future changes
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There is one thing that I can say about social work, and that is you never really know what direction you could be going in. What I mean is that working in a Local Authority you are always subjected to the effects of budget cuts, and in all the years that I have practised the budget has always been reduced.
For some of us in social work especially children services we became excited over the prospect of social work becoming social work again. So looked forward to the next change with a glimmer of hope that it would bring the promise of more direct work.
It appeared that the sun was going to rise upon the social work profession. A new body monitoring and regulating social work practise, The College of Social Work to offer support, guidance and much more. The Munro Review providing the argument and understanding why the change is needed for social work and a direction that it could take.
But like a firework display on a very wet night the hype was there and dampened by the rain it so far has not amounted to much. The promise of reclaiming social work may still be a dream relying on social workers to give more of their own time to offer a small percentage of what the greater public expect of the profession.
The effect is staff that burn out, children and families that stay in distressed states unable to manage and unsure what is happening. The trouble is that often intervention for families does not need to be at a high level, often intervention at an effective level at the right time will prevent stress and separation within families. And the changes that are still promised in social work are geared up towards this work.
The trouble is everyday that passes by leads to the risk of another serious incident putting young people and adults at risk of significant harm. Although serious case reviews take place and learning is applied to professional practise, this does not give the information needed by each local authority to redesign their provision to meet the needs of the most vulnerable.
Change will happen, I am sure of that but what I am not so sure of is whether it will bring with it a glimmer of hope. A service that can prevent family breakdown where possible. A service that keeps children safe at home and when they are in care, can invest in better quality contact and therapeutic interactions.
But don’t be fooled every day positive work still goes on, social workers going beyond what is expected for the people they work with. It is also important that social work myths are challenged and dispelled and it was good to see the three-part TV series Protecting our children. I hope that more will follow and show all aspects of social work in the same caring positive light.
One year on
It has been an interesting day in the office forget the placement break downs, forget the phone ringing non stop. There was an excuse today to celebrate a year of working in a “Fish bowel” managing to cope with no fixed desks, the facilities not working, faxes and photocopiers breaking down on panel days.
But as the table cloth is laid, and the assorted food is laid out and everybody is mixing and talking about the previous year. The real business is being done else where, as the effects of the first years cuts were being talked about, the next two years were being planned.
This time the cuts will hurt and the impact on the service will be harder. Meaning that there will be greater pressure on the workers to deliver the same service or a better service. The true effect of what will happen is not known, redundancies and dismal’s are whispered, as well as a restructure.
But should I get excited about the changes, will the processes become simpler and made easier to identify resources for the young people to enable the young people to achieve better outcomes. However, will the changes mean this or will the impact be on both the workers and the young people needing support.
Fish Bowl working – the cracks begin!
Have you ever wondered what happens when cracks start to appear in the fish bowl you are working in. Normally you may want to get out as quickly as you can and jump into a new bigger pond. Well lying on your side gasping for air is not ideal working conditions. So when the tidal wave of complaints finally reaches the dizzy heights of our senior managers and directors a decision is made to employ an outside company to investigate what has gone wrong. For many working in the office the answer is easy! There is not enough space to start, let alone every one having the facilities to make it work.
So Monday the new project is kicked off by the director explaining the process in a calm manner. Using all of his Social Work skills expressing Empathy and Sympathy and understanding at the working conditions we are all currently experiencing. A future carer in politics is a definite direction to take after this speech.
To test this there was even a haggle from a student Social Worker. When the floor was asked “Can you hear me?” the answer “No!” fell on a puzzled face as the humour was lost on the director, and the rest of the floor. After a difficult silence the rest of the message was delivered.
The message is clear however, we know its not good. But if you want changes it will cost money and jobs and or services! Sitting back in my chair I wondered if everyone really heard the subtle threat in the message.
I always feel proud to be a Social Worker and the involvement and influence that you can have in the job we do through staff working groups. Feeling a little bit passionate about my working environment I sign up for this one. So I was disappointed to hear that not everyone else had felt the same. And I was almost lost for words when a colleague had spent five minutes voicing her concerns was offered an opportunity to take part, only to turn around and say ” I am busy!”
So in the week that Community Care and Unison start their own research into working conditions for Social Workers. Our little fish bowl also does its own, with my own input Championing the working conditions for our team.
I wait to find out what the recommendations will be and whether changes will be made. But remain thoughtful as to what the impact this might have on my job and the young people that I work with.
hownottodosocialwork 