Change

Categories: uncategorized

Tags: drug treatment, social work, substance misuse, work

Date: 14 August 2008 20:05:49

Hmmm.... looks like things are going to change at work and I am not sure I like it. I am not stupid enough to think that change is a bad thing, but I am not convinced that the changes are in any way going to benefit me. In fact I think I am going to be a great deal worse off.

When I made the decision to train as a social worker it was because I wanted to make a difference. Cheesy as it may sound I believed that I could impact and influence people one-by-one. I still believe that, and yet it would seem that my ability to actually have time with people that could make a difference is going to be significantly limited.

My manager left at the end of June and as yet a new one has not been appointed. At the moment we have a 'caretaker' manager who has come in and is about to making sweeping changes, based largely I believe on the current team he is managing. (The other thing that really irritates me is that I like this caretaker manager - he seems like a genuinely nice guy and has dealt with me losing the plot quite effectively!) Instead of being able to spend more time with my clients, I am going to have to spend even more time doing admin work, mainly printing prescriptions for my caseload. I am already getting into the office at 7.30am just to try and get through the admin I have to do already. Other similar teams in the county don't even employ people with professional backgrounds, such as nurses or social workers anymore. Instead they are all generic posts, and this is exactly what they are trying to do with our team.

The fact that I spent 2 very tough years completing my Masters in Social Work is completely irrelevant. If I can print scripts and test piss for drugs then I am employable. I am gutted the value I place on my professional background is not really being taken into consideration. I feel that clients will miss out if all we have is generic workers and other professionals will not have the experience and variety of professionals to refer to and consult.

Maybe it is time to move on. Or, maybe I just need some time out to travel, rest, recuperate and regain my passion for the work that I feel God has called me to, whatever form it may take.