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A Day in the Life of a Social Worker during the COVID-19 Pandemic

Charlotte Young, Advanced Social Work Practitioner

Sheffield City Council Children’s Disability Service

I start the working day after having breakfast in my kitchen by going to my office (which is my kitchen) having said goodbye to my partner who goes up to the spare room, who also works for Sheffield City Council.

My first video call of the day is to a great grandmother who shows me two young children on an unannounced video call. The children are happy and it is the first time I have got to see the younger child sit at a table and draw. The great grandmother doesn’t realise that the sound isn’t working on the video call and has a long conversation with me that I cannot hear. When I call her back she advises me she was trying to show me the eldest child’s presents that she got for her birthday today.

I then attend a morning team meeting on Zoom and it is really good to see colleagues again. I even feel like I am back at work with the team when I hear the office fire alarm go off for a test. During this call my cat also wants to join the team meeting and puts her face on the camera!

Next, I have a video visit to a family of four. The eldest child can only say a few words verbally due to his additional needs. However today, he played a piano on his iPad very loudly for both me and my neighbours.

I have a bad feeling when I see two children who are on child protection plans for physical abuse when the youngest child has a cut and swollen lip, however she proceeds to tell me that she isn’t happy as a younger boy in school pushed her over and she starts showing me the grazes on her knee.

I then do a virtual child protection visit and I don’t need to ask to speak to the children on their own as they have already walked off with the phone to speak to me.

After this, another video call this time to a three year old in an adoptive placement. He tries to play a game to see how far up the stairs he can go before I can’t see him on the screen. After he comes back down to speak to me, I have a view, I wouldn’t usually have, up his nose, as he has pressed his face against the phone camera.

Into the afternoon now, I ask to see one of the children on a video call and mum starts walking upstairs to show me, however I don’t think the grandfather was too happy to appear on the video call as the mother also shows me her father who is trying to sleep in bed.

There is a benefit of doing a video calls to one teenager as I can now see them without needing a second worker with me. The family has just moved into a new home and whilst I don’t normally get to see the girls’ bedroom she shows me round the house and her new bedroom. The girl is with her mum and insists on me playing a game with her (Kazuit I think?!). Though I cannot see the questions on the screen she insists that I give her answers. I had clearly been on the video call for a while as the cat comes up to me and starts meowing for attention.

Whilst video calls are not the same as home visits, you can pick up on some body language and behaviour. During one video call to see two children, I notice that the mum is sat down at the other side of the room appearing very quiet and looking unhappy. After some more chat and questions mum says there has been a domestic abuse incident. So whilst I am waiting for two duty workers to visit the home my virtual contact with the mother continues. Both she and one of the children become distressed and I have to help them calm down. The duty workers visit and have a socially distanced conversation with mother and a safety plan is put in place.

It’s getting late now and I do a video call to a teenager who is non-verbal and does not use any Makaton signs and symbols or other communication symbols. This is mainly a one way conversation – however it is clear he is happy during the conversation as he is smiling into the screen. The conversation is hijacked a few times by his younger brother who keeps popping his head in front of the screen.

Finally, I do one of my frequent video calls to a young child who has global developmental delay (when children are significantly delayed in their cognitive and physical development). His mother tries to get him to look at the screen and wave but he is more interested in ‘Mr Tumble’ on TV.  But mum is excited to show me the child signing a dinosaur.

I end the day switching off my laptop and making the short commute to the kettle.

Twilight class to mark World Social Work Day

‘Promoting the importance of human relationships’.

Our theme for this event centres on women’s homelessness, adoption and issues for birth parents.

You are warmly invited to attend a twilight event to mark World Social Work Day on 17th March, organised by the Department of Sociological Studies, University of Sheffield.

 

Guest Speakers:

Professor Anya Ahmed, University of Salford

Dr Kesia Reeve, Sheffield Hallam University

Hannah Gal, producer/documentary maker

Joe Smeeton, University of Sheffield

 

When: 

Tuesday, 17th March from 16:45 to 20:00

 

Where:

The Diamond, Lecture Theatre 2, The University of Sheffield, 199 Leavygreave Road, Sheffield (University roundabout)

Travel by tram or bus – car parking will be difficult.

 

Join us on World Social Work Day to reflect on the Internal Federation of Social Work’s (IFSW) theme for this year which is ‘Promoting the importance of human relationships’. Our theme for this event centres women’s homelessness, adoption and issues for birth parents.

