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.
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.
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