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In this issue:
Valuing Social Work is a two-day in person course for social work practitioners (social workers, senior practitioners, team managers) with at least two years in practice who are feeling disillusioned and disconnected to the profession and potentially facing a crossroads in terms of their career planning.
We have commissioned Sarah Redmond to deliver two cohorts of this training. The first will be delivered on 7 and 14 December in Coventry.
The second cohort will be delivered in Staffordshire on 18 and 21 March 2024.
Both courses will be all day sessions and delegates must attend both dates.
“I cannot overstate the impact of the refresh it gave my mindset during a time I really needed it. I can say the course had an extremely positive impact on me and my decision to continue with social work and find happiness within my role.” - Previous attendee of Valuing Social Work course.
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An article by Emma Cook for Community Care, Choose Social Work campaign.
Dear Future Social Worker,
I am so pleased that you have embarked on this journey, into this career. And let me tell you, I know it doesn’t always feel like it, but to be a social worker is a privilege.
Your day job will be to be human; to sit beside people in their most vulnerable, intimate moments, to celebrate their strengths and successes, to help them find the courage and abilities within themselves to change and grow, and to have an enduring belief in the possibility of change and human resilience. To witness it, day in, day out.
We all know it is not easy to be a human and it is certainly not easy to be a social worker. And guess what, you’re both of these things!
The landscape is always changing; sometimes the tides feel higher and harsher than ever before. But still, social workers venture into communities and they help people to sail across to a safer shore.
Let’s not forget the bonds you will make with colleagues, sharing the highs and the lows; but also, the compassion that you will harness, for the communities that you serve, but also for yourself.
Please remember to have compassion for yourself too. In this everchanging, fast-paced field, your mental health and wellbeing is a priority.
Social work, just like the human experience, is not linear. Some days will feel heavier than others and the responsibility can feel overwhelming.
But on other days, you’ll see what a difference you can make in helping someone to transform and shape their life, even in the smallest of ways. That is when you’ll have a glimpse of why you decided to become a social worker in the first place.
Yours,
Emma
The West Midlands Social Work Teaching Partnership has commissioned a number of CPD opportunities for members of the Teaching Partnership. We are asking for individuals to register for sessions and once the deadline has passed, you will be informed if the space has been successful.
We are aware that one of our partner organisations is unable to follow through to booking due to restraints of IT within their organisation allowing access to booking pages. We therefore recommend attempting to book from a personal device. If you are still unable to complete a booking, please email westmidlandsteachingpartnership@coventry.gov.uk
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In June 2020 The West Midlands Social Work Teaching Partnership encouraged and supported a number of employer partner organisations to develop a Community of Practice for Practice Educators where Practice Educators and those interested in Practice Education could regularly meet up to share best practice, discuss the role and create a supportive community to enable Practice Education to flourish in the region.
The Community of Practice in Birmingham has since grown from strength to strength and continues to run today under the hard work and dedication of Margaret Stratton, Specialist Practitioner ASYE Adult Social Care Directorate in Birmingham. The Community of Practice is open to Practice Educators from Birmingham adults and children’s services and independent Practice Educators in the Birmingham area.
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BASW (the British Association of Social Workers) has increasingly been working with experts by experience in developing and informing their work.
They are now recruiting for an Experts by Experience (EBE) Coordinator to take this involvement to the next level.
Apply by 10am on 10 November.
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Satvir Panesar is requesting your participation in a brief survey to support with her doctorate research project. Satvir's research will focus on how using a tool such as a genogram can allow social work practitioners to explore honour-based abuse. |
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