CYP Now - The challenges and expectations of the social worker role

I can’t have been the only director of children’s services who was saddened and disappointed at the targeting of social workers and colleague directors following the recent tragic deaths of children at the hands of their parents who should love and care for them.

Bernie Brown says of social workers: Quietly and heroically they go about the business of keeping children safe. Picture: Adobe Stock

This led me to reflect on the challenges and expectations of the social worker role and the leadership required to support staff during these difficult times.

It is important to remind social work staff and other associated professionals like teachers, youth workers, early years staff and youth justice colleagues of their value and the impact of their work. Nobody tends to write about the workers who welcome children into school with a smile and piece of toast after experiencing domestic violence at home. No one recalls the social worker who takes a child in care out for tea or who turns up to watch them at a school event. Little credit is ever given to the countless visits made to children and families offering much needed support and sometimes challenge to prevent harm.

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