If you're new here, welcome to a reintroduction to me, Vicki, and why I started Social Work Sorted, and The Social Work Collective.
If you haven't read part 1 head here. I talk about the start of my journey to social work up to my social work degree.
I had no idea what to expect from a social work masters. I knew it was intense, with a daily timetable very different to my undergraduate degree in drama and two practice placements to look forward to/worry about intensely.
There were so many lessons but here are the ones that really stuck with me;
Social Work is political
I will always be grateful that my degree began with context. Yes, the context was messy and made social work feel more complex but it was like having roots planted that have kept me standing through my career. I talk to some students (depending on their journey to qualification) who don't know what the 'poor law' was, and it makes me sad to think how disconnected we can feel from the complicated foundations of this profession.
Social Work is about power and control
I remember naively rolling my eyes in a lecture where the tutor opened with the line, 'social work is about power and control'. I cringe thinking about my reaction. I thought he was jaded and negative, and was firmly convinced he was trying to smother our enthusiasm, but I now see the realism and honesty behind his comment. I believe we can enter into social work from a desire to be compassionate, and uphold social justice, but we can't ignore our position as 'agents of the state' and if we aren't staying critically reflective about power and control then we aren't doing our job.
Social Work is about relationships
During my group interview for my social work masters I met my friend Tal. We ended up on the same course and over 9 years we have seen each other through huge life changes. The lecturers whose lessons stayed with me were the ones who connected to how I was feeling and showed me empathy and care. The social workers I met during my placements were kind and thoughtful. Every positive experience in my career has been connected to a positive relationship and this has stayed with me through practice.
Placements should be placements
My first placement was in a voluntary agency providing drug and alcohol support for adults. I was worried before I started because I didn't think I'd be doing 'proper' social work, not that I could tell you what 'proper' social work is. Looking back now I am so grateful for the time I had and I know how fortunate I was to be treated like a student and not an employee. I had time to listen and talk with people who accessed the centre where I was based. I was able to sit in on group meetings and even trial acupuncture which was offered as an intervention. I already had my own views on addiction but this placement cemented the need for me to take the time to understand individuals and their life stories. It helped me to hold onto empathy for people in my life with similar struggles.
Good habits can start early
My second placement was in a children's duty and assessment team - I stayed in children's services from this - and I loved it. Love feels like an unusual word to use but I realised that I enjoyed working with entire families rather than individuals. I also reflect on the initial power and control comment from my lecturer, because being honest I certainly felt more able to intervene as a children's social worker than I did working with adults. I know now that was about control and not necessarily a positive thing. One habit I can wholeheartedly attribute to my second placement was taking a break, and specifically a lunchtime walk. I remember my manager at the time was particular about going for a walk every lunchtime. He said he did it because no one could find him as oppose to him sitting in the office, which I completely understand but it was also about space away from a desk and time to move. I'm so glad I've kept up with this habit, and even if it hasn't been a daily occurrence in practice, it's one small thing I always come back to.
If you have lessons from your social work degree or course I'd love to know what they are. You can get in touch with me vicki@socialworksorted.com and if this inspires you to share your own blog or reflection then please tag me so I can read.
Some references below if you want to read more about, or want a refresher on the poor law or the history of the welfare state. It's good to stay connected and to remember you are a critically thinking being - not an assessment writing robot.
Higginbotham, Peter. (2004). A Brief History of Social Work From the English Poor Laws to the Progressive Policies of President Barack Obama.
Malcolm Golightley, Margaret Holloway, Editorial, The British Journal of Social Work, Volume 46, Issue 1, January 2016, Pages 1–7, https://doi.org/10.1093/bjsw/bcw001
Are you a newly qualified social worker? Find out more about my membership, The Social Work Collective HERE
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