Hi all, my question is simple the one placed as my subject, does age really matter in social work?
I was told by a practitoner who has just recently been qualified for over 2 year's , " i don't think you should be a social worker, i don't think your ready, your too young, don't go into social work when you finish".
I asked what about the work i have done?, response being " i can't comment on that as i haven't seen your work".
I am 21 and a social work student. As every one, social work is a life long learning process, but as stated, i am passionate but mostly i have done excessive amount of work for the children in my cases and their families as that is my duty. I have even been said by senior pract and chair of the conference i held at my brilliance of presentation, work etc.
My only barrier is that i have problems is that i have similar diagnosis of dyslexia but i have never let that stop me, isntead i spend more hours make sure the job is done.
In regards to experience i have a range of long term expereince in numerous sectors, But a part of me just feels down about her comment as she already knew i was feeling low. kick them low more i guess
Did you ask her to define what she meant by 'not ready'? It is her job as a practice educator to prepare you for your role as a social worker, a social worker cannot be made overnight.
Experience does come with age that is true but sadly so does cynicism.
Think I read your post wrong and assumed you were talking about your practice educator, if it's just another social worker I would just say who cares what their opinion is! Move on, do your best, and hopefully in a few years you will be his/her boss and make their life hell!
I get the impression that a lot of people think that a graduate of 21 hasn't had enough life experience or related work experience to be "ready" for social work. However this is a huge assumption isn't it? I wouldn't like to assume what life experiences somebody has had due to their age - one 21 year old may have gone through a lot more challenging situation than one 40 year old.I think being "ready" is a combination of life experience, work experience, sound theoretical knowledge, proven practice skills and many more things. I think that it would be hard for a colleague to judge you on these things unless they have spent a lot of time with you and seen how you work.
And like someone else said, NQSW cannot know everything, they are at the beginning of their career. They will continue to learn throughout their entire working life.
(You don't know what it's like to have a baby, or have debts, or screaming kids around your feet all day, or an old man/woman who beats you up, having drunk the weeks allowance, etc. etc.)
Answer is it depends on the "client"; to some it will, to others it wont.
I don't doubt the under thirties are disadvantaged and have to demonstrate an understanding that maybe, say the more mature, would not have to.
Once that is done, should not make much difference. (As long as you don't have tats and piercings.)
It's all about first impressions.
I have come across many young SW students who I have had no doubts would make great SWs. I have also come across a few who were just far too immature in their development and life experience that even with all the theory in the world under their belts would make hopeless social workers. The most recent one of the latter kind to her credit knew she was too young and immature and planned not to go straight in to social work. One day she will make a very good social worker with that level of insight...but not just yet.
Thank you all for your replies. This person isn't my practice asessor but within the same team as me. In regards to my age i agree there are sterotypes. i'm 21 but.. i have gone through emotional, mental, physical abuse from my father since i was 12-16 at which time i was vulnerable and was groomed by a peadophile. i have been through so much and instead i stayed strong by going to domestic violence traning (3 month programme) , helping others, getting safeguarding traning for children and adults, i have done ALOT of voluntary work for set amount of months to enable me to get a insight.
I agree social work itself it's going to take me more time to try to learn everything, but i am a "do-er" i in-coperate everything. Just feel's unpleasent being defined by your age, funny things being service user's respect me and thank me for the great work i am doing. Thank you all
Time heals all wounds.
Like any profession you start with a core set of skills-age is a number you can be old for your age. but truth is the public do see younger social workers as ineffecient, lacking life expereince insight and punching bags. Lets hope that you meet few of those in your job who voice those views openly who quite probably cant see your side of the situation, no matter how hard you try.
You wont get much sympathy, but dont create a situation where you leave yourself open to behaviors from joe public that see you as an easy target for their frustrated verbal outbursts or anger that perhaps with older social workers wouldnt occur . However you will get sympathy and support from peers-so on a balance weighing things up careers take time work at it nurtue it.
The truth is that once you are post qualified, few social work roles enable you to be appreciated for what you do....everyone loves to hate a social worker. If you were older, there would be people (service users and workers) that would suggest you were 'past it'. It's a blame culture.
You have to learn to take things less personally...not saying that's easy, but it's something you have to develop. So, rather than be defensive and try to justify yourself (why should you?), you could ask yourself why the person feels the need to say that....that may tell you much more.
Shirack:Once that is done, should not make much difference. (As long as you don't have tats and piercings.) It's all about first impressions.
