Meet social work’s top bloggers: no.1 The Masked AMHP

In the first of a series of profiles on social care's top bloggers, The Masked AMHP tells us why he likes writing about the dilemmas faced by mental health social workers and the strangest thing he's ever seen in his job.

November 21, 2012 in Mental Health

Q: What’s your name or pseudonym?

A: The Masked AMHP

Q: Where can we find you on the Twitter/blogosphere?

A: http://themaskedamhp.blogspot.co.uk/

Q: What three words would best describe your blog?

A: Informative, entertaining, thought-provoking

Q: What’s your role in social care?

I am a social worker and Approved Mental Health Professional (AMHP) working in a Community Mental Health Team (CMHT).

Q: Why did you start blogging/tweeting?

A: I wanted to let people know what it was actually like to be an Approved Mental Health Professional – the dilemmas and difficulties we face in the role, the factors we take into account in reaching decisons, and the sometimes strange and surreal situations we find ourselves in.

Q: If you could recommend one of your blog posts to social workers what would it be?

A: Why Be An AMHP?

Q: Can you recommend a social care blog (apart from your own)?

A: The Not So Big Society blog

Q: What’s your favourite non-social care blog?

A: The excellent (and award winning) Mental Health Cop

Q: What’s the strangest thing you’ve seen in your job?

A: A naked man who believed he was Jesus Christ successfully passively resisting the attempts of six police officers to remove him from a police cell.

Q: What tip would you give to NQSWs or people thinking about becoming social workers?

A: Take every opportunity to gain new experience.

Q: What’s your most hated jargon in your job?

A: “Customer”

Q: Best biscuit for a tea break?

A: Plain chocolate Hobnobs

Check out the best from social care’s online community on our new Your Say page. Are you a social work or social care blogger who would like your blog featured? Email andy.mcnicoll@rbi.co.uk for details.