My debut novel,
Known to Social Services, continues to provoke comment and discussion, the vast
majority of which, I am pleased to say, is positive. I am particularly happy
about this, as one of the motivators for writing the book was to raise the
profile of social workers and allow the general public a glimpse into the day-to-day
life of a social worker. Many readers
have told me that they had “no idea” what social workers really did until they
read Known to Social Services.
Often stereotyped and negatively
portrayed, especially in the media; most people’s idea of a social worker is a
female in a flowing kaftan, dangly earrings and sandals who is doling out tea
and sympathy in a totally ineffective manner. Alternatively, we are seen as spiky
haired, judgemental busybodies who have no people skills, but who simply breeze
in and out of people’s lives, snatching children away from their parents as
they go. Male social workers are
outnumbered by their female counterparts, but do not escape; they are seen as
tweed wearing individuals with leather elbow patches, who might even smoke a
pipe. They are foggy in their thinking and faltering and hesitant when it comes
to taking action.
I am extremely satisfied to learn that
Known to Social Services, has in some small way, set the record straight in
this regard. Some readers, who have been literally wide eyed with incredulity
on having finished the book have told me that they “take their hats off to
social workers if this is what it’s really like”, and it is …… ask any social
worker.
On a more serious note, I was
approached at a book signing by a worried student of social work who had read
the book. She asked me, “Is it really like this?” I had to be honest and tell
her that while I had brought together many “worst case scenarios”, the job of
child protection, was in fact, pretty much like the book. She thought for a
moment before telling me, “Then I think I’m going into the wrong job”. Far from
being horrified to think that Known to
Social Services had ruined this poor young woman’s career choice, I was of
the view that it was better to find out early in her training, rather than
embarking on a job, which she herself did not feel able to do. Many newly
qualified social workers, me included, have found themselves totally unprepared
for the reality of the job. I firmly believe, that alongside all the theory
books and the practical placements, there is great value in works of fact-based
fiction such as Known to Social Services.
I am aware that Known to Social Services has been, or is going to be, read in
several social work book groups. This is a great honour, and I hope that
students and qualified social workers alike can benefit from the experiences,
which are told in narrative in the book.
A recent article by the Northern Ireland
Social Care Council endorsed the use of social work book groups. The full
article can be found by following the link below.
http://www.niscc.info/index.php/news/8-news/294-social-work-book-groups-are-useful-learning-tool-for-social-workers
My advice to the young woman’s dilemma was
to advise her that there are many roles within social work, not all of which
require you to work on the front line of child protection, though some
experience in this field is essential. I urged her to consider all her options
before making any drastic decisions, but felt once again, that the book had
enlightened someone as to the reality of the job.
In the book, the central character is
social worker, Diane Foster, who is hardworking, dedicated, and completely
focused on her role as a voice for the children she supports and represents. One
of the young people Diane is striving to help is 15-year-old Jessica Jackson. Readers
have asked me if Jessica was “real”. While Known
to Social Services is based on my personal experiences as a social worker,
it is of course fictionalised with all identities protected. Jessica’s character is a blend of several
cases I worked, which involved emotionally confused teenage girls. Sad to say,
many such cases do not have good outcomes. However, I would like to close this
blog by telling you about one case, which did have a positive end result.
One young woman I worked with was like
Jessica Jackson, in that she had moved around the care system for several
years, and at 15 years of age, had become embroiled with the wrong crowd. Like
Jessica in the story, I felt that this young woman, who I shall call Karen,
needed a secure placement for her own safety and welfare. Karen was using class
A drugs and was known to be working as a prostitute to support her habit. She
constantly ran away from foster placements, which prompted the Local Authority
placed her “out of county” – miles from the bad influences and her unhelpful
family, in the hope that a fresh start may help. It didn’t. Karen continued to
spiral downward, until the Local Authority was left with no choice but to apply
for a secure order. I had campaigned for a secure placement for many weeks, but
the courts quite rightly require a great deal of evidence to convince them,
that depriving a young person of their liberty is in their best interest.
I presented Karen’s case to a panel,
and was asked where she was at that precise moment. I knew that she was once
again on the run, and likely to come to further harm if action was not taken.
The order was agreed in principal, and when it was presented in court, the
judge was of the same view. The problem then, was finding Karen who had once
again, made herself scarce.
The police were involved, and to cut a
long story short, she was finally “caught” after a chase through a local
supermarket. At the police station, Karen was highly agitated, and violent. She
threw anything she could lay her hands on at me, including her dinner, and
screamed abuse for what seemed like forever. However, we had her safe, and
transported her to the secure unit where she would remain for 3 months. It was
her last hope of making some sense of her sadly messed up life. I visited Karen
regularly; at first, she refused to speak to me, but slowly, she and I began to
build a relationship. It was a fragile thing at first, but gradually, she came
to trust me and understood I was actually on her side, though it didn’t seem
that way in the beginning. I did a lot of direct play therapy with Karen and
was delighted to see positive changes in her. She was in a drug rehabilitation
group, where she became the star member. She put on much needed weight and
engaged in groups with other girls, designed to build up her shattered self-esteem.
Karen was rehabilitated into the
community 3 months later and managed to stay in a loving stable foster home.
Her case was passed to the long term care team and that was the end of my
involvement with Karen …… or so I thought.
Three years later, I arrived at work to
find a letter on my desk; it was from Karen. She wrote to say that she was now
18 years old. She had a steady boyfriend and a job. She was expecting her first
baby later that year. Karen wrote to say that she had hated me with a passion.
She hated all social workers, but after being in the unit for those 3 months,
she realised that I was on her side and was trying to help. She was writing to
say thank you. The spelling was poor, the writing wonky and the grammar
appalling, but I have never had a sweeter letter in my life.
Social work; it has its highs and its
lows and if I’m honest the lows often seem to outweigh the highs, but when you
get a “Karen” – it makes it all worthwhile and you go out and do it all again,
always hoping that the next child is another Karen.
Freya
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