No idea if I'm coming to this late - not read the entire thread - but I'm really hoping that you Shirack aren't retreating into petty generalisations again. I have tattoos and piercings (visible and hidden), and clearly this immediately overrides any experience, qualities or qualifications which I have.
This is an old topic, I am aware, but regardless - I'm getting sick and tired of having to address it.
'He that is taught only by himself has a fool for a master' - HST.
AOGT: Shirack:Once that is done, should not make much difference. (As long as you don't have tats and piercings.) It's all about first impressions. No idea if I'm coming to this late - not read the entire thread - but I'm really hoping that you Shirack aren't retreating into petty generalisations again. I have tattoos and piercings (visible and hidden), and clearly this immediately overrides any experience, qualities or qualifications which I have. This is an old topic, I am aware, but regardless - I'm getting sick and tired of having to address it.
The thing is if your doing something that sets you apart from the norm then there are going to be benefits and consequences to it - people judging you based on first impressions is a fact, particularly in social work. Its whether being seen as different is a strength in social work or not, and whether you can cope with the negative assumptions that some will make whatever is in a code of conduct.
If I come into work wearing an etonian tie and a regimental blazer, and I know that these are "generally" emblems of upper class conservatism, why would I get upset if people might initially be cautiously considering that I might harbour upper class conservative attitudes?
Me and a very recent cohort deciding of ourselves to redefine these ties and blazers as a post modern ironic emblem of multi-cultural liberalism, or even value free colourful fashion won't make it thus for the rest of the population.
I shouldn't get upset with people and start accusing them of bigotry if they advise me that it may be a hinderance to my community outreach work with the homeless.
Try telling a chicken that not all things that look like a fox are dangerous,they could be artistic free spirited hedgehogs with a creative wardrobe.
Humans and animals first genetically embedded survival technique is to make judgements at a distance from visual cues.Some animals give off false visual cues so they will be left alone.
For that reason we all try to give visual cues and clues as to who we are or who we want to be seen as.
If some people see tatoos as being signs of rebellion and non conformity, and others even a message that " If I am brave enough to look like this you had better not mess with me"
you need to be aware of that. You are not going to change them if you don't get close enough to speak to them about it, and the whole thing about visual cues is that they want that way so people can decide whether they want to come closer or not.
Once people do get know you, these things become invisible as messages but people don't get to know us if we have already screened them out with our non verbal information.
And this again links to why people choose cosmetic surgery and to try to diguise age ( youth or advanced) because without the "right" visual cues it is harder toeven get to the starting line with the rest of the runners.
Sorry kazyk but you'll need to get used to hearing this from service users, other professionals and even colleagues. I've heard it even when I was 27 and yes, a personal favourite has always been the "You don't have kids" one. It is not fair, and it will be upsetting at the beginning, but remember this is more often than not the issue of the person who says it and not something to do with you. I am afraid some people will always think you are fair game when they are out to manipulate or undermine Social Workers and with some professionals you do need to work hard and prove yourself to earn their trust, particularly in troubled frontline offices. It is good practice to reflect in supervision on the areas where you may be out of your depth - but that goes for any age and background. Putting people down does not teach them anything and it does not help them in any way/. This is something you will want to remember the next time somebody tells you that maybe a young person is too young to be a successful parent, or too immature to be trusted with some independence.
personally I think age definatley matters.
I'm 21 and despite having achieved good qualifications and having loads of experience when I go to meetings I'm half the age of the people there, if not third the age and I feel that straight away they think I'm not going to have much to say/offer. Some people have been really friendly but I do feel I have to prove myself continuously.
In regard to actually working with others, the young people I work with definatley think of me differently because I'm young and despite the fact it has its advantages, they listen more, talk easily to me, dont feel pressured by me etc i feel they dont respect me/speak to me like they should because of my age and the fact I look quite young. Whats more some of the young people I work with are older than me and I feel patronising speaking to them!
When i first started my job it really bothered me and I felt excluded from meetings etc because I had nothing in common with anybody else either i.e. children, families etc however I've learnt just to get over it basically, theres nothing you can do about it, you have worked hard for your qualifications and your experience and even if you do have to prove yourself for the next 2 years or so until you're older you still get to do a job you enjoy and make a difference, and thats what matters most.
