‘Social work at its best’ campaign launches to celebrate profession
Fiona Simpson
Thursday, June 24, 2021
Practitioners and care-experienced adults and young people have shared stories of “social work at its best” in celebration of the profession.
The hashtag #SocialWorkAtItsBest was launched by social worker Sophie Ayers on Twitter in response to the Care Review’s Case for Change which some practitioners said “patronised” social workers.
-
Care Review: Six things we learnt from the Case for Change
-
Related news: Care Review lays out key reforms for ‘shaky’ social care system in first report
The report, published last week, suggested social workers often prioritise safeguarding and child protection investigations over early help for families.
Using the hashtag on social media, hundreds of people have shared inspiring stories of “life-changing” social work.
Care leaver Nick Barwick said: “I had nine social workers and often felt like a tick box on visits. However, my last social worker (Jim), a proper Bristolian, was amazing. He cared for me so much and I truly felt it. The power of connection is real! I wish he was still around now to see me.”
After working with this young person through her mum dying, numerous placement breakdowns, education giving up, and taking her horse riding weekly (as horses never give up) to get this message several years later #SocialWorkAtItsBest this is why I do it ❤️ pic.twitter.com/OnbHGwf5FJ
— Kerry Bull (@KerryBull1) June 21, 2021
Ben Ashcroft, a care-experienced author, added: “Social Work is a highly skilled profession that makes a HUGE difference to thousands of lives every day. More respect & appreciation needed. Without these unsung hero's our country would be in a much worse state. Social work is complex with many parts to it.”
Had some lovely feedback from a woman/mother about one of our child protection conference chairs and how restorative she was, how comfortable she made her feel #SocialWorkAtItsBest
— Farrah Khan MBE🌈🤎 (@Farrahkhan152) June 21, 2021
Anna Baccoo, director of practice for What Works for Children’s Social Care, said: “Saw a dad and his son waiting at the bus stop together recently and remembered how hard he (and I) worked to keep his son in his care when ALL the odds were against him. “
My friend, mentor & colleague @EdNixon2 has been a Social Worker for over FORTY YEARS.
— Ben Ashcroft (@AshcroftBen) June 21, 2021
When I got invited to Buckingham Palace for services to children, YP & families, I took, Ed. I wanted him to experience it. If I could have given it him I would have. 💙 #SocialWorkAtItsBest
Caroline Bald, researcher in social worker at Essex University, wrote: “#SocialWorkAtItsBest reminds me of a gardening group we ran with lads in their late teens, all considered high risk of reoffending. We grew tomatoes from seed. Checked on them daily. Of course, had to have a competition to see whose was the tallest. And at the end one wee lad, who'd put his heart into tending these plants over what had been an extraordinary summer, took a tiny tomato in his hand and after much coaxing put it in his mouth. Taking that first bite he gave us all the faces. He beamed. Full of pride. He was 16. His first tomato.
“This wee lad’s face stayed with me. It is my go to for what social work is about. To me, #SocialWorkAtItsBest is the small stuff. It is hearing. A smile. An ask if ok. A promise kept. Being present in that moment knowing you aren't nec wanted but just might be needed. Kindness.
“To smarten the small stuff is to understand the fundamental importance of relationship-based practice and hold every growing evidence-based knowledge of the impact of poverty and trauma. Being of community. Knowing yourself. Working with resources. Being committed to family. Showing up.”
Emma Lewell-Buck, MP for South Shields and former shadow education secretary, has backed the campaign, writing on Twitter: “#SocialWorkAtItsBest is trending, it should be every single day.
“The work social workers do is often hidden but the most powerful. To all those (from what I remember that’s all of you) still at work right now, keep going. Keep being the brave, kind and principled people you are.”