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I am ready to tell the tale in an authority I worked hard for, I was hung out to rot
I was appointed as a Consultant: only two social workers in a vast county were appointed. I was offered a pay scale which was higher than any manager: I must have done well in my interview
But they didn't have any idea what to do with me... they gave me the most 'complicated' families. I was working 70 + hours a week and that was not an exaggeration!
I tried to tell my many manager that I was falling apart a d she was asking too much of me... but she questioned why I was taking out for children to swim or for tea.. that was the role of Foster carers . But the problem was they were in temporary placements where they had not
Developed relationships with the children and they looked to their sw for continuity and stability. In an ideal world we would be content to visit children in their 'placements and know it is ok. Bit way too often we place children in Foster placements that are not good matches
You send off the referral form and you get what you Re given. @MartinBarrow highlights the injustices in placements and how private companies let children down every day. But sometimes you are stuck and.literally have no where to place a child.
I remember in 2019 when I returned to statutory sw I had a stand off with management alongside another colleague where we refused to place a child because the placement was just not adequate. We didn't get to bed until well into the early house hours. I woke up and sobbed.
We had been in a traumatic situation where we had to be widely assertive and at times wildly unprofessional to make sure managers understand this was not an ok placement. In the end; I cradled a small 6 year old child to sleep in a residential that was opened for him. It was safe
But who would want their 6 year old child in that situation, no matter their needs. Looking for a Foster placement is hqrdowibg: sometimes you strike lucky and this is the most wonderful moment... but other times you match adequately with your heckles up and knowing you would not
Have made this choice if other options were available.
And to manager many years ago who told me to manage my diary better and not to grow attached to children or take them swimming.. you were wrong. Turns out the way I was praised for the amazing connection with children was the right way and the way you wanted me to 'pop in' was
The wrong way. I am terrified to learn about this manager's escalation in social care and her senior position. I will always remember her blinking her blank and vapid stare saying 'but why are you teaching W to swim?' I can say now Julie, because no-one else was and I cared alot
I am in a much better place now where my values align with my manager and have more autonomy to fight tooth and nail for the right outcome, even if it takes creative thinking or time. I am lucky that I work with a a manager who cares and give a **ck and only work in this
Environment because of her and her integrity. But it worries me so much about the arbitrary placements and making the children we work with fit with the system, rather than the system fitting with these children. They are not a commodity. They are our future
Most children who have come into care have had the worst experinces: beyond what anyone can imagine. It is not ok for this system to become a commodity. Where are the placements thats meet young peoples needs? It is not hard or complicated just costly ! And that is the reality
Only now, just being able to touch the fragile part in my life where my work literally absorbed everything else I have learned as a sw:
Don't let them tell you they are locating the family because you have the skills: it means they know you will do it with less challenge
Don't let them tell you they are locating the family because you have the skills: it means they know you will do it with less challenge
Don't let them tell you, it is about your diary management. If you are arriving home at 9lm, it is not because you have mismanaged your diary, but because the geographically area takes that long to drive: unless they provide a helicopter, there is nothing that can be done
Don't let them tell you, you are spending too much time with children, if they need you, your gut will tell you and so t ever let them tell you, that this is not your role. Take them let, let children speak freely away from any caregiver. If you don't.. why are you viditing?
If you have too much on...tell your manager.. if they don't listen... escalate.. until you are heard
And for all sws who are just starting: you are entering a pressure.pot. If you know too much is being asked of you; escalate, escalate and then escalate. Don't ever be in a situation that you are not equipped to assess and don't be afraid to raise this at the earliest opportunity
