I was a bit baffled by that comment in the programme as I've had more bemusement/interest than any kind of negative reaction to telling people I'm a social worker. I think my family have been proud that I have a 'respectable profession' with a relatively stable job.
Maybe it's because I don't work with children, I don't know.
I may occasionally have had a comment over the year in social settings but I find it easy to brush off and it doesn't detract from my pride in being a social worker. So yes, I'm very proud of being a social worker and don't shy from telling people in informal settings (ie out of work) that it's what I do. Sometimes we might chuckle about it but I've never pretended I did anything else or had snide comments (OK, I occasionally get people jokingly asking me to section people like the Prime Minister)
As for details of cases, I've never found it difficult to brush people off although mostly people are actually interested in the kind of work I do once we get through the 'child snatching' barrier.
Interesting there is a new thread on being proud to be a social worker.
I always was and felt a little superior when asked what I did. The usual response being; "Oh I couldn't do that ........ I'd get too involved"
I used to think about that response and what they were really saying.
Concluded that they felt you had to be cold vicious barst**d to do the job.
Then I thought how wrong they were but now I'm not so sure. Seems to fit in with my theory of where the powers that be are taking the service. There is a definite change in qualities looked for, post Thatcher.
Shirack,
Was wondering if you could please clarify what you think the essential characteristics are of a Social Worker? I read with interest your posts but sometimes am left a little uncertain where you stand. Do you think a Social Worker has to be the 'cold hearted' one you mention or that they should be more emotionally involved? I also wonder how this relates to current (and recent) Social Work students who seem to be regarded as somewhat lesser than previous students?
This is in no means a poorly disguised 'dig', I am genuinely interested in what you have to say.
Me too!
I can't answer for Shirack...(!!??) but the ability to slavishly fill out assessment frameworks, complete proforma action plans with pre-defined options, fill out the ethnicity survey forms, ....not to mention templates and pro-formas for data and PI gathering instruments, document and maintain your CPD training evidence portfolio......these are all new "essential qualities", which displace the time we used to spend in face to face dynamic interactive casework.
Corespondence; We used to get three to five letters a day, reply to them ( typed by an admin assistant) and it would be at least a week before you got a reply through the mail. These days replies by e-mail are often instant, and therefore you are dealing with ten times the correspondence per day you ever used to.This also displaces the time for the traditional valued skills.
The ability to conduct an interview on the street of a council scheme within earshot of passers by with two securiy guards labelled "SECURITY" standing arms length away in black uniforms ( Protecting our Children BBC mon6th Feb) is also an essential quality we didn't look for by in the sepia coloured days.
Its interesting also that the concept of having the time for "promoting Social Welfare" and Community empowerment work has gone and would be seen as the role of an occassional and temporarily funded prestige project.
Makes a good case for Group 4 to take over!!! (There are other Security companies who might also wish to tender!!!). Their vans are well recognised and perhaps the general public could flag them down if they wanted assistance - save ending up queuing on the 'phone for the local Contact Centre.
balburn: Shirack, Was wondering if you could please clarify what you think the essential characteristics are of a Social Worker? I read with interest your posts but sometimes am left a little uncertain where you stand. Do you think a Social Worker has to be the 'cold hearted' one you mention or that they should be more emotionally involved? I also wonder how this relates to current (and recent) Social Work students who seem to be regarded as somewhat lesser than previous students? This is in no means a poorly disguised 'dig', I am genuinely interested in what you have to say.
These are just a few of the top of my head but I could go on all afternoon.
Thanks for being interested enough to ask.
How about being non-judgemental and anti-oppressive?
Rupert M: How about being non-judgemental and anti-oppressive?
Ah....Non Judgemental... I'm not judgemental, I'm assessmental.
And one man's oppression is another man's protection!!
Discuss!
im really hoping thats not you rupert
I find it really hard to talk about my job. I don't advertise to the general public that I am a social worker and when I worked in residential services would say I was a carer (easier for people to get a mental image of, although still not accurate).
My family aren't really interested - they find my career choices disappointing (although neither of them is a professional).
I wish my friends wanted to know the details of my job and types of cases I work with, nobody ever does, not really. When I try to talk about it the converstaion swiftly moves on. So I feel that friend-wise nobody truly understands what I do (I have had friends in the past who did).
I manage to successfully disguise my cold ruthlessness beneath an approachable and smiley exterior, which can give some people the wrong impression that I am 'too nice' (I am very nice, until I need to be something else).
I rarely get emotionally involved with anyone, service user or otherwise. I am the king of rapid administrative work and can get through the forms and things relatively quickly. I am becoming increasingly upset by the amount of emails I recieve though, especially the ones marked URGENT that require an immediate response lest all hell break loose.
