession
Sam’s 20 years of experience of working with difficult and challenging young people has helped enhance the skills of the team, Marriot said.
Sam Worrad.
“Sam has been working closely with a young mother aged 16 and her baby who has received non-accidental injuries. [She] has supported the young woman to address her mental health, her accommodation and helped with parenting styles,” Marriot said. She added that Sam is still in contact with many young people she has supported, and is a godmother to a child of a young woman, now 28, who had experienced significant abuse and used to lash out at professionals.
“Sam has been her constant support since age 15,” Marriot said.
“She is a credit to the social care profession.”
Sam, you are a social work hero, and a box of chocolates is on its way to you.
If you want to nominate someone to be a social work hero please email luke.stevenson@rbi.co.uk
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I thought ‘social worker’ was a protected title? A personal adviser is not a social worker and therefore shouldn’t be referred to as one.
Sam has never claimed to be a social worker. I nominated her due to her support, caring nature and complete commitment to the SOCIAL CARE profession. This outstanding worker could teach many qualified dipswa, BA and MA workers a thing or two. Lets support and encourage social support staff because without them we would be even more over worked.
It clearly says ‘although not a social worker’ and actually this is a lovely thing being recognised regardless- hard working and dedicated staff members are hard to find. If community care didn’t think it should have been published then they wouldn’t put it in. I say a big well done as I personally would be lost without good support staff in my team. I think it’s lovely that people are being recognised just a shame you’ve taken a lovely story and been negative