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trekster

What is a social worker? What makes a good social worker?

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Hello all

 

i mentioned today in my disappointing social worker meeting that i 'didnt even know what a social worker is'. Has anyone got the dummies definition for a Community Care Social worker please?

 

At the moment ive got the "yes i will see if we can do x and y" but im nervous about him making phone calls abotu me when im not there.

 

Also was wondering what makes a good social worker?

 

A bit of background reading on the case and literature the client recommends would be my 1st point.

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I'm going to be annoying and cop out with a link :oops: if you skip down the page there's a subheading about usual tasks involved.

 

http://www.prospects...description.htm

 

If you are having difficulty talking to your CCSW - if communication is difficult and reports don't work - is there any way you would write in a more colloquial way? As reports can intimidate a lot of people and they can seem impersonal - by this I mean can you essentially bottle feed the information to this person instead of throwing it all at once?

 

Sometimes I have had to pick 2 or 3 really important things (even if they are all important - it's sometimes better to prioritise) and then there's a chance you could get somewhere. Sometimes deadly slow progress is better than none at all :)

 

Regards

 

Darkshine

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Thanks for the link :-)

 

He basically asked for the number of my housing officer then decided he was going to ask the housing

officer a question to which i had already answered. This sent my CPTSD into overdrive because i felt

he didnt beleive me. Then he controlled me by threatening to take his 'support' away after i'd been waiting

10 months (do it my way or not at all type approach).

 

he has just met me and we had a phone conversation in which i was thrown negative labels

at. he even falsely said 'nice to meet you as he left' i told him 'i dont beleive that' and 'you really need to

think about whether you really want to help me, those reports i mentioned explained my needs'.

 

i thanked him for when he did something right in the meeting then when he tried to end it after 1 hour

i panicked and was unable to get my lunch "dont have time to get my lunch".

 

i was so distressed i was rocking, avoiding eye contact (due to pressure and fear) and severely stuttering

during the meeting. i think this was also my way of expressing pain and needing to have lunch (both of

which i had forgotten to do). Ironically i need and dont need to have extra people in the room at the same time.

Extra people in the room help me when i misunderstand stuff but they are also another pair of eyes staring

at me.

Edited by trekster

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Ok, this is a familiar experience to me, not in exactly the same way as I have different types of these "professional" people to deal with - but it seems to me that they all pretty much operate in similar ways

 

Let's see if we can look at this in a balanced way - I say balanced because your experience, your thoughts, feelings, worries, fears and anxieties are all real.

 

But at the same time these people have their little hoops they like to jump through so maybe we can place some of it in that context too. :)

 

He basically asked for the number of my housing officer then decided he was going to ask the housing

officer a question to which i had already answered. This sent my CPTSD into overdrive because i felt

he didnt beleive me. Then he controlled me by threatening to take his 'support' away after i'd been waiting

10 months (do it my way or not at all type approach).

 

This is an annoying factor of people in these kinds of services. It might feel like he's checking up on you, not believing you, or ignoring your answers. I'm assuming that he has to have this question answered by your housing officer for other reasons, maybe he needs it to be an official answer - even if that is exactly the same as the answer you gave.

 

As much as it is so ###### annoying - I would try to let him get on with this one - my care coordinator does it to me and I just find it is easier to let him ring people and double check me...

 

As for his threat - I wish I could be shocked - but this hard line approach seems to be fairly common - what they should realise is the effects that this type of threat can have on people. I could sit here and swear about this for some time because I've experienced it first hand.

 

I think regarding the phone call it is something you could potentially let him "do his way" - there will be other things that are like that too - I'd say pick your battles wisely - and this phone call element is part of his job, these people like to gather information and speak to people - so even though it's annoying and almost disrespectful - it isn't a massive thing to give way on. (even if it seems pointless to you or frustrating, annoying etc), it is one thing that I feel will crop up again when he wants to call or speak to other people.

 

I hate it myself, I really do, but it seems to be part of these scenarios.... :rolleyes:

 

he has just met me and we had a phone conversation in which i was thrown negative labels

at. he even falsely said 'nice to meet you as he left' i told him 'i dont beleive that' and 'you really need to

think about whether you really want to help me, those reports i mentioned explained my needs'.