No security guards here but because of my background am trained, practiced and experienced in use of physcial interventions and also getting my backside handed to me when they don't work. Instead of hiring security guards, why don't we train up social workers in the same way anyone else working where there is risk of physical violence is? Rather than having vans, we could ride motorbikes. That way, we could leave full leathers on when walking into the most dangerous situations.
My engaging personality, imposing presence, charisma (and good looks) are both a blessing and a curse (see 'too nice' assumption above, for one). I confess I can be a bit impatient. I do have time for religions and established institutions (why is not having time for them an essential characteristic?).
I am proud of what I do, not so bothered about the title 'social worker', I would be proud to be anything that makes things better.
I'm Erica, by the way. I tried to post an introduction on that part of the forum but it wouldn't let me for some reason - so - hello there.
Have to say that non-judgemental and anti-oppressive are kind of implied in Shirak's post. He / She is talking about real characteristics not just theory and I think what Shirack has said is spot on. Aspire to those things and you can't go far wrong.
supersonic:Shirack -- it was some comments you made on another thread that made me ask this .... Can't quite remember word for word but was something to do with why people now go into the profession ..... Also about social workers caring too much ... Definitely think the essential criteria has changed ... Silver sages tounge in cheek comments kind of sum it up.... Always thought that Being non judgemental was a bit of oxymoron .... Judgement goes with the job no?? It's what you do with the judgement that's counts ...
I have said previously that SW is about making judgements so it tickles me some times when people use it as a critical term. It is indeed an oxymoron.
Julian: Have to say that non-judgemental and anti-oppressive are kind of implied in Shirak's post. He / She is talking about real characteristics not just theory and I think what Shirack has said is spot on. Aspire to those things and you can't go far wrong.
EricaRose30: I find it really hard to talk about my job. I don't advertise to the general public that I am a social worker and when I worked in residential services would say I was a carer (easier for people to get a mental image of, although still not accurate). My family aren't really interested - they find my career choices disappointing (although neither of them is a professional). I wish my friends wanted to know the details of my job and types of cases I work with, nobody ever does, not really. When I try to talk about it the converstaion swiftly moves on. So I feel that friend-wise nobody truly understands what I do (I have had friends in the past who did). I manage to successfully disguise my cold ruthlessness beneath an approachable and smiley exterior, which can give some people the wrong impression that I am 'too nice' (I am very nice, until I need to be something else). I rarely get emotionally involved with anyone, service user or otherwise. I am the king of rapid administrative work and can get through the forms and things relatively quickly. I am becoming increasingly upset by the amount of emails I recieve though, especially the ones marked URGENT that require an immediate response lest all hell break loose. No security guards here but because of my background am trained, practiced and experienced in use of physcial interventions and also getting my backside handed to me when they don't work. Instead of hiring security guards, why don't we train up social workers in the same way anyone else working where there is risk of physical violence is? Rather than having vans, we could ride motorbikes. That way, we could leave full leathers on when walking into the most dangerous situations. My engaging personality, imposing presence, charisma (and good looks) are both a blessing and a curse (see 'too nice' assumption above, for one). I confess I can be a bit impatient. I do have time for religions and established institutions (why is not having time for them an essential characteristic?). I am proud of what I do, not so bothered about the title 'social worker', I would be proud to be anything that makes things better. I'm Erica, by the way. I tried to post an introduction on that part of the forum but it wouldn't let me for some reason - so - hello there.
Anyway welcome to the forum Sir.
'Julian' - are you sure?
I'm a firm believer in forced sterilisation for sections of our society but we would be left without a cabinet.
(Sorry somehow this got posted in the wrong thread)
Getting desperate now Rupert, don't you recognize when a tongue is in a cheek?
Ththzz wmy u cnt unstand my typosh
'Reason' - are you Shirack's long-lost love child?
I'm a child protection Social Worker and I don't disclose my profession to anybody unless they ask me what I do. It's definitely not something I shout from the rooftops and the minute you tell someone, you always get 'oh I couldn't do your job, how can you take people's kids off them, how did social workers get it so wrong with Baby P etc' And then as you say, some want to know everything about your cases, all the gory details etc. It's just not worth telling people! I prefer to live without the agro!
ive lived an easier life since i started lying about what i do - to people who i meet on a one off that is - its just not worth the hassle. sad but true. its the way im treated with suspicion that i cant handle - like im immediately an outsider. appreciate some peope might relish that tho
which bits imply being non-judgemental and which bits imply being anti-oppressive?
romeo2001: ive lived an easier life since i started lying about what i do - to people who i meet on a one off that is - its just not worth the hassle. sad but true. its the way im treated with suspicion that i cant handle - like im immediately an outsider. appreciate some peope might relish that tho
romeo2001: Julian: Have to say that non-judgemental and anti-oppressive are kind of implied in Shirak's post. He / She is talking about real characteristics not just theory and I think what Shirack has said is spot on. Aspire to those things and you can't go far wrong. which bits imply being non-judgemental and which bits imply being anti-oppressive?