We are delighted to welcome Hannah Gal, documentary maker, to introduce a screening of ‘Take this longing’, a documentary about homeless women who have experienced the adoption of their children. We are pleased to have Joe Smeeton, Lecturer in Social Work at the University of Sheffield, talking about adoption and birth parents alongside Dr Kesia Reeve from Sheffield Hallam University talking about her research into women’s homelessness.  Professor Anya Ahmed from University of Salford will be discussing structural challenges and homelessness.

We will end the event with a Q&A panel and we then invite you to network over drinks and nibbles.

To register for this event, please visit EventBrite on https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/an-event-for-world-social-work-day-2020-tickets-89768703609 . You will need the following password – Reg.

Social Workers honoured at national awards ceremony 2019

 

Seventeen inspiring social workers, teams and organisations from across England have been recognised for their contribution to the profession after winning top awards at the national Social Worker of the Year Awards on Friday 29th November 2019.

Annika Leyland-Bolton, Doncaster Council won the silver in Team leader of the year in  Adult Services.

Louise Pashley, Rotherham Metropolitan Borough Council not only won the gold award for Team Leader of the Year, Children’s Services but she also won the winner of winners Overall Social Worker of the Year Award. The award is selected from the gold winners of each category by the Board of Trustees of The Social Work Awards, the registered charity behind the annual event.

Louise, who has lived in Rotherham all her life, has worked for the council’s Leaving Care service for over 20 years, supporting young people aged 16-25 leaving the care system. During her time as the team’s manager, the service has progressed from an inadequate to outstanding Ofsted rating. The judges praised Louise’s strength of character, impressive leadership and unwavering dedication to her hometown

Huge congratulations to all of the other winners and finalists.

The full list of Gold and Silver winners can be found here https://www.socialworkawards.com/uncategorized/social-workers-honoured-at-national-awards-ceremony-2-1978/

Yorkshire and Humber finalists

Children’s Social Work Awards

Creative & Innovative Social Work Practice

Future Service, Leeds

Social Work Employer of the Year

Children’s Services, Leeds

Children’s Services, North Yorkshire

Team Leader of the Year, Children’s Services

Louise Pashley, Rotherham

Team of the Year, Children’s Services

Barnsley CYP Team

Children’s Social Worker of the Year

Tiffany Cook, North Yorkshire

Championing Social Work Values

Gail Faulkner, Leeds

 

Adults Social Work Awards

Team Leader of the Year, Adults Services

Annika Leyland-Bolton, Doncaster Trust

Jack Skinner, Bradford

Team of the Year, Adults Services

Mental Health SW Team, North Lincs

Mental Health Social Worker of the Year

Chloe Greenfield, North Lincs

 

National Teaching Partnership Conference – Hosted by Cheshire & Merseyside Social Work Teaching Partnership

The National Teaching Partnership was held on the 14th of November with many Teaching partnerships in attendance along with other agencies such as Social Work England.

Dave Bosworth Of University of Sheffield outlined in his workshop how the Teaching Partnership  has built relationships between universities & LAs through aligning the practice curriculum, enhancing practice education & CPD such as the ‘Social worker in Courtroom’ module’

Dot Smith programme manager of South Yorkshire Teaching Partnership  presented a workshop on How Teaching Partnerships can survive without government funding.

So see all the workshop’s please click on the links below

1A The Impact of Practitioner Teaching on Staff Development in the Local Authority

1B Rural Social Work – Challenges and Opportunities

1C Bridging the Gap Between Academia and Practice

2A Creating a Culture of Research Mindedness in Social Work

2B A Case Study in Sustainability

3A Transitioning Teaching Partnerships from Start-up to BAU Self-funding Partnerships

3B Building an Effective Relationship Between Academia and Practice – Lessons from the SYTP

4C Sustainability Planning – How Your Teaching Partnership Can Survive Without Government Funding

Key Note Speech – Enabling positive change in social work

Practice Supervisor Development Programme

South Yorkshire Teaching Partnership Celebration and Achievements Conference 2019

Audience
Welcome and Overview of the day –

 Carly Speechley

 

Carly Speechley
 Awards Ceremony – Carly Speechley – Director of Children and Families Sheffield City Council

 

