IT’S TIME WE CHANGED THE NARRATIVE I’M SO PROUD TO BE A SOCIAL WORKER!

I openly admit that I am proud to be a social worker.

It’s more than a job, it’s a way of life, and has literally defined who I am today.

My social work values shape my personal beliefs, and I feel humbled to be part of a profession that supports people at the most vulnerable points in their lives.

We are the safety net for society. The world without social work would be bleak. However, the public rarely realises what a fundamental positive difference we can make to individuals, their families, and carers.

Whatever sphere of social work you are part of, you are there - day in, day out - advocating for the seldom heard.

DESPITE ALL THE POSITIVES OUR PROFESSION CAN BRING, WE ARE HATED BY SO MANY MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC.

Social workers are demonised by the media, and stigmatised by society. We are either portrayed as ‘fluffy do-gooders,’ who serve as much purpose as a chocolate teapot, or as evil, malicious child snatchers who make up wild and outrageous lies to hoodwink the public and steal children for some kind of financial reward from the state.

As those of us within the profession know, these caricatures couldn’t be further from the truth. Social workers are real people, with real emotions, doing real work. We spend our days championing people who are at rock-bottom, when everyone else has turned their backs.

ARMED WITH A NOKIA 3310, A NOTEBOOK, AND BABY WIPES, WE GO ALONE TO PLACES THAT THE POLICE WILL ONLY GO TO IN PAIRS, WEARING BULLET PROOF JACKETS WITH TASER GUNS AND BATONS.

Social workers often jeopardise their personal safety to ensure the safety of others. Social workers are expected to work miracles and keep people safe, all while working with ever depleting resources, and facing contempt wherever we turn.

Don’t get me wrong, I don’t for a second think that social workers are the ‘golden profession,’ nor claim that our jobs are more important than other professions in healthcare, education, and the emergency services.

My point is that we are equally as important as the doctors, nurses, teachers, police officers, and others who work in public services. Social workers are a vital link in the chain - without which, society would look very different.

Despite the value we bring to the world, we continue to be misunderstood and vilified. Generally speaking, the public don’t understand what we do, and this uncertainty breeds fear, mistrust, and even hatred.

WE NEED TO GENERATE A NEW CONVERSATION, AND SPARK PUBLIC INTEREST IN SOCIAL WORK AND SOCIAL CARE.

We need to share the human stories behind the media headlines. We need to show the public what social workers do, and why we are important.

Most importantly, we need to come together as a profession, to support one another, and showcase the brave and honourable work we do each day.

Public perception will never change until we learn to use every media available to us, to shout our achievements from the rooftops. It’s time to change the narrative.