A Day in the Life of a Social Worker - Part Two
A Day in the Life of a Social Worker - Part Two
Happy Social Work Week!
For the second interview in the series, we spoke with one of our direct Social Worker's who works in the physically disabled adults’ team.
Can you describe what a normal day in your role entails?
Case management regarding care packages, reviews, assessment of needs for Adults with Learning Disabilities. Carrying out Mental Capacity Assessment & Best Interest Decisions. Attending lots of meetings such as Care Programme Approach meeting with Health, Multi Agency Risk Management Meetings & Safeguarding Meetings.
Calling clients and their families by phone or MS Teams to check on wellbeing & changing health & social care needs. Team Meetings online and completing applications for funding, setting up services and audits on direct payments. Covering being duty social worker managing contacts and referral from other professionals, clients, and their carers/families & friends. Virtual tea & cake with colleagues & Friday afternoon quiz with the team.
What challenges do you face as a social worker?
The expectations of others on what is achievable, prioritising workload, switching off at the end of a day, 12 years of austerity, societies view of those who are deemed to be ‘deserving’.
What do you like most about your job?
The client interface, seeing the untapped potential in people, challenging convention.
Have you faced additional struggles due to the Covid-19 pandemic?
Yes, families are in crisis, clients have died prematurely.
What do you do outside of work to wind down?
Before Covid I would ride a motorbike, go to festivals, nights out with friends, campervan holidays, big dog walks with family & friends. Post Covid drink wine eat cake!