 Awards

ASYE of the Year

  • Winner – Sam Parsons
  • Runner up – Megan Stanley

Student of the Year

  • Winner – Helen Price
  • Runner up – Amica Hyacinth

Social Worker of the Year

  • Winner – Lisa Couch
  • Runner up – Adrian Rushton

Manager of the Year

  • Winner – Louise Danks
  • Runner up – Katie Fisher

Practice Educator of the Year

Joint Winners – Kay Newton and Caroline Pickard

Extra Mile

  • Winner – Yvette Cotton
  • Runner up – Joanne Askew
 Film Festival – Highlights – Dr David Johnson Sheffield Hallam University Film Festival – Experts by Experience

https://youtu.be/6ohNmcIZGLI

Workshops 1
  • Caring 2 Learn Team – Lincolshire
  • Contextual Safeguarding – Barnsley
  • Practice Development Supervisors Programme – Rotherham
Workshops 2
  • Role of Social Worker in Mental Health – Sheffield Health and Social Care Trust
  • Hear Me – Doncaster Children’s Services Trust
  • Transitions and Assistive Technology – Adults Collaboration
So what does Social Work under WTO Rules look like?–Allan Norman – University of Sheffield  Allan’s Presentation
Colum Conway –Chief Executive, Social Work England – Importance of CPD for Social Workers

Colum Conway
Professor Sue White – Summary & Close
Kay Newton

 

Louise Danks and Lisa Couch
Yvette Cotton, Caroline Pickard and Katie Fisher
Helen Price and Sam Parsons

 

 

 

Workforce Development Contacts

To book a place on any of our CPD modules or courses, please discuss the CPD opportunity you are interested in with your line manager during supervision/appraisal. If your manager agrees to nominate you for a module/course, and you are available to attend all dates for that module, they will need to contact your authority’s Workforce Development contact (see below) to put your name forward for the module.

Workforce Development contacts

Sheffield - Children'sSally DeanSally.Dean@Sheffield.gov.uk
Sheffield - AdultsLouise ChambersLouise.Chambers@sheffield.gov.uk
Doncaster - Children'sYvette Cottonyvette.cotton@dcstrust.co.uk
Doncaster - AdultsSharon WhiteSharon.White2@doncaster.gov.uk
Rotherham - Children'sTina BatesTina.Bates@Rotherham.gov.uk
Rotherham - AdultsNigel MitchellNigel.Mitchell@Rotherham.gov.uk
Barnsley - Children's and AdultsSue PriceSuePrice2@Barnsley.gov.uk
Lincolnshire - Children'sLisa TaylorLisaX.Taylor@lincolnshire.gov.uk

If you are offered a place on a module or course, you will need to complete the university’s application and registration processes. For details about registering for a course/module, please see http://www.southyorkshireteachingpartnership.co.uk/cpd-application-and-registration-processes/

CPD: Frequently asked questions

Please note that the information on this page relates to  CPD modules/courses which are accredited by the University of Sheffield or Sheffield Hallam University.

Where will the modules/courses be held?  

    • Modules/courses relating to children and families,  Leadership and Mentoring,  PgCert and Adult Social Worker in the Court will be held at the University of Sheffield . Exact locations will be confirmed once you are registered onto a course
    • Modules/courses relating to adult social workers will be held at Sheffield Hallam University.  Exact locations will be confirmed once you are registered onto the course
    • Practice Educator modules are not yet confirmed, but please note that these may be held at a location within South Yorkshire but outside of Sheffield.

How much does a module/course cost?   

    • The majority of modules cost £500/£585 per student for 15 credits and £1000 per student for 30 credits. The PG Cert in Leadership and Management costs £3000 per student. If you are nominated for a module then these costs will be covered by your employer as part of their commitment to your continuing professional development.
    • Please note that if you discontinue a module/course without good reason, or fail to show satisfactory attendance, then you may be required to repay some or all of these costs. Please see the SYTP Learning Contract, for more information
    • There may be an opportunity for some students to self-fund places on modules where they are not selected for a funded place. Please see below for more information.

What happens if I am registered on a module/course but can no longer attend?  

    • The module dates are set out in the CPD brochure (contact southyorkshireteachingpartnership@sheffield.gov.uk for a copy). Please ensure that you are free to attend ALL course dates before applying for a place on a module.
    • If once you have applied/registered, something comes up and you can no longer attend, you must let both the University and your Workforce Development contact know as soon as possible. Please note that you may be required to repay some or all of the fees, expenses and other costs associated with the Learning Activity if you discontinue the course without sufficient good reason.
  • What happens if I miss lectures?  
    • Please ensure that you are free to attend ALL course dates before applying for a place on a module.
    • Please note that you may be required to repay some or all of the fees, expenses and other costs associated with the Learning Activity if you fail to show satisfactory attendance.
  • What happens if I am not selected for a place on a module/course?  
    • If you are not selected for a place on a module or course, then there may be an opportunity for you to self-fund a place via salary sacrifice. Please note that this option may not be available in some areas, and will not be available if a module or course is full.
    • Please contact your HR Department or Workforce Development contact for more information.

