Recognising our social workers and how they support others to live well

One of the best parts of my role as Cabinet Member for Adult Care, is getting to meet and speak with some of the amazing Social Care staff we have in Suffolk. This week is Social Work Week, where we recognise our fantastic Social Work teams and the life changing work they do. To celebrate I have decided to take this opportunity to invite Amanda Takavarasha, our Principal Social Worker here in Suffolk, to tell us why this week is important to her, and her colleagues.

"I'm Amanda and I am the Principal Social Worker for Adult Social Care here at Suffolk County Council. This year, the theme of World Social Work Day ‘Buen Vivir’ is one that is close to my heart. Buen vivir, which directly translated from Spanish means “living well” or “good life”, is based on the principle that true wellbeing is realised as part of a community.

Social Work is a global profession and while our work is underpinned by national policies and legislation, we sometimes forget that the work itself is rooted in a globally shared ambition: To help people to live well. The theme this year goes further and reinforces the importance of community-led approaches to Social Work. This approach recognises that people themselves, along with their families, and communities all hold the valuable local wisdom and knowledge about what is important to them, and how that contributes to what they need to achieve to live a good life. These community-led approaches are based on basic principles of Social Work practice including the promotion of personal relationships and upholding human rights in inclusive and respectful ways which encourage and build upon a person's own strengths and abilities.

Social Workers champion the reality that people are experts of their own lived experience, and this chimes with Suffolk County Council’s Adult Social Care ambition called ‘People at the heart of Care’ which sets out how we work with people to live fulfilling and independent lives. We do this by striving to put independence, quality, sustainability and most importantly people’s voices at the heart of all we do. Our Social Workers are trained to listen to people’s expert understanding of their own circumstances and goals and to maximise every opportunity for people to shape plans for their own support where this is needed.

As Principal Social Worker, I have the privilege of meeting or speaking to people with great stories to tell about the impact that our Social Workers have made on their lives or those of their loved ones. I have spoken to a family carer who described how the digital care solution suggested by her son’s Social Worker had been a ‘game changer’ in enabling him to live independently. Similarly, two young men I recently met shared how their care and support enabled them to “live a normal life” and more importantly, is flexible enough to encourage private family arrangements that work harmoniously alongside their formal care provision.

I was also energised by a recent visit to a local charity called Genesis Orwell in Ipswich, which provides a range of activities for people of all abilities, including carpentry, art, gardening, cookery and repairing second hand bicycles for sale. Another important principle of ‘Buen Vivir’ is our coexistence with nature, and this came to my mind on my visit to Genesis Orwell. I spent time exploring their service and witnessing how this principle was evident in each activity they provide, as well as in their nature themed décor within the sensory rooms and the materials used to construct their buildings. It was a delight to see happy, fulfilled people living a good life supported by this innovative organisation which our Social Workers can support them to access.

I love being a Social Worker, it is so rewarding to be in a position to help people to live a good life. Social Work isn't always easy, but it is always varied - with every day bringing new challenges, lighter moments of laughter and joy, and opportunities to learn new skills. Social Work is a key part of our society, and I am honoured to be a part of that."

I want to thank Amanda for agreeing to share her thoughts for Social Work Week, I also want to thank her, and all the Social Workers, Occupational Therapists, Care Workers, Carers and others for all the work they do every day to support people to live good, independent lives in Suffolk.

For more information on becoming a social worker, visit www.suffolk.gov.uk/socialwork.