World Social Work Day

Social workers aim to help improve people’s lives, particularly those who are vulnerable or need protection from harm.

World Social Work Day (Tuesday 21 March) highlights the work of social services, and importance of social justice and human rights.

This year’s theme is Respecting Diversity Through Joint Social Action.

Justine Massey has been a social worker in community mental health for 24 years and has given an insight into her work to mark World Social Work Day.

She is one of our consultant social workers and is a practice educator supporting the Think Ahead Social Work training programme for mental health social workers.

 “Mental health social workers build relationships with people and support them through care, talking therapies, community action, and standing up for their legal rights.

“We support with developing clinical interventions, including counselling, working with families, and helping people make new social connections.

“We also work closely with partner organisations to support people who need our help.  I am a strong advocate of team work and the multi-disciplinary approach that integrated working provides, which is essential in giving people holistic care.

“The thing I most enjoy about this role is relationship building with the diverse people who use our services, members of the community mental health teams, outside agencies, and last but not least the students who are starting their journeys into social work.

“I am proud of the achievements and career progression of many of our successful social work graduates that have come through the Think Ahead programme.

“They have moved on to our specialist teams including Family Group Conferencing, Perinatal Mental Health, Home First, First Episode in Psychosis, community forensic team, and community mental health, and I hope that I played a small part in developing their social work journeys.”

Find out more about working at Essex Partnership University NHS Foundation Trust on the Vacancies page and go to the Think Ahead website for more information on the training programme.