 

It can take some time to work out how to talk with these people and navigate these types of systems... you've only just met and you both need to work out how this will work.

 

I know it feels false to you that he said that - but it's just what they do - it's like if you ring most offices or chain of shops or whatever, they have a whole procedure just on answering the phone... And it's no different for social workers or care-coordinators or psychiatrists or whatever...

 

I am convinced that a lot of the time these people do not mean the niceties - but it's nothing really really bad - it isn't a cardinal sin. And I see it makes you angry that he hasn't read your reports, but part of this is where AS becomes a feature. You spent time organising these reports, I am pretty damn sure that they will be accurate, detailed and comprehensive pieces of work that will explain everything in a certain way.

 

So when he just disregards that, it has to be really annoying for you (to say the least). So when I say hey trekster, why don't you compromise the quality, I know that is hard because I've had to do it, but sometimes these people just cannot handle things in the same formats as we can.

 

Conversely you read that thread by someone who went and saw their GP and presented that GP with a load of detailed info and that GP was impressed - not every professional works that way (unfortunately). Some really need things simplifying and dumbing down.

 

You don't have to say anything about this - just think about it - think about your reports and see if there are ways they could be made more accessible to this guy - cuz at the end of the day you need him to understand in order to get what you want and what you need :)

 

i thanked him for when he did something right in the meeting then when he tried to end it after 1 hour

i panicked and was unable to get my lunch "dont have time to get my lunch".

 

1 hour seems to be the standard for most of these people, the good thing about this is you can now plan for it.

 

It's hard when you haven't had time to say everything - and it's also hard when the time length can use a lot of energy to continue talking with someone too - but the good points here are:

 

1. You have met the guy

2. You have some idea about how he works (time, reports, phone calls)

3. You know the time limits you have to work with

 

This can all help you to try to work out how to work with him - it will be difficult as you will have to meet him in the middle on some things, and not on others - it depends on the battles and which ones are really vital to your well-being and your quality of life.

 

i was so distressed i was rocking, avoiding eye contact (due to pressure and fear) and severely stuttering

during the meeting. i think this was also my way of expressing pain and needing to have lunch (both of

which i had forgotten to do). Ironically i need and dont need to have extra people in the room at the same time.

Extra people in the room help me when i misunderstand stuff but they are also another pair of eyes staring

at me.

 

This was a lot to deal with, and the 3 points I listed can help you know what to expect for next time, it might feel like you have achieved very little so far, but it's a start and you have brought away some details about him and the way this is all working, which could help - cuz knowing what to expect is part of things.

 

It isn't surprising you reacted this way - it was a lot to deal with, you were in pain, needed food, and found it difficult to communicate with the guy (especially if he refused to read the reports) plus it's not easy handing over a degree of control to someone who you are not sure you trust.

 

Your comments about having extra people in the room are very familiar to me - I too need extra people in the room, but extra people can make it harder, and yes, more people looking at me adds a whole new element to things 9with extra eyes)...

 

Have you got anyone who you can take with you? Not necessarily to get involved - but just to be by your side (I've found if a friend or something is sitting beside me I can look at them if I choose, but they are in a position where I know they are there but by my side they aren't in my eye-line or facing me - which feels like staring). It can be useful sometimes, but if you do have anyone to take with you, they would be in a better position if they are up to speed with your personal situation, and what you need. It can be useful for having a second opinion on the meetings afterwards, and for helping you plan how to go about things, also if you do panic they could step in for you - but it'd have to be someone you trust.

 

I don't know if any of this will help - but I hope it offers a different way of seeing it and possible ways to deal with this :)

 

Did this social worker set up another appointment with you? And if so how long have you got to plan for the next stage of this?

 

Best wishes

 

Darkshine

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Are you under the Vulnerable adults team?

 

i have attempted to go under the Vulnerable adults team but got the 'your IQ doesn't fit learningdisabilities' thrown back at me. i have an idea of how to try that one again.

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He hasn't even rung me back like he said he would. he has actioned what he said he would do but i feel like hes doing the

bare minimum and not much extra. i am so fed up im going to start again with a female and i should have been allocated

a female social worker in the 1st place because that is what I kept chasing up "any news on my female support worker

please?"

