Not every superhero wears a cape…
Written by Anna Cullen, Principal Child and Family Social Worker, Cambridgeshire County Council and Peterborough City Council
Going into lockdown
I’ve been a social worker for a really long time now, but nothing in my training or experience prepared me for the impact of what is, effectively a natural disaster on how I view social workers. Like everyone else, I had to continue my work whilst considering what could befall me and my family, and at first, everyone was afraid and no-one knew what was going to happen.
We could see the amazing NHS step up to the plate, and be lauded – quite rightly – for their bravery and professionalism. But something amazing started to happen in the offices and teams I visited. Wherever I went, I could hear social workers calling families to find out if they were OK, to ask them if they needed food, toilet roll, a chat, or a visit. I could see them go out on a visit armed with cereal and milk for a family breakfast. I could hear the love and care for their job and the clients they work for in their voices, their case discussions, and the practical things they did to help – even though they were all scared for themselves and their own children, parents, loved ones.
Supporting children and families
Most of us were asked to work at home from March 23, and as councils, we worked hard to ensure our staff were looked after and supported to work as effectively and safely as they could. But that didn’t stop us from wanting to protect children, and, with a carefully considered risk assessment for each visit, many of our social workers continued to visit children and families face to face.
During these times you can find it very easy to forget that the workers have their own family and social issues. My worker has been amazing at keeping me updated with information and just looking out for me.
Quote from a young person
Children were placed, reunifications happened, safeguarding visits were carried out, children were seen and spoken to. I don’t think you can underestimate how important this was for children and families when we were all being asked to stay at home, and that meant many of us didn’t see a ‘live’ person from one week to another. I think we’ve often been told as social workers that we don’t care, we’re ‘only doing it for the money.’ Being in touch, seeing people, chatting on the phone, and asking ‘how are you?’ started to prove to our children and families how deeply social workers really do care about them. And it made me proud all over again to be in this profession.
Keeping in touch
Faced with the challenge of virtual visits, my colleagues tapped into their inner creativity like never before to build that relationship if they couldn’t actually sit down with them in real life. We had art exhibitions, virtual cooking classes, spoken word/rap workshops, and virtual museum tours. One colleague devised a game specifically for a child in care who loves nature, involving taking close-up photos of birds and objects in her back garden for the child to identify just using reference books. And then the child started setting her a photo challenge back! Not that they were both competitive, you understand…
Other colleagues worked with local companies to provide laptops, food parcels and clothing for young people and care leavers living independently, with virtual drop-ins to check each young person had what they needed and could just have a chat if they felt like it. It felt as if colleagues took the pandemic as a personal challenge to put their values into action as creatively as they could, and the force of their determination took my breath away.
My SW has been there for me whenever I have needed her. She contacted me straight away once we went into lockdown and has checked in on us regularly. I send her updates on how things are going. We’ve also had many video calls where she’s engaged with all the children in the house.
Quote from a foster carer
What’s next?
I think it’s fair to say that things will never be quite the same again. We won’t all work in offices together all the time, we’ll be doing more virtual meetings and we’re all starting to get weary and feel a little isolated as we move in and out of different social distancing measures. Despite all this, I can’t help feeling inspired each time I speak to a colleague or read a thank you from a parent or child to their social worker.
Social workers continue to lead, care, and support their clients practically and emotionally regardless of what is thrown at them, and it makes me incredibly proud of each one of my brilliant colleagues.
My worker is brilliant!!! Lots of respect for her for what she’s done in this tricky time!
Quote from a care leaver
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).