3 minute read
What's the best thing about being a Social Worker?
Social work is a job like no other; difficult to define, and difficult to explain.
As we reveal the launch of The Pride of Social Work Awards next year, we asked our global community of social workers what they thought was the best thing about being a social worker. Hundreds agreed that the people and families at the heart of each case were their reason for giving their best.
“Honestly. Just being a part of someone’s process to a better life for themselves,” said Amanda Mulhern, a social worker from Pennsylvania.
“Truly humbling and makes my day. Wouldn’t change my profession for the world. #socialworksarechangemakers”
Pamela Robertson, of Scotland, said: “Just everything! The journey with people, in their most humble moments, I’m privileged!” while Keely Johnson, of Manchester, agreed: “Seeing people take back control of their lives.”
Nia Lauren, of Hertfordshire, shared a touching moment: “I visited a family today with a mother who is deaf, so I hired an agency interpreter to assist with our face-to-face meeting (I was formulating a safety plan with the mum)
“After our visit came to an end, and we had left the property, the interpreter told me that she needed to tell me two things - I have a gift, I am a natural communicator, and secondly I am a one in a million social worker...absolutely made my day to be honest.”
And Nia wasn’t the only one to share a special moment that made the job utterly worthwhile. “I am still a student but last week the mother in a family I have been working with thanked me for my heart,” said Ra Ra, who’s based in the south west of England, while Shyla Archuletta, of New Mexico, recalled: “One of my clients invited me to school to watch his presentation and turns out it was ‘bring your hero to school’ day, and I was the hero.”
Deanna Smith said: “I had my client tell me I’m the only person who “really gets him.” Just listening and validating during their vulnerable moments.” Christy Rood, of Nevada, said: “Seeing progress people make in their lives. And they will thank you, but it is them doing the work.”
Jaxon Adams, of British Columbia, said: “Feeling a sense of contribution to our community. Acknowledging those tiny tiny steps or giant leaps forwards.”
Donna Murray, of Dundee, said: “Knowing you’ve helped someone in some way...and although it doesn’t always happen as you hope, seeing people progress.”
Liz, of Surrey, said: “Seriously I wish I could find another job that gets me out of bed in the morning. I just love what I do. I love it when a YP keeps standing and starts to feel able to make their own choices (some of which can be interesting). We are so honoured to be alongside them.”
Carrie, in the south west of England, said: “Seeing children make huge and rapid progress developmentally, emotionally, behaviourally. It will never, ever get old, no matter how hard this job is and how much some days I want to run far away from my job.”
Meredith Jo Allen, of North Carolina, said: “When a family cried with me on the phone after making the difficult decision to place their children up for adoption because they knew it was the best decision for their family.
“THE FAMILY TOLD ME THEY LOVED ME AND THEY CONSIDERED ME A PART OF THEIR FAMILY. IT WAS A HUMBLING DAY.”
Stevie Hollinsworth, of Kilwinning Locality Team, North Aryshire in Scotland, shared: “Too many to mention. My team. Good outcomes. Good relationships. The challenge.”
Madeleine Dubbelman said: “Never knowing what a workday will bring, experiencing crazy funny horrible things...being able to stand with a person at the worst time of their lives.”
And while the job of social worker remains difficult to pin down, we think Brittany Saggau, a social worker from Canada, hit the nail on the head when she said: “I get to love people for a living, that’s a pretty beautiful thing.”
