Social workers are professionally trained and qualified in social work. They undertake a range of work with service users (that is, people receiving social care services).
There are many specialist areas working with adults. For example:
- Residential care work, which enables people with learning difficulties or mental health problems to live more independent, lives in homes.
- Working with offenders by supervising them in the community, offering support and helping them to find jobs.
- Working with elderly people at home to enable them to make key decisions on their own and assisting them with their care providers.
- Mental health problems, this requires further training and enables you to work alongside doctors, nurses in hospitals and the community.
Larysa Samuels
I came to live in the UK in November 2000. Prior to this I was working as a consultant Dermatologist / Venerologist in Ukraine, my native country. Initially I thought that I could continue my medical career here, however I discovered that, although it was theoretically possible for me to register as a doctor in the UK, in practice it would take at least 10 years to achieve. Family commitments made it impractical for me to spend such a long time doing this. I made the difficult decision to change my career and I decided to train as a Social Worker. I felt that, as a Social Worker, I could still do what I loved the most: helping people to achieve their independence and realise their potential. I still hold on to the same values and want to make sure that, whilst people get the services they need, they are also able to maintain their privacy and dignity and, as far as possible, make their own decisions about their future. I now work in the Carlisle Older Adults Team (Adult Social Care Department) based in the Civic Centre. Training at the Cumberland Infirmary was a very positive experience for me. During my traineeship I was encouraged to help others in my community, to make positive changes to their lives whilst at the same time improving my own social skills. I believe that my experience with Cumbria County Council has broadened my horizons and introduced me to many interesting people. I am very happy working in Cumbria as I have found the people (my colleagues, other professionals, Service Users, their carers and families) to be very friendly and supportive. While I have the opportunity to be independent and use my own initiative, I’ve also always had someone available to ask for advice, and offer practical help and support, when difficulties or dilemmas arise. The best bit about my job is the satisfaction I get from assisting people to make improvements in their lives, and overcome the difficulties they are having when I first meet them. Work is always very busy, and can be stressful, but helpful colleagues, beautiful countryside, and the chance to explore the fantastic history and heritage all help me to enjoy a really high quality of life.
Dr Larysa Samuels, 13/10/2008