All i can say, is that being so young I feel like I am able to relate to the young people more and work with them in different ways to which older people might, being young shouldnt stop you, you have something that most people dont have and thats that you can relate to how they may be feeling because it could have been you only a couple or so years ago (or even now) whereas you could say older people cant remember what its like to be young and be pressured by friends and worry about the kids in school etc.
theres always going to be old biddies hating the younger ones who come along and kick their ass but then theres some really nice older people who you can learn alot from and who are happy to help you :)
It is difficult being a youngster in Social Work, you just cannot please everybody, including other professionals who have their own fixed views, and on top of that many parents' find it easy to deflect their problems / defecits by focussing on the social worker's age and whether they are a parent.
It does make you lose confidence and question your judgement, but it does get easier - you get used to it, and you get older.
I'm 30 now, just on the cusp of what many feel is the right age to become a social worker, and I do feel that people question my judgement far less, I have a little more 'gravitas' with all the people I work with, and I am right more often than I used to be. However, there can be disadvantages in growing up; 7 years ago I didn't have to work so hard to engage teenagers as they felt they had more in common with me, I also have become a little more cynical, which is never a good thing. With more confidence, comes less critical reflection, which is so important to maintain (and dangerous to forget).
I suppose the message is to hang in there, and , to be honest, if you are asking the question, you are probably mature enough.
it's great being a 26 year old bloke. the kids can tell i'm not "old" and the adults assume i must be in my thirties. the wedding ring and tattoos help.
trodge: it's great being a 26 year old bloke. the kids can tell i'm not "old" and the adults assume i must be in my thirties. the wedding ring and tattoos help.
How exactly does marital status and a penchant for tattoos help? Help what? Do you mean they reassure you enough to feel confident in your social relationships? Is that what you're saying?
The think about age is, the best one to be is either in front of you or behind you...its never "now"
i personally believe age really matters in social work, i am 19 years old and i recently went for a university interview for BA degree in social work which i failed because i didn't have enough experience and i was too honest about the little experience i have. the people i met at the interview were mostly matured people with enough life experiences and that actually put me off, i lost confidence and knew i wasn't going to get through even before the interview started. quite a lot i expected of young aspiring social workers, i think they expect us to know as much as they do (which not very possible ) social work like you said is a ''life long learning process'' and although i am one of the best student in college with good reference, i might be unable to get into any of the university to study this course, i might need to take gap years to gain the necessary experience required and if that happens, my chances of wanting to go back into education is very low. i am so determined to get into uni this year but the requirements is just a dream killer for someone like me been an international student who have only been in england for less than 2 years, what experience do they expect me to have other than work placements and part-time job which i've had for only 1 year.
no, Ana. i don't mean that. the wedding ring means the adults assume i'm older. the tattoos mean i'm immature (Shirack et al 2010 - 2012), so the kids know i'm not "old". but i thought i'd already said that...
Shirack: Can't trust a transitional.
Can't trust a transitional.
they call me Chameleon.
trodge: no, Ana. i don't mean that. the wedding ring means the adults assume i'm older. the tattoos mean i'm immature (Shirack et al 2010 - 2012), so the kids know i'm not "old". but i thought i'd already said that...
Ana? Even I'm not that familiar with me.
Did they teach you these presentation strategies at University?
You seem to need to reflect the age of others.....not possible, unless they are 26. How's it going to work as you get older? Do you see your skills with younger people decreasing?
My Dad has tattoos and he is a mature 67. He will be heartened to know that he's 'down with the kids'.
presentation strategy? nope. just a wrong presumption on my part, by the look of it... sorry, redana (is that a proper noun, and should i call you Redana?)
not sure how you reached the conclusion that i need to reflect the age of others...
all i meant is being relatively young doesn't really affect me at work. i'm 26. i've worked in CP for 4 years. i don't announce my age at work, but people seem to react to me ok: parents i have worked with have assumed i'm older (which i facetiously put down to being married) and many of the young people i work with get on with me really well (which i facetiously put down to having tattoos, which Shirack has said elsewhere equated with immaturity - maybe t helps me connect sometimes)
your apparent need to denigrate me is wholly unjustified.
in answer to your question: i'm not sure whether i'll find it harder to connect with young people as i get older. i imagine the first impression will be more difficult but the longer term will be better...
The things you have to do to keep your job!
