News

This week's diary is by a Diploma in Social Work student and part-time social worker.

Monday. Today is my first day on a placement in the unaccompanied asylum seekers team. I feel anxious because I've started five days late as the university has a shortage of placements. How am I going to speak to someone who can't speak English? I don't have my planned induction because the demanding workload and shortage of social workers mean I am allocated a case immediately. I go and meet him along with a social worker from the team. Before I realise it, it's time to go home. Feel too tired to study - maybe tomorrow night.

Tuesday. Spend today trying to come to terms with the processes I have to follow and the amount of pressure my colleagues are under. I organise the rest of my week, make appointments for my young client and introduce myself to the whole of the team. Wonder how 24 people cope with working in an office that has only eight desks and six computers? Take work home, so I'll have to study tomorrow night.

Wednesday. Arrive at the office early to find my day has been rescheduled. Take the train to London to see a firm of solicitors representing two other young unaccompanied asylum seeker children being looked after by the duty team because they haven't been allocated social workers yet. Arrive back at 3pm and type up their paperwork. Then visit my young person along with an interpreter. Spend two hours gathering information and then we all go for his check up at the doctor. The appointment is at 5pm and we get in two and a half hours later. Get home at 8.30pm, too tired to study and go straight to bed.

Thursday. Have an early meeting with my on-site supervisor who helpfully tries to juggle my schedule so I have time in the day to do my placement paperwork. She is dedicated and overworked, just like every other member of this team. Spend the day with my young person. Obtain his prescription from my own pharmacist and take him for x-rays, as he is quite ill. I get back to the office at late afternoon and find a computer to use to catch up on my paperwork.

Friday. The entire morning is spent in a team meeting and I realise just how stretched for time my team is. I've only been here for five days but already know how committed everyone has to be in order to provide an effective service. Every day they go above and beyond the call of duty. Take my young person shopping and arrive back at the hotel he's staying in at 5pm. His bedroom window is broken and by the time I leave it's 6pm. Supposed to meet the others for a drink after work but I am tired. A new unaccompanied asylum seeker minor has arrived so not many of my colleagues can go. Still have studying to do and know I'll have to go in to work tomorrow.