Service User Perspectives: What qualities should a social worker have?

Learning Objectives

After considering this resource, you should be more aware of the qualities you are expected to demonstrate as a social worker.

Both as a student and beyond once you have qualified, the service users you work with will have expectations of what a social worker should be like. What are these though?

In the following video, a group of service users offer their personal expectations of the qualities and attributes a social worker should possess and demonstrate in the role.

Download: Video transcript

Reflective Questions

  1. What qualities and attributes do you think social workers should have?
  2. Of these identified qualities and attributes, which do you think you can demonstrate confidently? Which do you think you need to improve on? How might you do this?
  3. How do you feel the qualities and attributes mentioned in the video reinforce the professional value base?
Expert opinions