Saturday, December 1, 2012

More Hodge Podge

How to change perceptions of social work in the media
More proactive involvement with the media would be a bumpy ride – but would lead to more human depictions of social workers

The Guardian, Social Care Network, Nov. 30, 2012.

Social workers have long had a troubled relationship with the media. The profession often feels that criticisms of social work are only periodically punctuated with a balanced story, let alone a positive one.

It's like being invited to a party but only briefly being allowed to engage in meaningful conversation, in a darkened corner, before being publicly waterboarded in the middle of the room.

So it is understandable that many social workers simply do not want to go to the media party.

Social work has never been an easy thing to describe. Most people would readily be able to find a reasonably accurate portrayal of a teacher or nurse or police officer. However, when it comes to social work, it's more difficult.

Social work remains something that happens, in the most part, away from the public gaze. It has been easy to fill this void with at best misunderstanding and at worst dishonest portrayals. Those with an axe to grind or a point to prove have been given the open goal and far too often social workers, their agencies and organisations have not even been on the pitch.

Participation with the media is often blocked by reasons such as confidentiality or legal proceedings. These are perfectly reasonable justifications for not engaging openly with the media but they only add to the sense of a closed, secretive and potentially untrustworthy area of work.

It seems more recently that there has been a positive change, perhaps less from corporate social work, but instead from individual professionals who have found a voice through new and social media. This human and real face of social work has slowly started a process of demystification and education but, at present, only to a limited audience.

This proactive, personal and honest view of the profession is one that would help to open up real social work to society and one that could be embraced by social work organisations and agencies.

The phrase "people fear what they do not understand" seems appropriate . Apparently this comes from a latin proverb "damnant quod non intelligunt", which literally translates as, "they condemn what they do not understand".

It is up to social work to increase that level of understanding – and a certain amount of bravery will be needed to do this. We need to present a view of social work that is confident, and, most importantly, able to fight its corner.

The opening up about the work done, including the mistakes made, will humanise social work. In doing this, our time at the media party is likely to be less torturous, enabling us to move into the light and engage in meaningful media conversations.

If you would like to blog for the social care network about issues affecting your professional life and career, then you can get in touch by emailing us.

********************************
UBC Continuing Studies invites you to participate in a brief online survey regarding your professional development needs. 

We are planning new courses and programs in the counselling, health care and helping professions. Our intention is to complement existing professional development with practical and interprofessional courses leading to a UBC Certificate. We value your input so that we can ensure our programming meets your needs and supports your practice. 

The survey takes approximately 10 minutes to complete and is available here: http://www.surveyfeedback.ca/surveys/wsb.dll/s/1g1f68

Our apologies if you have received this message more than once! 

Please complete the survey by Dec 17, 2012 to be entered in a draw for a $100 gift of learning towards a course with UBC Continuing Studies. The winner will be contacted by phone on December 19, 2012.

Many thanks for your input,

Sally Halliday, Managing Director – Counselling and Program Development , UBC Continuing Studies Life and Career Programs

Deena Boeck, Associate Director, UBC Continuing Studies Life and Career Programs

PS. Spaces still available in:

Working Intentionally with Hope in Counselling
Fri, Nov 30, 9am-4pm; UBC Robson Square
Instructor: Denise Larsen, PhD, RPsych

No comments:

Post a Comment