Telling good stories

Listening to Winston Smith on the radio one morning last week was as frustrating and depressing as his own experiences of working with young people in care. And while trying to understand his need to let off steam in a blog which is apparently in line for a political writing award, I couldn't help feeling angry about the impact of yet more bad publicity about the care system.

But then later that week I met Jenni, who after many years in social work is still passionate about what she does. It's true that it would be difficult to feel unhappy in the sunshine and in the beautiful Cornish town where she now lives, yet it was the strong sense that she really cares which I found so uplifting.

I'd been introduced to her by David Akinsanya, one of The Trust's patrons, because Jenni was David's social worker when he was in care. And although I hope that he won't mind me saying that was a long time ago — they are still very much in touch. In fact, it was hearing David talk about Jenni and the part that she's played in his life that inspired us to start a new project which aims to celebrate good social work practice.

I know from my years of working with children and families, later teaching a new generation and more recently from reading the letters that young people send in to our magazine, that individuals can and do make a difference in a system that is far from perfect. There are good social workers out there — so isn't it time to tell their stories?