Ana – I became a social worker because…
Written by Ana Popovici, Director of Children’s Services at the London Borough of Wandsworth.
I began my professional life as a teacher and I made the change to social work to be able to make a difference to the whole of their lives for children who needed support, change, and empowerment.
I have been comfortable in this skin for over twenty years, and every day I wake up ready and committed to go again. Every day is different. I bring with me the skills I have learned over time, plus my own passion, yet I can only rely on them to get me to the starting gate. Each child and family is unique, and I have to listen to their story and their story alone, to be able to connect with them and help them.
I speak as if I am still a social worker and that is what I am as a Director of Children’s Services – still a social worker. I find it helps me with leadership if I see it through a practice lens and that way, through the lens of children.
Of course, much of the time we are administering a complex legal framework that over more than 50 years has built-in additional protection and support for children. We know so much more now. About the impact on children of domestic abuse, about the risks they face in the community as well as at home, and about groups of children and young people who were hidden in plain sight for centuries who are now a little more out in the open – SEND children and young carers are just two.
I know in my head and my heart how important our support as social workers are to those children and their families. It is impossible to overstate the importance of support. Sometimes, it means a child or a parent is being heard for the first time. At other times, it means a child or a parent, or both feel that the problems they face are being shared with someone who understands them and what can be done to improve their daily lives.
Ours is a stunning and rewarding profession. It is also a profession with a great future. Now is a great opportunity to expand the social care workforce family with people being made redundant in other businesses and professions. The pandemic has brought about devastation but as the economy changes gear, for example, with far fewer retail jobs, it is a great opportunity to offer re-training to people who want it, in social work. as a second career.
It is never too late to start out as a social worker and you won’t regret it. It is one of the greatest jobs in the world, to be in a position of caring for and supporting our most vulnerable citizens. A healthy social work profession is the hallmark of a civilised society.
Tell us your social work story at stories@socialworkawards.com telling us your name, job, contact details and social care number (just so we know you’re a social worker, we will keep it private).