It’s World Social Work Day, 18th March 2025, and social work teams in Western Sydney Local Health District (WSLHD) want to raise awareness and showcase the different services provided in various sectors around the district. Learn more with this Question & Answer below.
Q&A
1. Social work has been described as ‘Four Seasons in One Day’ – why do you think that is and why does that phrase resonate with you when it comes to social work?
A social workers day is never boring, there is no day, one client or social issue that is the same. Every day is very different and it requires a lot of flexibility because things are always changing . Just like the weather you never know what you are going to get. (Primrose Tunha, Social Worker, Mental Health Service, Banksia Cottage)
You never know what is going to happen. You could start the day off in Spring, nice and predictable and then a Winter storm comes in the form of a crisis or preparing for a possible crisis to come in. You must prepare and weather yourself for all possibilities. (Kate Burns, Child Protection Counsellor, WS Integrated Violence Prevention & Response Service (IVPRS) (pictured top)
Like the cyclical seasons of the year, we come to anticipate broader trends however this does not negate from the fact that there can also be drastic variances in a given day or a week. This too, applies to social work. Whilst we know this work is broadly full of roller-coasters, sometimes I can feel the wind, rain, sunshine, lightning all in one day. (Jessica Lau, Child Protection Counsellor, Blacktown Community Health, WS Integrated Violence Prevention & Response Service (IVPRS)
Promoting autonomy and self-determination are key principles of social work practice. Which means each day is unpredictable, but in turn, a good measure of upholding these principles. As a social worker you can check the forecast but must be prepared for any type of weather! (Eve Mawdsley, Social Worker, Stroke Outreach Service)
2. What areas of social work are looked after in WSLHD and what is your particular area?
Disability, aged care, child protection, drug and alcohol, child and family and many more. I personally work in the mental health field. (Primrose Tunha)
Working in IVPRS I feel very valued as a social worker, working in counselling families who have experienced trauma. There is so much opportunity to grow and expand myself as a social worker, which feels so important, as it is such as vast field, with so many possibilities. Working within individuals who have experienced trauma, you need to look after yourself, and I have definitely found that here since joining the team! (Kate Burns)
I am in the IVPRS team located at Blacktown Community Health. In my role as a Child Protection Counsellor, I provide counselling and support for vulnerable families in collaboration with other services.(Jessica Lau)
I currently work in RACS, with the Stroke Outreach Service (SOS). SOS is a home visiting rehab team providing community-based medium-term rehab for clients with stroke & other neurological conditions. (Eve Mawdsley)
3. Why did you get into the field of social work for your career and what do you find most rewarding about it?
I wanted to advocate for people who don’t have a voice and people who are vulnerable. As a mental health social worker, I love supporting people in their recovery journey. I find it rewarding to walk beside them, to alleviate some of the psychosocial pressures that exist, that may be impacting their mental health. It is rewarding to alleviate some of the impact social issues have for example housing issues or access to NDIS. (Primrose Tunha)
Trauma happens to almost everyone in one way or another, whether a single incident, complex or intergenerational, and at no fault to the individual themselves. Being able to support someone with healing and growing, walking alongside them is so rewarding and what drove me to get into the field. (Kate Burns)
My Christian faith was the catalyst to entering this kind of work as I wanted to do work that is meaningful and serves a community that is often stigmatised and overlooked. It is a great privilege to be able to witness people’s stories and walk alongside people in their hardships. And to be able to use hope as a guiding compass when working with families.(Jessica Lau)
When employed as disability support worker I watched one of my clients to bring about positive change with support of their social worker. I was so impressed by their relationship and practice approach. I find most rewarding in my role sharing with client’s resources and knowledge for empowerment and hope. (Eve Mawdsley)
4. What would you like to tell the public about social work that they might not know?
We are here to help but there are limitations to our role. We can’t solve everything especially instantly, but we do our best to fill in the gaps where we can. (Primrose Tunha)
Social workers want to work with and support individuals to grow and become their best versions, and where needed offer some protection from harm. (Kate Burns)
Despite having a core focus on justice, it is easy to forget that social work is not just one type of work, but that it comes in many different flavours! I would like to encourage anyone who is reading this, to get curious if you come across a social worker in the wild. Ask them what flavour they bring to the social work space. (Jessica Lau)
Illness and hospitalisation can be very challenging for patients and their loved ones in some or all areas of life, e.g. finances, relationships, practical needs, emotions, services, accommodation, adjustment. Having an early discussion with a social worker can help you prepare and make informed choices. (Eve Mawdsley)