By Lou Newman
I spent nine years of my life looked after by the local authority in a kinship foster placement. My care experience was positive on the whole; my family carers were able to support me emotionally and practically. I also, crucially, had social workers who I felt able to trust to make decisions that were in my best interests.
This started with my accommodation – placing me with individuals I had already established a relationship with. This was exactly what I wanted and the social worker echoed my wishes and feelings in her assessment and decision-making.
This article is part of Community Care’s Stand up for Social Work campaign. We’re standing up for social work by being honest, offering support and providing inspiration.Speaking freely
I remember being about ten years old when the social worker took me to an adventure playground to talk to me about my views. Looking back, I can see how she engaged me in playing games and ‘got down to my level’ in this non-intimidating setting to help me feel comfortable and speak freely without the influence of family members.
I was grateful to have social workers who clearly explained why I was having this intervention and made sure I understood what was happening every step of the journey to being accommodated with my kinship carers.
I believe that this positive decision-making contributed to the success that I have encountered as an adult.
Drawing on my own experiences
In summer 2015, I graduated as a social worker myself. My positive experiences of having inspiring social workers, learning about the role through what they did and how influential and imperative social work intervention can be motivated me to embark on the degree and want to do this job. Contrary to stereotypes, university was never ruled out as an option for me and was always discussed as a possible route in education meetings.
Throughout the course, I was able to draw on my care experiences to shape my own practice and help others. When we learnt about child-centred working, I reflected on how social workers had worked with me to meet my needs in a way that best suited me.
I consciously tried to integrate good practice and direct work techniques professionals had used with me into my own practice. For example, I appreciated how they had made sure I understood what was happening by avoiding using professional jargon. I’ve heard a social worker say that having time for direct work is unrealistic but it’s key to building and maintain relationships – helping young people feel important and that their social worker is genuinely interested in supporting them.
Carrying a pocket game, pens, pencils, toys to use can break down some of the barriers. Often social workers may not feel they get gratitude from young people but I would say they do recognise when extra work has been done to establish a positive working relationship.
The child’s voice
I remembered a negative experience when I was called out of an English lesson at school to attend a personal education plan meeting. I was keen on learning and felt uncomfortable, missing out on valuable lesson time. However, I was able to voice my opinion about this and my social worker at the time ensured that future meetings were organised at a time and place that suited me best. That is often what I admire in other social workers now – finding ways to be flexible in often rigid systems to keep the child’s voice central and act in their best interests.
I felt involved and included in decision making and my views about education were taken seriously, plans made were child-centred and achievable.
Positive influences
From where I stand now, I can see I had extremely positive influences during my time as a looked-after young person. My social workers made it clear that care leavers can and do achieve within their lives and empowered me to follow my aspirations and dreams. I hope that as my career progresses, I can be a similar role model and provide encouragement and belief that young people who have been in care can achieve good outcomes, in the same way that professionals and carers believed in me.
Participation
Unfortunately, many young people in care and care leavers are stigmatised and discriminated against, but they can be encouraged to see their status as positive. Social workers can help young people see their experiences as valuable to society.
I think it’s vital to be aware of the consultation and support groups where looked-after young people and care levers can contribute to how services are delivered, encourage them to attend and have their voices heard. These young people can embrace their status and grow in confidence as those voices echo within their local authority to influence positive change!
Standing up for social work
To me, this is part of celebrating social work and how good practice is shared. I want to be an advocate and cheerleader for care leavers and how individuals can be encouraged to aim high and reach their full potential. I will also work to challenge negative stereotypes that can mean care leavers are subject to unfair judgements – it’s part of our social work role and values to try and ensure young people are afforded equality and that diversity is accepted and celebrated.
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What an inspirational piece of writing from a social worker who is already showing that she has the potential to succeed!
I feel proud and privileged to have encountered the writer when I taught her at Primary School. It was clear then that she had the determination to achieve well in life.
THANK YOU Lou. I agree with Sherry (who herself as one of your teachers would have had an impact within your life). Your piece is inspiring and it also has really practical tips for us all. I hope you can find ways to keep writing about social work and being such a great champion and role model.
Well done Lou, I hope every Student Social Worker training and Social Worker practising in this country reads your article you are as has been said an inspiration to all. Your University tutors must be very proud of you and I hope you continue your journey to reach your full potential and that you continue to inspire others. There are many in government and local authorities who control the destiny of Social Work training who need to understand and reflect on what you are teaching us all here. I have seen more wisdom in this article from you than anything recently from those in our profession who are supposed to give direction and leadership.
Well done on a very honest and interesting article, I myself have just started 2nd year of my social work degree at staffs uni. fantastic uni supportive staff I know the tutors are proud of you because I was told today by one person who was very excited about your achievement, good luck with your future career. really hope i can be a social worker who can be a inspiration to young people and help them achieve their potential.
Sounds like you had a very positive experience. This is very fortunate with regard to social work and its image today which unfortunately seems to be dogged constantly by failure at every level and just general incompetence. You raised some interesting and relevant points and I mean absolutely no disrespect when I say this but I think your voice is part of the minority. Your experiences, although they were born of the most important years of your life, still only extend to a limited period when a lot of professionals have battled for most of their careers in a service which will always have to strike a balance between very conflicting issues, entities and also agencies. Often they succeed but when they fail, we all get to know about it in a very public way. So, what I’m trying to say is that maybe your experiences ‘on the other side of the desk’ so to speak, may be not what you were expecting but I think you have a good sense of what’s just and the strength to handle it. So all the best
What an amazing piece of work, clearly shows you will make a difference positively!!!!
So proud of you!!
Thank you for sharing!!
Every tunnel has a light!! We just need to keep going…..
Well done Lou!!
I have just started my Social Work degree at Staffordshire University, and found your article inspirational and thought provoking.
You have obviously faced and overcome many challenges in your life, which have given you a great foundation for your practice, and I’m sure will enable you to become a truly understanding and empathetic Social Worker.
Good Luck for your future career.