But You're a Social Worker

Annamarie Cohen • Mar 18, 2024

Recently one of my best friends died.
I was lucky that I got to see him before he had a turn and only his family was by his side. Yes, I wanted to say goodbye but I respected his wishes and was grateful for that last encounter.

We don’t always get these moments.

I have learnt this as sadly, cancer being the insidious disease that it is, has taken away too many people far too early and I did not get that last chance to see them.
We get busy with life, they get busy with treatments and before we know it, the moment has gone.

Not everyone was as lucky as me and a few people were quite angry about this.
While I understand their anger, that is about them and something that they need to work through.

When I suggested this to someone, I was told, but you’re a social worker, you should understand.

Yes, I am a social worker but I am also human and at this point, I was someone grieving for their friend. 

I have a son who has not been engaging with school. 
I agree that there is more than one pathway and school may not be for him.
I have spoken to him about this but he insists that he wants to go to school but then has difficulty motivating himself to get there. 

I have sought help from all sorts of places but still we continue to struggle. 
When I raised this with my husband and initiated a conversation seeking solutions, his response was, you’re the social worker, you deal with these things, you should have the answers. 

Yes, I am a social worker but in this moment I am a struggling mother.

I have a wonderful husband who has always supported me in whatever I have wanted to do.
Since the time we were dating, he has been by my side encouraging me and helping me, even with some of my crazier ideas.
Like all relationships, whether they be friendships, family, business, defacto or marriage, there are times when it is not always smooth sailing.

We have had our share of differences and challenges and we have sought help from outside to recharge and reboot.
Why would you need to get help from someone else, you’re a social worker. Yes, I am a social worker but I am also a wife.

I am a social worker but I am also me, with my own foibles.
I too am a work in progress who is continuing to practice different ways of being and constantly growing, learning and developing.

You’re a social worker but you are also messy, how could you possibly help me?
Aha, but that is what makes me so good at what I do. 
When I am a social worker, I draw on my personal experiences to connect with you, I see you.
I connect on a human level and then using my skills, knowledge, expertise and research; share with you additional tools to help you on your journey.
I am guided by you and your expertise as we work together to resolve and tackle life’s challenges.

I can help your organisation as I am able to see the issues from various perspectives as a service user, worker, manager and funding body.
I am able to work with everyone to develop ways to meet practice standards and contract obligations without losing sight of the human element.

Yes, I am a social worker but I am also human and embrace my humanness and look forward to working, learning and growing with you. 

Annamarie C

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But You're a Social Worker

By Annamarie Cohen • 18 Mar, 2024
Recently one of my best friends died. I was lucky that I got to see him before he had a turn and only his family was by his side. Yes, I wanted to say goodbye but I respected his wishes and was grateful for that last encounter. We don’t always get these moments. I have learnt this as sadly, cancer being the insidious disease that it is, has taken away too many people far too early and I did not get that last chance to see them. We get busy with life, they get busy with treatments and before we know it, the moment has gone . Not everyone was as lucky as me and a few people were quite angry about this. While I understand their anger, that is about them and something that they need to work through. When I suggested this to someone, I was told, but you’re a social worker, you should understand. Yes, I am a social worker but I am also human and at this point, I was someone grieving for their friend. I have a son who has not been engaging with school. I agree that there is more than one pathway and school may not be for him. I have spoken to him about this but he insists that he wants to go to school but then has difficulty motivating himself to get there. I have sought help from all sorts of places but still we continue to struggle. When I raised this with my husband and initiated a conversation seeking solutions, his response was, you’re the social worker, you deal with these things, you should have the answers. Yes, I am a social worker but in this moment I am a struggling mother. I have a wonderful husband who has always supported me in whatever I have wanted to do. Since the time we were dating, he has been by my side encouraging me and helping me, even with some of my crazier ideas. Like all relationships, whether they be friendships, family, business, defacto or marriage, there are times when it is not always smooth sailing. We have had our share of differences and challenges and we have sought help from outside to recharge and reboot. Why would you need to get help from someone else, you’re a social worker . Yes, I am a social worker but I am also a wife . I am a social worker but I am also me, with my own foibles. I too am a work in progress who is continuing to practice different ways of being and constantly growing, learning and developing. You’re a social worker but you are also messy, how could you possibly help me? Aha, but that is what makes me so good at what I do. When I am a social worker, I draw on my personal experiences to connect with you , I see you. I connect on a human level and then using my skills, knowledge, expertise and research; share with you additional tools to help you on your journey. I am guided by you and your expertise as we work together to resolve and tackle life’s challenges. I can help your organisation as I am able to see the issues from various perspectives as a service user, worker, manager and funding body. I am able to work with everyone to develop ways to meet practice standards and contract obligations without losing sight of the human element. Yes, I am a social worker but I am also human and embrace my humanness and look forward to working, learning and growing with you. Annamarie C
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