Rotherham children's social worker reveals daily challenges

New recruit, 24-year-old Alison (not her real name) will explain what it's really like to be a children's social worker - the highs and the lows.

It will track her personal journey from court appearances for residence orders to offering vital support to families as well as the challenging and uplifting parts of the job.

The month-long blog, which started this week is in support of the Children's Social Work Matters campaign, a region-wide drive to encourage more people to consider children's social work as a career and tackle some of the misconceptions about the role.

Alison graduated from Sheffield Hallam University in September last year before taking up a job as a Children’s Social Worker with Rotherham Council.

Having left school at 16 with ten GCSEs she had a number of call centre and bar jobs.

Have you had experience of children's social work, either as a professional, a family member or a child? Click here to share your experiences.

Then, in 2006, events in her personal life left her homeless and having to find accommodation in a hostel. During this difficult time Alison took up voluntary work at a local refuge and found herself working closely with women and children.

Alison said: "While volunteering at the refuge I realised I really enjoyed working with families and decided children's social work would be the right career choice for me.

"To boost my qualifications I went on an Access Course, studied health, psychology, sociology and ethics and applied to do a social work degree at Sheffield Hallam University."

Her job now entails working with children who are being taken into care, often in difficult circumstances, which can include neglect or abuse.

She works with parents and authorities to draw up a care plan which includes fostering, adoption or residential care. Wherever possible she tries to keep children in the family home with extra support.

Alison said: “It can be stressful at times but to know that I’m able to make a difference to the lives of vulnerable children makes me realise it's the right role for me.

“I hope my blog will help to tackle some of the misconceptions about the role of children's social workers and encourage more people to take it up as a career.”

To follow Alison's blog visit www.childrenssocialworkmatters.org until 17 February 2012.

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