Working as a children's social worker in the UK can be a challenging and rewarding profession that involves supporting vulnerable children and families in need. Today, we thought we’d delve into the realities of the role and share three things you probably didn’t know…
1.The worry that you missed something will consume your thoughts
We all know that feeling of dread that creeps up on you when you’re off to the airport - “what if you forgot your passport?”, those intrusive thoughts hiss, or worse, left the oven on?! Now imagine this but as a social worker who struggles to switch off because they’re worried about how their case is getting on without the safety of school, every time the weekend roles around. This is part of the reality of being a children’s social worker, especially as a newbie. Nonetheless, it is possible to tame these intrusive thoughts and separate work from your personal life and this will get easier as time goes on. Before you make the decision to commit to the world of health and social care, this is an aspect to consider! But don’t worry - you won’t be alone. Here at Imperium Solutions, we make it our priority to support our candidates throughout their role so you can thrive and excel as a social worker.
2. Being let down and letting people down is part of the job description
Letting people down can be a normal part of being a social worker due to limited resources, complex situations, and unforeseen circumstances. Despite your dedication, you may not always achieve desired outcomes in every case, due to the unpredictable and challenging situations faced by your clients - especially when working with children. Vice versa, you may be let down by your clients now and again so it’s important to maintain a positive attitude and try not to take anything to heart (we are very aware this is easier said than done!). Remember, you will never be able to meet everyone’s needs but those moments where you do achieve positive change - for example, when a child finally opens up to you or a parent makes steps to be a better caregiver - makes it all worth while.
3. Moving roles is hard
While you should never compromise career growth, it is important to bear in mind that leaving cases behind is never easy. In the first few weeks of your new role, you may still find yourself wondering how the child you spent so much time supporting is getting on with their new social worker. This is perfectly normal (we are all human after all) so allow yourself to feel these emotions but don’t let it consume you. Ultimately, there will never be a good time to move roles but you have to put yourself and your career first.
Do you want to bring positive change to children and their families? Give our team a call on 0208 929 4000 to chat about the career opportunities on offer.
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