Although I love my job (well i love the reason why I was led to believe that I was coming into the profession) I dont think that I would recommend being a SW to a friend. The reasons being are (in no particular order):
your thoughts?
I burnt out after a mere 38 years - perhaps us 'old uns' were made of sterner stuff!
If I remember correctly research was conducted with Social Workers and none of them whatsoever would recommend it as career. It was mentioned in one of these articles:rel="nofollow">http://www.oxfordjournals.org/our_journals/social/anniversary_papers.html
I seem to remember also reading that in the 70s and 80s most Social Workers left front line Social Work roles, within the first two years, to take up more senior roles or left the career completely.
I understand the average burn out is now 8 years. But at least there is a steady stream of new graduates to to keep the one way door out of the fire well stoked.
Rupert M: I burnt out after a mere 38 years - perhaps us 'old uns' were made of sterner stuff!
Dunno bout that. All the old school SW'ers who i've worked with say that back in the day it was a great job, it's only in recent years that it's become what it is
Well of course there are plusses to counter the minuses that you correctly identify.
- Variety and change in the average s/w working day
- It's a constant learning process
- Interesting to learn about people's lives, the issues they face and the strengths they use
- Can be fast paced and dynamic
- Can stretch the mind
- Can offer the opportunity to make positive change
It all depends on the person considering it. If the plusses, for them, outweigh the minuses I would still recommend it. Other professions are not without their problems too.
Selks: It all depends on the person considering it. If the plusses, for them, outweigh the minuses I would still recommend it. Other professions are not without their problems too.
that's quite correct, other professions face problems, however i've yet to meet a teacher/nurse/police officer who would swap jobs with me
teachers aren't expected to keep taking children into their classes, when they're full they're full....
jelly_tot04: Being stuck behind a computer for 90% of my time filling in the endless paperwork
This is the key to the whole sorry state of social work, though when the figure is reversed IE: 90% contact -v- 10% computer time, then social care jobs become minimum wage roles and I suppose that reflects society values.
JoSoPhine: jelly_tot04: Being stuck behind a computer for 90% of my time filling in the endless paperwork This is the key to the whole sorry state of social work, though when the figure is reversed IE: 90% contact -v- 10% computer time, then social care jobs become minimum wage roles and I suppose that reflects society values.
there needs to be a healthy balance between face to face service user time and time spent stuck behind a computer, wonder why noone up above has ever thought of that before
I suggest comparing most of the recent threads on CareSpace with this one for prospective Social Workers, I find the politeness and lack of rancor quite refreshing, evidenced by genuine use of the expression:
"Hi"
http://www.communitycare.co.uk/carespace/forums/step-up-to-social-work-7269.aspx?PageIndex=7
Can't let you get away with that last statement JoSoPhine...without qualification....it's not just socieal values at play....which is an argument brought about by a council of despair.....but it was qualified and registered social workers in the guise of Directors...CEO's.....strategic managers etc who took the actual decisions to salami slice the social work role and then impose minimum wage thinking to the tasks which were removed...which includes almost all direct work with service users...that's how it's happened and these social work parasites are still active in all social work conversations with the policy makers...these are the bastards who have tarnished my beloved work...and before any radical change can occur they need to be consigned to the bin
Jellytot,
Back in '74 when social work was a 'baby in the womb' so to speak you were talking about a whole other matter !!! I love social work (and Public Health) history.
Honestly jellytot you aren't seriously asking me to believe that YOU believe it's only got 'worse' and more stressful in the last 4 years.
It became the most wonderful and horrible job for me and a nightmare to last out my last 18 months (starting in 1972) and managed thankfully, thanks to REAL friends like Rupert M (who you all love to hate - wonderful support and true to himself at all times).
No I wouldn't recommend SW as a career these days, not at the front line, which I did for 35 years.
I am so grateful I managed to reach pension age without 'karking it'.
By the way - Support the Strike on 30 November !!!!!
sorry JoSoPhine...out of sync...this is the staement I was referring to.....then social care jobs become minimum wage roles and I suppose that reflects society values.
Quick Reply
Boxerdog: sorry JoSoPhine...out of sync...this is the staement I was referring to.....then social care jobs become minimum wage roles and I suppose that reflects society values. Quick Reply
Thanks for taking me up on that, it was a poor thought out attempt at highlighting how those that do most of the face to face work in social care get minimum wage. I would imagine most social workers did not expect to be engaging with a computer 90% of the time, which is a very shocking statistic - but Munro et al to the rescue - if and when, not sure.
