Case studies: Social worker: Ali

Ali was sponsored by Buckinghamshire County Council to study a BA (Hons) Social Work at Oxford Brookes University and now works as a social worker in an assessment and intervention team (child protection)

In line with all social work courses, my degree included 200 days of assessed practice. My first placement was in a prison supporting men identified as having misused substances. My second was in Buckinghamshire County Council's referral team, providing a front-line service screening initial child protection enquiries and referrals, before undertaking statutory assessments where necessary.

Here, I had a discussion with the manager of my current assessment and intervention team about a possible social work role once I had qualified. When a vacancy arose, I was interviewed alongside other applicants and secured a job, subject to my degree results. After a successful probationary period, I gained a permanent contract in this team.

Experience from placements and the topics covered within my degree programme have thoroughly prepared me for my current job. Learning about related theories at university has given me a more holistic understanding about the causal factors that influence the dynamics of the families with whom I work.

Reading evidenced-based research has informed my practice, through increasing my comprehension about how, for example, poor mental health, substance misuse and domestic abuse can impact on children's development and affect parents' capacity to meet their children's needs.

My studies helped me to develop a greater awareness about my personal values and taught me the necessity to remain objective in my assessments and decision making.

My role involves engaging families to work in partnership with the local authority to achieve outcomes detailed in their child protection plans. A typical day includes two or three hours of direct work with adults and/or the children who have experienced abuse, usually via home visits.

I also frequently chair meetings, write letters, undertake assessments and prepare statements for court. I liaise daily with a wide variety of other agencies and record all the work I have undertaken using specific computer software programs.

I enjoy enabling parents to gain insight into their own strengths and difficulties, which is often the key to them making the necessary changes that will keep their children safe. However, working with 'hard to reach' families that have historically failed to engage and recognise concerns can often be challenging. That said, the biggest demand of the job is meeting deadlines for reports and completing and distributing minutes of meetings. Good organisational skills and the ability to prioritise tasks are therefore essential.

If you are a good listener and have a non-judgemental attitude, then these are useful attributes for child protection work. However, due to the pressurised working environment, it is equally important to be a team player, be excellent at time management and to possess accurate ICT skills.

Safeguarding children is a satisfying but extremely demanding role that carries huge responsibility. Therefore, child protection work may not be suitable for those who currently have fragile emotional resilience and/or a limited support network.

AGCAS

Sourced by Wendy Reed, AGCAS

Date: 

December 2011

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