#006 Growth in Social Work
Reflections from the week on growth
The weeks fly by don’t they?
It seems that each week passes with such speed that I struggle to keep up with the world around me and it is only by taking specific time to sit and reflect that I am able to appreciate how I am growing and a professional.
Earlier this week I tweeted that growth only happens when we can accept our own vulnerability. I do not know everything and never pretend I do. But to learn and develop in social work, it is important that I acknowledge my weaknesses and seek to learn from those who have a deeper knowledge than myself.
This particular thought came to me when I was watching the David Baddiel documentary on Channel 4 called “Jews don’t count” which comes from his book of the same name. I consider myself a proud social worker. I believe in the values as a means to create a safer, fairer society. The values of anti-oppressive practice and challenging discrimination are core to my identity.
So watching this documentary I realised that I do not really know much about the challenges Jews face in society. I was oblivious to the daily racism which Jewish people endure. I was watching the programme and I have never realised that half of the people David was talking to were even Jewish. This has made me question how understanding I can be as a professional to the issues faced by this section of society, this section of our communities. And it has shaken me deeply both personally and professionally.
I need to do more. I need to educate and learn more. I need to go beyond the single tweets, the YouTube videos and reach out to people from these communities. I need to do better to be able to serve better.
Inspiring Quote
Learn from yesterday, live for today, hope for tomorrow. The important thing is to not stop questioning - Albert Einstein
This quote seems relevant this week and this is where you come in. Nobody understands everyone’s situation. Do you truly understand what the experience of minority groups are really like in todays society? Is there something you can do to improve your understanding? Can you reach out to learn and understand someone else’s perspective?
Before David’s show was aired, I had already been thinking about how I can learn more about the experiences of people who have Social Work involvement in their lives. This has led me to reach out to people who might be willing to share their experiences as part of this newsletter. So in the coming weeks, there will be additional publications of this newsletter entitled “A letter to Social Work…”.
The premise of these issues will be letters from people who have had social workers in their lives, across all practice areas reflecting on how they have viewed the interventions. What was good, what helped, how the person was made to feel and what advice they would give to future Social Workers.
This sits closely with the Social Work England Standards of Practice for Social Workers, in particular Standard 4.1: Incorporate feedback from a range of sources, including from people with lived experience of my social work practice.
So if you know of anyone who might be willing to write a letter to social work as part of this newsletter, please direct them to me or send me a message. Equally, if you are someone who has experienced Social Work practice yourself, and you would like to share your perspective, please do message me. All submissions will be in confidence and we can discuss how to get your views across within your limits of acceptability. There will be no pressure and you will be free to change your mind at any time.
That is all for this week. Remember, no matter how stressed or difficult things may be, you are doing amazing things and there are people in this world whose life is better because you choose to do what you are doing.
You really are wonderful.