Most social workers feel proud to be part of the profession, says Sarah Blackmore, executive director of professional practice and external engagement at Social Work England. “It can be a challenging role. However, our research shows that the vast majority of social workers are proud to tell others about their work,” she says.
According to Blackmore, social workers are often driven by values such as human rights, equality and social justice, as well as a desire to “help people to improve their lives and have a positive impact on communities”.
Below, five social workers describe what drew them to the profession – and how they feel about the work they do.
‘I wanted to put back into the system what it gave me’
Charlie Hornsbury is a social worker at West Sussex county council, working with children. He grew up in care, where he says he had mixed experiences. “I left that situation feeling like I wanted to make a difference, I wanted to make a change,” he says.
Hornsbury says he now feels able to do that. He works with around 20 children and has helped turn lives around – some children have better attendance at school or have gone to university, for example. “It’s always a wonderful thing when a child invites you into their life and into their way of thinking,” he says. “When I see those successes it makes it all worth it for me.”
Hornsbury says he has no regrets about becoming a social worker. “I always wanted to put back into the system what it gave me and ultimately I do feel like I’m doing that,” he says. “I have a great sense of achievement doing what I do. I’ve had different professions in my life – such as accounting and catering – but I’ve never worked in a profession that has been as meaningful as social work.”
‘We’ve got each other’s backs’
Many social workers are driven by a desire to make a difference in people’s lives. Meghan Peacock grew up caring for her mum and wanted to help others. She is now working as a social worker at Oxfordshire county council. “It’s always been very close to my heart,” she says. Her work involves doing face-to-face visits and care needs assessments. Peacock says her team works on a strengths-based approach, which involves talking to someone to figure out what they’re good at and what they need. “We work with so many diverse people,” says Peacock. “I love listening to their stories – no day is boring.”
Peacock’s proudest moments include helping a man with dementia to retain a level of independence and helping a woman out of an abusive situation. She’s able to do the sometimes challenging work because she has the help of a team behind her. “We’ve got each other’s backs,” she says. “I love my job – the satisfaction from seeing the results is better than anything I could ask for.”
‘Everything I’ve done in my life has led me to social work’
Lucy Isherwood is team manager of a child protection and court team at Cornwall council. She previously studied law and politics and worked for a charity before moving into social work.
“I wanted to significantly impact people’s lives – everything I’ve done in my life has led me to social work,” she says, adding that she would feel honoured that “a family would let me into their private space, into their lives, into their homes”.
Now in a management role, the bulk of Isherwood’s day is spent in meetings, supporting social workers in their decision-making and signing off on paperwork. It’s challenging work for both her and the frontline members of her team, but having the support of colleagues helps. “There’s a really supportive culture and that’s something I’ve worked hard to build – we’ve done things like yoga, meditation and spa days,” she says. “You need to be able to step away.”
‘I love listening to people talk about their lives’
Nicola Wheat is just starting out in her career at Oxfordshire county council and recently finished her assessed and supported year in employment, during which she worked on her portfolio, received feedback and was given time for training and research.
Wheat says she has a supportive team and is very happy in her job. “I love listening to people talk about their lives and I feel very proud. I would tell others how rewarding and how meaningful it is. I’m so passionate about social work and the positive impact you can have on someone’s life.”
‘It’s different to what people might imagine a social worker does’
Miriam Williams is a qualified social worker who worked in frontline child protection before taking on a role as a local authority designated officer for West Sussex Safeguarding Children Partnership. In her new role she oversees allegations made against people who work or volunteer with children, such as teachers, foster carers or police officers – people in positions of trust who might have contact with hundreds of children.
“It’s different to what people might imagine a social worker does,” says Williams, whose role involves liaising with different employers to support and guide them after an allegation has been made. She also delivers training on what to look out for and when to make a referral.
She says: “I’ve got a passion for keeping children safe – and I find it rewarding knowing children will be safer as a result of the work that I do.”
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