"Santa gets Tatoos and learns to speak lush innit?" "The Sun", December15th 2015
( See lottery results page2)
trodge: presentation strategy? nope. just a wrong presumption on my part, by the look of it... sorry, redana (is that a proper noun, and should i call you Redana?) not sure how you reached the conclusion that i need to reflect the age of others... all i meant is being relatively young doesn't really affect me at work. i'm 26. i've worked in CP for 4 years. i don't announce my age at work, but people seem to react to me ok: parents i have worked with have assumed i'm older (which i facetiously put down to being married) and many of the young people i work with get on with me really well (which i facetiously put down to having tattoos, which Shirack has said elsewhere equated with immaturity - maybe t helps me connect sometimes) your apparent need to denigrate me is wholly unjustified. in answer to your question: i'm not sure whether i'll find it harder to connect with young people as i get older. i imagine the first impression will be more difficult but the longer term will be better...
Tro' I'm not denigrating you- but denigrating the view that what you are wearing is the important issue re maturity. Surely maturity is measured by what you say and how you say it?
It's great you get on with colleagues and service users, but hopefully they like you because you have built good relationships with them and they would still like you without the wedding ring and the tattoos.
Re the original question; does age matter? Not really, but maturity does. My view only.
Happy days.
ok, but i already said i was being facetious... and i was talking about the impression presentation can have on other people, not what i think about marriage or tattoos.
people do make assumptions, so what you say and how you say it aren't the only indicators of maturity. they might be the most accurate, but they aren't all that are used to make a judgement.
also, i didn't say that i would be unliked if i was unmarried and unadorned, i said they help. i didn't say they helped me to be liked.
back on topic...
but, i think that young social workers who try to come across as "mature" are often thought of as preachy know-it-alls, or they come across as sanctimonious and affected... i think that's because some think that maturity is about strict regimentation and professionalism, but i think it's about being more rounded.
sorry, that probably isn't very clear
redana: Tro'
Tro'
pretty close.
i assumed you were called Ana having noticed you are a woman and knowing that is a woman's name. i assumed the "Red" was a political statement (maybe you were some kind of lefty) and that you'd run the two together, which i thought was smart. pretty sure i apologised for the mistake already, but if not, i am sorry for abbreviating your avatar to "Ana".
“Maturity is knowing when to be immature.”
Randall Hall quotes
Rupert M: “Maturity is knowing when to be immature.” Randall Hall quotes
Unlike Talisker and Pont l’Eveque
Silver Sage: Rupert M: “Maturity is knowing when to be immature.” Randall Hall quotes Unlike Talisker and Pont l’Eveque
I posted on room 101 about the absurdity of putting a room in a room.
Up their own bottoms springs to mind reading this thread.
trodge: redana: Tro' pretty close. i assumed you were called Ana having noticed you are a woman and knowing that is a woman's name. i assumed the "Red" was a political statement (maybe you were some kind of lefty) and that you'd run the two together, which i thought was smart. pretty sure i apologised for the mistake already, but if not, i am sorry for abbreviating your avatar to "Ana".
Political statement?
'Red or Dead' or I'm just not goin' in to work.
Shirack: Silver Sage: Rupert M: “Maturity is knowing when to be immature.” Randall Hall quotes Unlike Talisker and Pont l’Eveque That's nice.
Wasted.
Hi there,
I am 19 and in my first year. I have recently received similar comments due to my age which left me a little speechless and embarrassed as it was in front of the people I was working with. The comments were along the lines of ''the best social workers are in their 40s, you will not be ready to be a social worker'' ''you need life experience, young social workers do not know enough''.
I was left questioning whether I was to young to continue with my degree and had lost a lot of confidence in my ability to succeed. I spoke to a few people and had realised, which may also help people in the same situation, that everyone has to start somewhere. I personally think that all professionals learn continuously and believe that it is valuable to learn at a younger age. As a young person I do now recognise the benefits where I have just come out of education and therefore, recently learning how to write essays and to write reflectively are still fresh. I feel that by having a basis of knowledge I can steer myself into areas I feel I need to build whilst also building my career. I have many more views but these were part of my reflection afterwards. I am personally planning to finish my degree and travel to gain the 'life experience' that I need and to take some time out to decide what I would like to do. I do not feel age matters in social work, instead it is years in practice and that whatever age you are learning is a continual process.
I hope this helps anyone in the same posititon
L
I am just like you. In the sense that I went through a lot of stuff when I was a child, and as a result, it has made me want to become a social worker, and help prevent other vulnerable people being hurt, especially children. Experience does not just come with having children; it comes with a lot of things. I am turning 20 soon, and I will be 20 when I start the course. I am aware that I am probably going to be the youngest, or one of the youngest in the class, but I am determined to not let it get to me. Social work is not an easy course to do from what I have read. You need to be thick skinned. Also, you have to start somewhere. Don't let it get to you.