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Natalie
My name is Natalie, I started this blog as a Newly Qualified Social Worker working with adults. I have now progressed to a level 3 Social Worker and want to continue sharing my experiences.

The point of Social Work


As I explained in a previous blog I am currently working on a project separate from my team. I have really enjoyed this but it has feel a step away from Social Work even though I am completing Care Act Assessments as I would be in my normal job and asking the same questions. I think because there has been a time crunch on the project it has meant that I have been getting the information quicker and then getting everything processed. Which has been the best for the people in the situation but has meant there has been less opportunity to relationship build.

I have enjoyed working on this project up to now and it is coming to the end of the process and I am looking forward to going back to my own team. I have found that when visiting people for the odd cases I am still holding in my own team I have really enjoyed the opportunity to relationship build and support people in a more holistic way as opposed to working through a process to be completed as soon as possible.

It has made me realise how much I enjoy long term work and although short term is enjoyable I would not want that to be my job long term. I like to get to know the person, visit numerous times and view them in a more holistic way. It allows you to delve deeper into whether what they have got at present is working or is something needs to be changed. It also means that you can identify other support they may require, either paid or from the community because it gives them a chance to discuss with you other aspects of their lives.

I find that it also gives the chance to get to know the family and provide them with any required support. There have been occasions where although the initial visit was focused on issues with a care provider through having an in depth discussion I recognised that this person also needed mental health support and some social relationships. This allowed me to look at options that provide this and refer them for counselling and provide information on local groups that could be of interest to them. The person was so grateful I was given really good feedback and to me that was a standard visit and viewing someone holistically.

This is a big part of Social Work practice that I feel like I have been missing at the moment and look forward to getting back to.

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