My first year as a social worker was an
adjustment period. I was proud to have the position and felt good about the
families and children I served. It was
rewarding knowing that I was making a difference in the lives of children. I
also enjoyed giving their parents the resources and encouragement needed to
heal their families. I am not saying that I could make a difference in every
family I encountered. However, I felt that my job was still important and could
change the lives of many families.
There was still a lot to learn in this
position, and I remember a co-worker telling me that it takes at least 5 years
before you know the job thoroughly. I thought to myself, "Wow, I have a
long way to go."
I learned that having a supportive
supervisor and management team can make or break you in this position. My first
supervisor was a Training Supervisor whose staff consisted of newly hired
social workers. I learned a lot about my duties and what was expected. But I
also learned that this supervisor appeared to have his own agenda and set of
rules.
In one example, I worked with a family who
had successfully accomplished their goals to reunify with their children. Although
I provided my supervisor with proof of the family's progress and change, my
supervisor continued questioning their ability to parent their children. This
was my first experience of stress on the job. This family did everything
possible to change their situation to ensure that they could provide their
children with a safe and stable environment. However, my supervisor still
questioned their abilities and disapproved of their children being returned to
them. I discussed my frustration with some veteran social workers. I was told
that the supervisor is from "The old practice of social work." My
co-workers advised that supervisors were so scared to return children home and
reunification was not a priority in previous years. This was due to the large
crack epidemic. I was told that my
supervisor still holds that mentality. The supervisor feared the approval of
any children returning home to their families because the supervisor feels that
families cannot change. Another co-worker explained they experienced the same
thing from this supervisor. They stated that once I am moved out of the
training section, I would obtain much more relief working with another
supervisor.
The co-worker was correct because once I
was promoted from the training section, I got a supportive supervisor who
understood that families can change.
My new supervisor was incredibly
supportive and understanding. The supervisor demonstrated concern for the
families and wanted them to succeed. The supervisor offered support by
volunteering to go with workers out in the community to meet with families. The
supervisor listened to the family's needs and tried to connect them to
appropriate services and resources.
I witnessed this supervisor's ability to
adjust to any situation regarding each worker's demeanor and handle a matter
accordingly. The supervisor was flexible and change leadership styles as needed
to get the best out of the staff.
This supervisor made me feel proud to be a
social worker. I thought that I was making a difference in the lives of
children and their families. It also made me believe this was my purpose in
life.
