How can a Social worker really make a difference?

Social work practitioners "need' to reflect the communities from which they are engaging in."

Series 1: Melvin Apulu Jnr

At times social workers do not realise the power they hold. At any given time they have the ability to help the most vulnerable people in our society, however, and unfortunately, looking at past experiences there abilities have also brought about the most harm.

Experiences from within the field of social work as a social work practitioner have allowed me to write this blog, it has stirred up a passion for positive community change with a difference. As this difference begins from the very practitioners that engage with our most vulnerable on a daily basis. This blog therefore is written to continually build best practice for not only myself but for all social work practitioners.

In order for our most vulnerable people in our communities to be assisted and supported by social work practitioners to achieve social and economic well being, key aspects must be discussed. I have highlighted one aspect to add to the general social work discussion for best practice.

It is no longer a challenge that cannot be ignored. It is now more prevalent than ever before, that social work practitioners "need' to reflect the communities from which they are engaging in." Especially in ethnicity, age, gender, and personal experience. No longer can we have social work practitioners who have no knowledge of the community including history, struggle, or families within the community engaging or working in them. This causes more harm than good.

There is a reason why most vulnerable communities don't have a sustained/conducive/extensive relationship with 'random' practitioners it is simply because they are 'random', and again cause more harm then anticipated. Continually making assumptions and allowing pre-concieved ideas to infect the way they engage with these vulnerable communities. Purely based from a file or verbal referral by a colleague. Again, briefly highlighting some minor aspects of social work practice that need to be revisited.

"Melvin the number one rule in social work, is to never assume" quoted by an elderly social work practitioner in my community. A constant sentence replaying itself in my head and heart whenever i'm establishing a new relationship with a youth group or family.

Don't get me wrong, i'm not writing, if you're not from the community you are working in then don't. I'm writing that if you are unable to comprehend the experience or struggle that a particular family is going through in that community, you will find it extremely difficult to engage with them.

Yes there are multiple ways or lenses in which you can debate this statement, however bare my statement in mind for future reference. Provide comments below to allow for further discussion.