Making sure vulnerable adults ‘don’t fall through the cracks’

Local social workers shared some of the work they do to mark World Social Work Day earlier this week and give islanders a better awareness of how they help.

While television dramas and media often focus on social workers helping children, there are around 30 social workers working with adults in Guernsey. That includes community care social workers, family services and those helping people admitted to hospital, as well as working with people with dementia or learning disabilities.

Charlotte Carr – who is on the community social work team – is one of them. She originally worked in London, but has now spent 10 years in Guernsey and said she enjoyed the local focus on meeting people face to face.

‘I do think we get a negative press,’ she said.

‘Often it is not helped by child cases. In EastEnders, the social workers are either woolly or negative.’

She said that gave a skewed image.

‘I’m lucky to work with a group of people who work extremely hard and long hours. It’s our job to protect those most vulnerable and we are so proud of what we do.’

Mash, the multi-agency safeguarding hub, is one of the latest initiatives to help ensure people who need help can get it.

It was set up six weeks ago and allows personnel from different agencies such as doctors, the police, nurses and social workers to meet every Tuesday to discuss people needing help.

So if a police officer is concerned about someone, they can let other agencies know.

‘It stops people slipping through the cracks,’ said Mrs Carr.

‘It helps people to join the dots to protect people.’

While World Social Work Day is held every year on 20 March, this was the first time the local team had really promoted it.

Mrs Carr said she had once got into a taxi only to be told to get out again when the taxi driver found out her profession.

‘Social work is not something you go into for an easy life,’ she said.

‘It’s hard going and we don’t usually get thanked. But we want to tell people about what we do and show the positive side.’

Pascal Ferbrache is a support worker with the community social work team, but has enjoyed his last three years in the post so much he is now going to train to be a social worker.

‘I like social work values and I’m interested in supporting people with complex needs and vulnerable people, and emphasising with those who are going through difficult times.’