Boxerdog: it's not just socieal values at play....which is an argument brought about by a council of despair.....but it was qualified and registered social workers in the guise of Directors...CEO's.....strategic managers etc who took the actual decisions to salami slice the social work role and then impose minimum wage thinking to the tasks which were removed...which includes almost all direct work with service users...that's how it's happened and these social work parasites are still active in all social work conversations with the policy makers...these are the bastards who have tarnished my beloved work...and before any radical change can occur they need to be consigned to the bin
it's not just socieal values at play....which is an argument brought about by a council of despair.....but it was qualified and registered social workers in the guise of Directors...CEO's.....strategic managers etc who took the actual decisions to salami slice the social work role and then impose minimum wage thinking to the tasks which were removed...which includes almost all direct work with service users...that's how it's happened and these social work parasites are still active in all social work conversations with the policy makers...these are the bastards who have tarnished my beloved work...and before any radical change can occur they need to be consigned to the bin
Ditto without reservation
And ditto to you BD and JSP.
I get so bloody and ineffectually angry. I'm out of it but doesn't mean I don't care I do, still SO MUCH.
Support the Strike on the 30th.
Mary Brady: Jellytot, Honestly jellytot you aren't seriously asking me to believe that YOU believe it's only got 'worse' and more stressful in the last 4 years.
I dont believe that its got worse in the last 4 years, what gave you that impression? I've only been in practice for 4 years and its been a nightmare from day 1! i dont know when it started to get worse, perhaps you can enlighten me. All I know is that from speaking to colleagues who have been around for years they tell me that things weren't like this years ago, when it was an enjoyable job to do
It won't happen! They are here and here to stay and replicate. It's called self-preservation - looking after their pension pot - and damn the rest of the world
They stand to gain more from this strike than the majority.
The admin side of things and lack of client contact is why the job has changed for me- I used to be out on the road 80% and in the office 20 and now the reverse - I sit facing a computer day in day out which is boring and stressful all at once. I relish the chance of going out on visits and doing the real social work I trained for but I do not have the time as I am negotiating the ever increasing forms and systems in place which personalisation has added to and in m,ost cases has not really 'added value' to the services for the over 65 client group I work with.
We spend most of our days being showered with changes to process to get our head around and being monitored for quantity not quality of throughput - the stress seems to come more from the process/politics and senior managers who have conveniently forgotten how it is on the ground floor - rather than a challenging situation with a client and or their family.
We have - some good - but many unqualified 'Care Managers' who have no confidence in what they are doing and we are often hand holding them through work at the expense of our own caseloads. In some ways has de-professionalised SW and I am aware of more than one Manager who has commented that 'anyone can do SW'. Or so it seems, particularly in the less than sexy older peoples services. And I wonder why I bothered to put myself through the training and running up some debt doing DipSW.
Anyhow, rant over.
Hi
I can only manage to stay in social work by being a locum and having time off when it gets all too much.
It works for me but the worst option is being a locum that takes one contract after another without taking a break as this really burns you out.
I heard somewhere that the average time people stay in SW is 7 years but I could have dreamed that up.
newry jim: I have a 13 year old son and when he is older and thinks of a career I would not encourage him to go into social work. I would prefer that he even gets a lower paid job with much less stress and responsibility. I don't care if it is being a post man or shop assistant as long as he is content in his job and not subject to hostility, abuse, negativity etc as if he is some sort of sponge who must take on all tasks and be crucified by clients and the system if he makes one mistake or has fallen foul of the pc police. Why would anyone today volunteer to go into such a high stress, lowly regarded and relatively low paid profession? The conveyor belt of Uni courses will continue to roll in the largely idealistic naieve young graduates many of whom will be looking to avoid or get out of front line child protection work within one year of entry!
It made me so cross that not one of the tutors some of whom were still in SW, told us students what life is really like in the big bad world of SW. They continue to spout all the nonsense about how we are going to change the world and make a difference blah blah blah when in reality nothing could be further from the truth
yes of couse it is a lot of stress and a very tough job
but at the end of the day it is still a very important and good job. and you can make a change for someone
and you can learn a lot about the society and many things
Yes
I feel very fortunate to really enjoy my job and I'd absolutely recommend it because we need good and passionate social workers to change the profession
cb:I feel very fortunate to really enjoy my job and I'd absolutely recommend it because we need good and passionate social workers to change the profession
hear hear
Having tried other jobs I know I would be bored stiff in any other kind of work.
There are people in my team who won't have students shadow them any more because they no longer enjoy the work they do and feel they cannot support someone else to come into social work. I find that very sad.
Thank you cb and Hatgirl for your encouragement :)
It's all about:
Supply
Demand & Exit (aka Burn Out)
22,000 Student Social Workers in the UK, 18,000 of which in England.
S, I don't think other people are discouraging but you asked if we would recommend it as a career. I would say no, because it's enslaved by computerized recording....But Social work is not all one homogeneous mass. The intake system that blights Children's Services is exactly as Jelly Tot describes. Why would anyone encourage another person to jump into that sort of lion's den? I would be really curious to know if cb and Hatgirl are in Intake teams.....??
I started in social work in 1975. I can't think of any year that has gone bye, since then, when "morale has never been so low".
The answer to the question is Yes.
Morale has continued to slide since you joined the ranks of the profession - is that what you mean?
Long Gone: Morale has continued to slide since you joined the ranks of the profession - is that what you mean?
Can't speak for the service, was just pointing out what an overworked phrase it was.
