Tips from a practitioner
Learning Objectives
Having read this Preparation for Practice article you should be better prepared for your first few weeks and months starting as a qualified Social Worker.
Beginning a career in Social Work can be an intimidating prospect. It’s easy to feel overwhelmed by the demands and expectations placed on you but, by being prepared and knowing where to find the right support, it can quickly become an immensely rewarding experience. In this article, Katie Tilley – a Senior Practitioner at London Borough of Camden – gives her tips for beginning practice as a Social Worker.
Reflective Questions
1. How do you feel your placements have helped prepare you for your first year as a qualified social worker?
2. Social work is an emotionally demanding profession; aside from seeking support from your colleagues, how else could you bolster your resilience?
3. There are lot of competing demands on a social worker’s time, how do you organise your priorities?
4. Do you have a sense of what direction you would like your career to take? How might you find out more to help decide?