12 things every social worker should keep in their car

For a social worker on the go, their car is so much more than a means of travel - often doubling as a mobile office, break room, changing room, and roadside diner. Here are 12 things every social worker should keep in the car for every eventuality:

1. A CHANGE OF CLOTHES

We’ve all had those days, so whether you’ve accidentally sat down in cat sick, been vomited on by a small child, or spilled your lunch down yourself, any social worker worth their salt knows the value of keeping a spare top and trousers in the car.

2. SNACKS - AND CONDIMENTS!

A lunch break is never guaranteed, which is why it’s a good idea to stock your car with snacks that can be grabbed by the handful on the go. Quick tip: avoid anything that melts or goes off quickly.

Pretzels, crisps, cereal bars, fruit, rice cakes, and jelly sweets are all ideal for chucking in your mouth between visits. And don’t forget those little packs of brown or red sauce for the occasional cheeky butty!

3. WET WIPES AND TISSUES

Whether for wiping a runny nose, tears from your eyes, or ketchup from your fingers, these are essential.

4. COLOURING PENS AND PAPER

These can be used with all client groups. From ecomaps to mind maps, lists to diagrams, or genograms to doodling, the possibilities are endless.

5. PPE

Social work is unpredictable, so it’s always best to be prepared. Stock your boot with disposable gloves, masks, aprons, shoe covers, bin bags and hand sanitiser.

6. COMMUNICATION SYMBOLS.

It’s always wise to have a supply of laminated emojis, symbols, pictures, and phrase cards, to aid communicating with anyone who may find it difficult to verbalise their thoughts and feelings.

7. WATERPROOF COAT, WELLIES, A TORCH, AND A BLANKET.

Be prepared for every eventuality. Whether it’s a broken down car, a visit in an unexpected location, or a heating system on the blink, these are items that will be worth their weight in gold.

8. FIRST AID KIT.

Cuts, grazes, headaches, splinters, blisters, and burns are no match for a super duper first aid kit, which can be purchased quite inexpensively.

9. CLOTH AND HESSIAN BAGS.

No child should be made to carry their possessions between placements in bin bags. A simple gesture of providing some proper bags to a person in need keeps the humanity in what is too often a traumatic and undignified situation.

10. TOYS AND GAMES.

No matter what area of social work you practice in, chances are you’re going to come across children at some point. A bag of toys for the child to explore can provide you with that essential window of respite to have a serious social work conversation with the adults.

11. MAP AND PHONE CHARGER.

Anyone who has ever been caught in an area with patchy phone signal will know, you can’t always rely on Google Maps. And while, by the definition of the job title, social workers are amazing at working their way out of tight spots, they’re all infinitely easier to tackle with a fully charged mobile phone.

12. A TRAVEL MUG AND CUTLERY.

It’s always best to be prepared - whether you find yourself out and about, or in the kitchen of an unfamiliar social work office. Do you really want to be found to be drinking from ‘Bob’s favourite mug,’ or being forced to eat with the rusty-looking fork from the bottom of the drawer? Nope.