I can predict most peoples views but yours don't seem to follow any pattern.)
Reason: Getting desperate now Rupert, don't you recognize when a tongue is in a cheek?
Shirack: Reason: Getting desperate now Rupert, don't you recognize when a tongue is in a cheek? Always listen to the voice of Reason.
Leave me out of this. (Daddy)
Just wondering:
How about maybe somewhat to the east of the left?
Not really into all the "you've got to know yourself" business?
Little bit fed up with seemingly acceptable mockery of the traditional?
More concerned with ensuring people's rights are preserved, that the 'just' thing is done, best outcomes are (hopefully) found whilst accepting limitations of resources/time...
Still the making of a 'proud' social worker?
I am not a practising social worker any more, but the skills are very useful in many situations and I'm pleased to have them.
Tony
Shirack: romeo2001: Julian: Have to say that non-judgemental and anti-oppressive are kind of implied in Shirak's post. He / She is talking about real characteristics not just theory and I think what Shirack has said is spot on. Aspire to those things and you can't go far wrong. which bits imply being non-judgemental and which bits imply being anti-oppressive? Try Brains and a strong sense of justice. (Romeo I sometimes wonder if you are two people, you have such polarised intelligence. I can predict most peoples views but yours don't seem to follow any pattern.)
i think thats code for "sometimes you agree with me and sometimes you dont" And just because I dont agree with you on some things doesnt mean Ive taken leave of my senses
Im still not convinced that a combination of brains and a strong sense of justice automatically leads you to being anti-oppresive and non-judgemental - its not a foregone conclusion by any means.
Shirack, thanks for the welcome,
I'm not religious. I think that to understand/assess/be more accurately judgemental, it helps to find out and learn about the religion or important established institutions that have featured in people's lives. That's why I have time for them.
I thought maybe I should clear that up, as I was wondering what you meant when you said my sentence speaks volumes about me!
EricaRose30: Shirack, thanks for the welcome, I'm not religious. I think that to understand/assess/be more accurately judgemental, it helps to find out and learn about the religion or important established institutions that have featured in people's lives. That's why I have time for them. I thought maybe I should clear that up, as I was wondering what you meant when you said my sentence speaks volumes about me!
Am I proud to be a social worker? No.
Proud of work I've done as a social worker? Yes.
The first is about image and status....because as has been said, people don't usually understand the role. So, it's a shallow concept.
I don't bleat about what I do, but if people ask I will tell them and usually they are just interested.
Public backlash? Stopped caring about that long ago.
One more thing; my friends and family form a view of me based on who I am, not what I do for a job.
Shirack: EricaRose30: Shirack, thanks for the welcome, I'm not religious. I think that to understand/assess/be more accurately judgemental, it helps to find out and learn about the religion or important established institutions that have featured in people's lives. That's why I have time for them. I thought maybe I should clear that up, as I was wondering what you meant when you said my sentence speaks volumes about me! Sorry I misunderstood the bit about religion, thanks for clarifying.
However, the comment that having time for relegious people spoke volumes about ERica Rose;;;; actually speaks volumes about Shirack's reaction to "those of faith"
I wonder how people who are so quick to demean / belittle / regard as deluded those 'of faith' can operate effectively as social workers.
I am proud to be a Social Worker. Always have been, always will. It is a fantastic profession, which at times saves people's lives. What's not to be proud of? There are Social Workers of which I am not proud, there are bureaucratic regulations which make me feel embarrassed and there are masses of paperwork which makes me despair, but for me that is no Social Work. I am ashamed of what Social Work is forced to become, I am very disappointed in the low status of the profession and the constant attacks from some parts of the society, but that is still not enough to make me feel less pride in being a Social Worker. If somebody asks me what I do, I say I am a "Child Protection Social Worker" - that's what I am, and I think I am decently good at it, too. Most people would comment that it is a difficult job, but somebody needs to do it. I never deny that there are parts of the job which are more difficult and unpleasant than others, and I will always feel troubled after removing a child, but I always think I would be more troubled if that child continued to be hurt or ended up dead.
Oh, and speaking of the pride in the profession, did you see the most popular article on BBC News? The Sun "victim of a witch hunt". How ironic, what goes around comes around... Even they could not make me feel any less of being a Social Worker, although they sure made others feel that way about my profession.
Rupert M: I wonder how people who are so quick to demean / belittle / regard as deluded those 'of faith' can operate effectively as social workers.
See what Baroness Warsi is saying about it! ( light the blue touch paper and retire immediately )
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-17021831