Do I need to be a registered social worker? 

    • Yes, you need to be a registered social worker for all modules and courses, with the exception of the PG Cert in Leadership and Management which is also open to non-registered managers who meet the entry criteria.

How do I build up my credits to gain a qualification?

  • All CPD modules are accredited and social workers can therefore build up credits towards a range of postgraduate qualifications.
    • For modules delivered by the University of Sheffield qualifications can range from a certificate, diploma or MA in Advanced Professional Practice. Credits remain valid for up to 6 years. Please note that the PG Certificate in Management and Leadership is a stand-alone course, and the credits therefore cannot be used towards a diploma or MA in Advanced Professional Practice
    • For modules delivered by Sheffield Hallam University the qualification will be a Post Graduate Certificate in Advanced Adult Social Worker
  • N.b only a very small number of people will be sponsored by the SYTP to undertake the additional modules required for the full MA at the University of Sheffield. There may be an opportunity for some people to self-fund a place on the MA via salary sacrifice. Please note that this option may not be available in some areas, and will not be available if a module or course is full. Please contact your HR Department or Workforce Development lead for more information.
  • N.b. you are not currently able to transfer CPD credits between our two university partners

Will I get study time?  

    • The South Yorkshire Teaching Partnership recognises the importance of independent study time in enabling staff to fully engage with and reflect on learning, and in ensuring that learning is used to develop and improve their practice. In order to ensure that all staff enrolled on these modules receives study time, we have therefore agreed to build study time into the module timetables.
    • For instance, a module might include half a day of self-directed learning in its timetable. The amount of learning time varies per module depending on the format of the module and the number of module credits.

Are the modules open to everyone?

 

Social Work Education Panel: Experts by Experience

Fiona Addison, the SYTP lead for Service User and Carer Engagement, talks about how SWEP’s ‘experts by experience’ are currently involved in Teaching Partnership activities:

With a record number of trained ‘experts’ including foster carers, adult carers, care leavers and young carers we are at the beginning of our busiest and most demanding time of year. Both universities have started their recruitment/assessment sessions for social work students and we represent the voice of children, young people and their carers at every event.  At the University of Sheffield we provide speed interviews and service user representatives on the interview panels; and at Hallam we participate in group observations alongside academics and practitioners and then score the students’ written insights on how they performed in the group activity.

In addition we provide workshops for students on placement, titled ‘It ain’t what you do it’s the way that you do it’ the workshop focuses on messages for social workers from children and young people in care, and uses the award winning film from our children in care council.  Foster carers facilitate the small group discussions throughout the workshop, and to date feedback has been excellent.  We participate in the annual ‘Living Library’ events at UoS, with 5 or 6 carers routinely joining 50+ students to share their ‘expertise’.   We also contribute on an ad hoc basis to individual lectures/seminars as and when invited by the academic lead.

Recruitment/assessment in numbers:

  • 14 trained foster carers
  • 1 trained parent/carer (from Rotherham)
  • 12 trained young people including care leavers, young carers and birth children in foster families (from Sheffield and Doncaster)
  • 19 selection events (7 completed)
  • Over 400 students predicted to be interviewed/observed

We’re looking forward to:

  • Attending lectures to get a feel for the social work curriculum and it’s delivery
  • More structured participation in social work education but with a clear focus on co-production
  • Becoming an ‘Experts by Experience’ resource linked in with individual academics’ areas of knowledge and specialism so we can contribute to the design and delivery of course content

Queries, questions, comments welcome to Fiona.addison@sheffield.gov.uk

Comments from service users and carers who have been involved in SWEP activities:

“Our work improves the jobs of the new social workers coming through, because we can pass on all our experiences, good and not so good, and what we think makes a good SW, and what children and YP expect, that makes them glad they have a good SW. Also what we or /yp/ think is a bad SW!”

 “I feel that the gap between social workers and foster carers is narrowing, both sides giving our own perspectives of the service, the pros and cons, and giving both sides a better understanding of the jobs we have and hold dear.”

Comments from students participating in ‘Service Users are People Too’ workshop, December 2016:

what a fantastic class, I really felt involved and respected”

“very good to hear the perspective of the people who support children for the large periods we are not there. How they deal with the repercussions of our actions/decisions”

“Really puts into perspective how important it is to explain what is happening to service users”