We talk a lot, here at Portman Recruitment, about why social work is important and how we have helped social workers. But, we don’t often talk about what an average day in a social worker’s life is like. Well, all that changes from today! In this blog, we’re going to be looking at a day in the life of a social worker.
If you’re looking for an agency that can offer care, support and your new dream social work job, then Portman Recruitment is the place for you. If you’re a social worker looking for a new role, are based in the North West in places such as Manchester, Liverpool, Cumbria, Gloucestershire, Lancashire or anywhere else in England and Wales and have at least a year’s experience then be sure to get in touch with Portman Recruitment today.
A Typical Day In The Life Of A Social Worker Working For A Local Authority In The UK
A social worker’s day begins with the administrative tasks of checking through emails that have arrived overnight, as well as opening mail. To minimise stress on working days it’s important, early on, to prioritise tasks and create an action plan for the day to ensure things get done at the right time and ensure fellow social workers have a clear understanding of your day.
Home visits and meeting with client groups are a big part of a social worker’s day-to-day activities. The next part of the day may involve preparing for these meetings and writing up notes to ensure they are suitably prepared for the events ahead.
Taking thorough case notes on a subject matter, be it to do with a child protection plan, a home visit or safeguarding concerns, allows social workers and support workers to know what is going on, allowing them to use the available evidence to create a care plan.
Attending meetings will take up a big part of a social worker’s day. It’s vital to take copious notes during these meetings including names of attendees. Notes are what social workers use to make decisions so these must be then written up onto the appropriate system so they can be accessed by all.
Another key element of a social worker’s day is ensuring people are heard, respected and that any potential conflicts are mitigated to avoid an altercation. You’re often discussing sensitive topics like domestic violence, substance misuse or parenting which can aggravate people if they feel they are being talked down to.
As we have discovered, there is no such thing as a ‘typical day’ but you may find yourself taking the heat out of situations on a semi-regular basis.
Social workers, daily, must remember to look after themselves. It can be easy for them to forget about their mental health or neglect to look after themselves and take regular breaks – but all these are vital to them being effective in their job.
A social work career will involve days that are varied and challenging but come with priceless rewards. And know that if you ever are struggling, there’s always someone here to help at Portman Recruitment.
Are You A Social Worker Looking For A New Role? Get In Touch With Portman Recruitment Today
If you have at least a year’s experience in social work and want to find a new role then we recommend getting in touch with Portman Recruitment today. We operate across the North West, England and Wales in places such as Stockport, Warrington and Bradford and our group of dedicated consultants look forward to helping you secure your dream role.