by Helen Bonnick
My first social work job after qualification in 1983 was in a pilot project called the "patch team". I worked alongside a second social worker, two family assistants, a home care team and admin support under a senior social worker, in a geographically distinct area of about 6,000 homes.
There were three primary schools, a police station with a real bobby who walked his beat, a local housing office, a thriving community organisation and a laundrette, which was where you went to find out anything else. Our office was in the heart of the community and folk wandered in and out all day. We knew the people of the area and we could intervene early when needed but we were also on hand in times of crisis. This was the essence of why I came into social work.
Then there was "Cleveland" and social work retreated to big central offices where the expertise to respond to a flood of sexual abuse referrals could be better managed and co-ordinated. Now again we are seeing new developments in social care delivery, whether it be social work units in Hackney, or a pilot project in Westminster. There are huge advantages in local delivery of social services, whether or not it is embedded in other, perhaps universal services, such as social workers and health visitors doing joint visits.
Professionals in universal services need and want to work more closely with social workers. For this to be effective, all parties need to trust each other better. Trust comes through the building of relationships, time spent listening and working together - and it must be a two-way process. These relationships will go a long way towards building a wider range of expertise in universal services and a greater confidence in child protection referrals.
Social workers will find strong allies for their cause among other professionals, since all ultimately want the same thing: children and families with safer, healthier and more fulfilled lives.
Helen Bonnick is a social worker and formerly a supervisor of school-home support workers
(Laundrette picture: flickr mistress_f)
My first social work job after qualification in 1983 was in a pilot project called the "patch team". I worked alongside a second social worker, two family assistants, a home care team and admin support under a senior social worker, in a geographically distinct area of about 6,000 homes.There were three primary schools, a police station with a real bobby who walked his beat, a local housing office, a thriving community organisation and a laundrette, which was where you went to find out anything else. Our office was in the heart of the community and folk wandered in and out all day. We knew the people of the area and we could intervene early when needed but we were also on hand in times of crisis. This was the essence of why I came into social work.
Then there was "Cleveland" and social work retreated to big central offices where the expertise to respond to a flood of sexual abuse referrals could be better managed and co-ordinated. Now again we are seeing new developments in social care delivery, whether it be social work units in Hackney, or a pilot project in Westminster. There are huge advantages in local delivery of social services, whether or not it is embedded in other, perhaps universal services, such as social workers and health visitors doing joint visits.Professionals in universal services need and want to work more closely with social workers. For this to be effective, all parties need to trust each other better. Trust comes through the building of relationships, time spent listening and working together - and it must be a two-way process. These relationships will go a long way towards building a wider range of expertise in universal services and a greater confidence in child protection referrals.
Social workers will find strong allies for their cause among other professionals, since all ultimately want the same thing: children and families with safer, healthier and more fulfilled lives.
Helen Bonnick is a social worker and formerly a supervisor of school-home support workers
(Laundrette picture: flickr mistress_f)
