Social Work Week 2022

Next week, commencing 14 March, is Social Work Week.

Social Work Week is hosted by Social Work England and complements the annual Social Work Day on 15 March 2022.

The week aims to recognise the hard work and dedication of social workers.

Social Work Week is for anyone with an interest in social work in England, including:

• social workers, including people looking to return to the profession
• people with lived experience of social work
• social work students
• employers of social workers
• social work educators
• organisations with an interest in or influence on social work

As part of our plans at the Trust, we would like to take this opportunity to introduce you to some of our wonderful social workers.

 

 

Hannah, Advanced Social Work Practitioner, Forensic Services

I was inspired to be a social worker as I enjoy helping others of various backgrounds and promoting positive change in people’s lives, this includes empowering people, ensuring they know what support is available and promoting independence and positive decision making.

Academically, the first step I took was that I completed the Social Work Degree at Lincoln University in 2013. My first role was working in a substance misuse service, I then went on to work in mental health.

The Trust has since supported me to develop my career as I qualified as an Approved Mental Health Professional last year. This is something I have always aspired to do.

My favourite part of being a social worker is having the ability to meet a range of people and support and empower them to move forwards in their lives and make positive steps in recovery. Additionally, I enjoy working with a range of highly skilled professionals who enable us to provide robust packages of care to individuals promoting a better quality of life.

If you think social work might be the career for you, I would encourage you to think about the different areas which you are interested in working in, there are so many! And to do your research first.

 

 

Paul, Advanced Practitioner, Social Work

I chose social work because I have always believed in fighting for human rights. I believe our profession can change the world on so many levels. For each person, we have the opportunity to serve, for individuals and their families and the communities where we live. I am grateful for the opportunity to be part of a profession that reaches out to our most vulnerable populations and strives to make a difference in so many lives.

Experience is an important part of social work qualifications. A work placement forms half of social work courses with academic learning focusing on legislation, ethics and theory. You’ll need some experience of social work or social care when applying to study. This can be paid, voluntary or placement work, or even life experience.

The Trust has supported the plan to embed social workers as a key staff group, and to support registered social workers already employed in generic teams, addressing the complexity of integrated mental health settings, as outlined in the Interim NHS People Plan 2020.

My favourite thing about my job is helping people change their lives, bringing them hope and being part of their recovery or transformation journey. Social workers make a difference to individuals and families by helping them live their lives more successfully.

The desire to be a social worker is a passion; an innate calling to someone who, by definition, is devoted to and cares about people, who wants to make people’s lives better. The core values of social work include compassionate service to others, fostering dignity for all individuals, social justice, and promoting stronger human relationships. The core values alone show the importance of social work today as the values social workers promote impact individuals, communities, and society.

 

 

Chris, Social Worker, Community Mental Health Teams

I was inspired to become a social worker due to having a social conscience and opinions, and because I feel passionate about structural inequalities, the haves and the have nots, and how this, and more, impacts on us all.

After leaving a career in Sales in 2017, I figured I’d have some time out and applied to study at the University of Hull. However, things moved forward very quickly and so I had to be decisive to secure a place.

The Trust has supported my career and enabled me to complete my ASYE during my first year with Humber, alongside my ongoing training.

My favourite thing about being a social worker is my ability to be resolute, advocating for people in mental health specifically, and being a distinct voice who can offer an alternative social model and interventions.

My advice for anyone considering a career in social work would be to be decisive, as I had to be. It’s rarely the ‘right’ time to go for it.

 

 

Chantelle, Social Work Degree Apprentice, Hull Integrated Care Teams

I have worked at the Trust since 2015 and further to this, as a support worker for 11 years in social care.

Recently, I have been given the amazing opportunity to become a social worker through a Social Work Apprenticeship Degree, while working my current role. I couldn’t leave my job to go to university, so the Trust supported me through my progression, building my qualifications through apprenticeships and getting me in a position where I was able to apply for the degree.

I feel the Trust truly stand by their values of Caring, Learning and Growing Together as the they have clearly committed to developing and supporting my career into social care.

I often get asked “why do you want to be a social worker”? Through the years of working within my team, I have seen such positive work. Empowering, advocating and encouraging individuals to be the best that they can be! I love the diversity and challenge of the role. No two days are the same and we can make such a difference to people’s lives.

If you want to make a difference to people’s lives, have a passion for helping others, and enjoy a challenge, then social work is the right career path for you.

 

 

Krista, Social Work Degree Apprentice, Adult Mental Health Services

Take it from me, you are never too old to learn. Starting a BA Integrated Social Work Apprenticeship at Hull University through my employer Hull City Council at forty-eight years old, was an easy decision for me. I had been waiting for this opportunity for years, after working for the local authority for over twenty-five years. I knew it was too good an opportunity not to take.

I had worked in housing and spent the last eleven years working within social services in adult social care as a Social Care Support Officer. I have wanted to be a social worker for fifteen years and always enjoyed working in the social care sector. I was also limited in being able to develop my career within adult social care without the social work qualification and wanted to have the opportunity to progress if I chose too.

My first attempt at gaining the social work qualification was in 2009 when I worked in sheltered housing for Hull City Council. I started Lincoln University in Hull on a part time basis, attending one evening a week for two years, whilst working part time with two young children. During this time, I completed the Certificate in Social Care course, which gained me a place on the second year of the undergraduate social work degree course.  However, this would be based in Lincoln as the campus in Hull was closing. I was unable to accept this offer as it was too far to travel, but the qualification did enable me to get my current post within adult social care, which has given me a fantastic foundation in social work. 

I enjoy working with people, I find them interesting, especially the older generations, they have so much knowledge and wisdom to teach you, if you give them the time to listen. My main reason for wanting to be a social worker was to ensure everyone is given the same opportunities and treated fairly and equally. I enjoy supporting people to be the best they can be, by empowering them to uphold their rights and promote their independence whilst improving their quality of life.  

The Trust has provided me with an excellent opportunity by permitting me to have my second placement with them, whilst on my third year of the social work apprenticeship course. I wanted to develop my learning in an integrated health and social care team, within mental health services, because I have never worked in health before and wanted a contrasting placement where different systems and services were available to gain more knowledge.  Mental health is an area of practice I have the least experience with and wanted to challenge myself.

If you are interested in becoming a social worker look at the different ways of gaining the qualification and think about what area of work you are interested in, as there are lots of different opportunities available. It is a difficult job at times, and it is always evolving. You need to be able to accept and adapt to change and have the resilience to cope with the demands of the role, however, it is also a very rewarding job that can give you great job satisfaction when you have supported a person, their family, or carers to enable them to change their lives in a positive way.