 

It has been 1 nightmare after another this year in particular. I was a few weeks ago asked to ring a social worker

ON HER DAY OFF! So you can understand my reluctance to trust them I hope.

 

If he isn't prepared to read the reports (he did take away the copy of the booklet but it was my only underlined copy)

and action them then there is no point in working with him. They are reports which clearly outline what autistic needs

are in general with the booklet being mine underlined.

 

My previous social worker stayed longer when she saw me. I dropped her because of the medical model type approach

and that she kept saying to me 'you have a support package that is what we pay (my care agency) for'.

 

I was asked really open questions, when I objected 'that's a really open question' (my response) twice he then interviewed

my support worker instead. I really dont understand why they keep insisting on speaking to a person who is there to support

me instead of 'speak for me'. i tried to indicate how upsetting this way by speaking to his chaperone colleague instead of him

and talking about him as though he wasn't there.

 

This has been happening for about 7 years now speaking to my support instead of me! Then it

is called person centred planning when the questions aren't even worded in a way i can understand.

 

i did say 'i have no idea what a social worker is' which was a hint (any understanding NT should know that) for them to offer

an explanation 'in this setting i am here to see what further help i can provide for you' eg.

 

i felt like i was just rushed through an 'assessment' without him trying to get to know how i tick and what can help me.

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Obviously your a really intelligent person trekster and have clear goals on what you expect from your social worker so maybe they feel uncomfortable with that because they're normally used to people more quite and subdued?

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You are entitled to ask for a new social worker - but I'm not sure how much you are going to get out of these people... I've had a similar thing with the mental health system and it's such hard work... and requesting a new person doesn't always get a good reaction...

 

 

And communicating with them is a battle on it's own...

 

 

I have had a lot of trouble understanding what these types of people mean when they say things, and when they ask questions I don't always know what they want to know...

 

 

The first thing to decide is whether you are up to going through all this (because of limited options and the fact you need help you probably will have to continue this battle in some way) or whether you can get advice on trying another route (I haven't got a clue because I don't know your case history or your exact needs or the details of your situation and any people involved) but is there anyone you know who can help with this?

 

 

Some counties have advocacy services for example that sometimes offer advice and support in navigating stupid systems.

 

 

A lot of this depends on exactly what you want, what you need, and what will make your life better - and those things need to be really precise - I struggled with this myself but it can be done - even if it turns into a massive list :)

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social work is considered difficult so they have many rule in order to keep it on a "professional" level. One of those rules is the 50 minutes + 10 minutes (=1 hour) rule. Another one is that you'll get some "homework", that is tasks which you should complete until the next meeting.

Complaining usually doesn't help - grievances should be adressed directly.

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thanks for your responses folks. i attempted to make an official complaint via a council worker (because the email wouldnt go directly through) and it got back via the vulnerable adults team to the department i was trying to complain about. i avoided naming the department directly but as my council worker is in my home town they got wind of the situation.

 

i got the fobbing off blanket response of 'we are taking your concerns seriously' then waited a month for the wrong type of social worker to turn up. i was on the emergency social worker waiting list from oct until july and feel this is unacceptable.

 

i need a social worker that will obide by the guidance set out in the autism act and other guides. i will underline reports that are generic about autism will sections pertaining to me. im unable to explain any problems im having within an hour as im multiple disabilities. im fast heading for a breakdown and need someone that will email me once a week saying 'please tell me your problems and i will offer any help i can'. the expression 'have you tried...?' tends to be the least invasive.

 

ideally someone who knows about autism, cptsd and pain issues and is willing to accept my reasons for doing certain things ie someone that beleves me also someone that explains their reasons when im becoming resistant as that can enable me to accept what their doing. when someone digs deeper they can often find a logical reason as to why i have or havent done something. also someone who avoids introducing themselves when i have just rung them upset. i know who they are i have just rang them saying 'why havent you come to see me?'

 

i might ask around regarding what makes a decent social worker in my social circle.

 

im finding the open questions and blanket 'i do this the same for everybody' statements really unhelpful. also the talking about me as though im not there 'does she take sugar?' attitude overloading it is as though they are daring me to overload then picking on me when i do.

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