Shadowing in Social Work: How to Learn Actively, Ask Confidently, and Get the Experience You Need

Vicki Shevlin
17 minutes ago
2 min read

Shadowing is one of the most valuable parts of your social work induction — but it’s also something that many new social workers feel awkward about.

You might not know how to ask, you might worry about bothering people, or you might be unsure what to actually do when you’re shadowing. The truth is, it’s not just about “following someone around” — it’s about making the experience work for you.

Start by knowing your why. Don’t send a vague “Can I shadow you?” email — be specific. Ask if you can join a home visit, sit in on a meeting, or observe how they screen referrals. The more focused your request, the easier it is for someone to say yes.

Then, shadow actively, not passively. Even if you’re just observing, prepare as if you were the allocated social worker — read the case file, think through what you’d do, and reflect on how you might approach the situation differently.

Finally, use your time wisely. Shadowing doesn’t have to be a full day — sometimes a one-hour meeting or 20 minutes with a colleague will give you more insight than a whole day of passive observation.

And if you’re not getting shadowing opportunities? Speak up. Raise it in supervision, be clear about what you need, and keep asking until you get the experience that will help you grow.

🎧 Listen to the full episode of Social Work Sorted for my step-by-step guide to making the most of shadowing — plus how to ask with confidence and reflect on what you learn.

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