What A Social Worker Is Vs. What It Isn't

As a social worker of over 18 years, I've had the privilege of working with diverse groups, from people with physical, neurodivergence and/or learning disabilities, to those dealing with mental health challenges.  

I've seen firsthand the positive impact we can make, but, unfortunately, there’s still a negative public perception of social workers.  

The British Association of Social Workers’ introduction of the Journalism Award for recognising quality, informed reporting of social work in the media is a step in the right direction to raise positive awareness and reduce misrepresentation in our profession. 

On my mission to shift the stigma, I’ll be posting real, human insights into who we really are, and what we really do. 

What a social worker is: 

1. A human rights advocate: We're passionate about defending people and their rights. We stand against all forms of discrimination and work hard to make sure everyone can access the services they need, and get the same chances as the rest of us.  

2. A change maker: From constantly evolving the way we work to creating pathways to give people the best shot at living an independent life, we’re key players in driving positive change in our communities. 

3. A supportive ally: We help people overcome societal prejudices and get them the resources and opportunities they need to thrive. Our goal is to empower those we work with to achieve things they’d never thought they could. 

4. A listener/learner: We make sure people feel heard. Even if they’ve been assessed as lacking the capacity to make certain decisions, we prioritise their views, strengths, needs, hopes, and dreams. 

5. A real person: Some of us have been there. Chances are, we’ve faced our own adversities, whether it’s an abusive childhood, disabilities, caregiving, addictions, or domestic abuse to name a few. This empathy fuels our dedication to supporting, understanding, and advocating for what people need. 

   
   

What a social worker isn't: 

1. A pen pusher: Of course there's paperwork involved, but our work is so much more than that. It’s about doing things differently to build trust and encourage meaningful interactions – so we can support people how they need us to. 

2. A fixer: We're not here to "fix" people. We empower them to find their own solutions and support them on their journey to self-sufficiency and fulfilment. 

3. A preacher: We don't lecture about what's right or wrong. Our role is to support and guide, not to judge or impose our views. 

4. Perfect: We’re not perfect, and we don't have all the answers, but we’re always trying to find a solution. Life’s full of ups and downs, and we're here to support people through both. 

5. Detached: For us, it’s personal. We build honest relationships, grounded in compassion, trust, and respect. We’re humans trying our best to help other humans.