RubyTrue: S, I don't think other people are discouraging but you asked if we would recommend it as a career. I would say no, because it's enslaved by computerized recording....But Social work is not all one homogeneous mass. The intake system that blights Children's Services is exactly as Jelly Tot describes. Why would anyone encourage another person to jump into that sort of lion's den? I would be really curious to know if cb and Hatgirl are in Intake teams.....??
I think that too often the media (and sometimes other social workers!) seem to think child protection social work = all social work.
No, I'm not in an Intake team - I'm not even sure what they do or what their remit it.
I'm in Adult Mental Health.
After a long career in health and in social care I decided to re-train as a social worker because I wanted a bit more stress, challenge and variety than my previous role was giving me so I would advise yes but only if you have a good social care grounding and are aware of how demanding social work is.
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coolforcatz: After a long career in health and in social care I decided to re-train as a social worker because I wanted a bit more stress, challenge and variety than my previous role was giving me so I would advise yes but only if you have a good social care grounding and are aware of how demanding social work is.
did i read that right you wanted a more stressful job?
no one know the reality of sw unless they're actually doing the job, tutors tell u how you will be able to change the world what they dont tell you is you'll probably be on your knees within 12 months and burntout after 3 years!!
i love a challenging and demanding job but its gone a hell of a lot further than that
cb i am a good passionate sw what i aren't is a rubbing rag and doormat!
jelly_tot04: did i read that right you wanted a more stressful job? no one know the reality of sw unless they're actually doing the job,
no one know the reality of sw unless they're actually doing the job,
Hi Jellytot,
yes you did read right! I was in a support work role within a community social work team for a number of years and although I really enjoyed my job I did feel it wasn't challenging me. I find a bit of 'stress' can be motivating but not excessive stress ( which to be honest I tend to suffer from more when I don't feel stimulated ). Perhaps tho' the good stress I am talking about could be called something else.
In my team I worked with social workers and ot's in my old role and my OH is a social worker so I did know the reality of the job before my course.
Hi jelly_tot04,
Many of the negative aspects of the job you list have always been there but in the past there was enough job satisfaction and support within the team to keep us going (just!). During the 90's I was in a stable and committed team in children's services, where we all looked after each other and helped each other out, but I still got burnt out after nearly 4 years. I was experienced but felt exploited by managers who took advantage of my ability to cope with a heavy caseload by putting more and more pressure on me - until I felt I had no choice but to leave.
Now, we seem to have the madness of the least experienced social workers doing the most complex and emotionally demanding work! Also, there's a high turnover of staff which creates a downward spiral of low morale and the loss of experienced workers. This situation is so bad that many social workers are now expected to do an impossible job, and at great personal cost to themselves. So, I would certainly would not recommend social work in children's services at the present time.
jelly_tot04:Cool4catz are you a SW or a student SW?
I'm a social worker, I used to be a support worker in mental health and learning disabilities social work teams.
jelly_tot04: did i read that right you wanted a more stressful job?
I don't mean to underplay the impact of stress on individuals so on reflection I should have used the word 'challenging' to describe what I meant.
I am a NQSW in a social work role. I hope that if I ever lose passion for the job i'm doing then I will stop doing it.
I feel that social work is not a career that anyone should enter into likely. When choosing a degree subject, I knew I wanted to work with people in a role that went some way to making a difference to others. No person can independantly change the world, but social workers as a whole do make a difference to the lives of others.
I am aware that I may have a certain level of naivity as a young, newly qualified, but I came into the job fully prepared for what the job is like. I have bad days when I feel like all I do is sit in front of my computer endlessly filing out the same proforma, but that small proportion of time when I meet a service user and support them in getting what they need from our service makes up for all of that. Some days i sit down and freeze because I literally have no idea where to start, then the phone rings and everything changes. For me, I love the fast paced, unpredictability of my role.
I hate it when people tell me that in time I will become desensitised from my work and cases will all merge into one. Dealing with people's lives is one of the most worthy jobs a person can do and it helps to take a step back and think how you would react to being asked the highly personal and confidential things we deal with. When people start becoming 'just another case' to me is when I will stop doing social work.
I know that poor and sometimes lack of supervision, unmanageable case loads etc all occur, but I have been lucky enough to be part of a very supportive team. All levels of management, social workers and support staff are under pressure to keep work flowing through and unfortunately it all filters back to the poor front line staff who feel like exploding under their 40+ case loads.
Like others have said, there are downsides to every job. From my experience, when you can't change it and you feel like you are getting nowhere by raising your concerns- Make sure it's all documented and keep your SU's best interests at the top of your prioritites and endlessly fight against the system for them. If you do that, you cannot really go wrong.
RubyTrue:I would be really curious to know if cb and Hatgirl are in Intake teams.....??
No, but the question was would you recommend SW as a career not 'would you recommend a career in an Children's Services Intake Team?' If that had been the question my answer would probably have been no!
I would however recommend a career in adult services if a person was that way inclined.