CASE STUDY :
Client A entered treatment for alcohol support and was with a worker in the alcohol team . Once the family recovery element was fully established client A was offered the option to move to a family recovery coordinator ( RC ).
A trauma-informed approach was implemented , and the RC quickly began unpicking client A ’ s lived experiences . Client A began talking about her family dynamics and what life was like for her child . The RC sought support from myself , and it transpired there was an element of domestic abuse in the family home .
Together we developed a robust plan and worked alongside client A , children ’ s services , the police , and the domestic abuse service to ensure information was shared effectively and the risks to client A or her child were not exacerbated .
My role within this was to provide the RC and team leader with advice and direction as well as provide a space for reflection and empowered decision making .
WHO AM I NOW ?
Laughter , love , warmth and smiles new-born in your arms , in the photograph piles . I flick through them all with pain in my soul , I was small just crawling and starting to roll .
In a frame we look so calm and content behind the camera lens our lives were hell bent . You missed my first steps , my first day at school You were so wrapped up in a narcotics pool .
My sister tells tales of darkness and despair . Despite it all , she was always there . she loved me so dearly ; she made sure I ate because you would always get out of bed late .
You lived in a state of pure delirium You left me alone ; you abandoned your son . My sister , my friend , my one spec of hope My protector , when you fell down a slippery slope .
All I ’ ve seen is you take back the drugs , I ’ m lacking the love , the kisses , the hugs . Such a young boy , so fresh and naive , Scared to turn my back in fear that you ’ ll leave . and supporting practitioners to reach their potential . I enjoy being part of complex decision making and helping to bring about social justice and advocacy for service users . I feel fulfilled knowing my practice has inspired change , prevention , and contributed towards families feeling empowered .
As a social worker I am naturally curious and a bit of an information gatherer which allows me to understand context and build a picture to make safe and balanced decisions . I am confident with professional challenges , and I carry restorative approaches which are embedded within the family project . As I lead with these practices , I can see a shared confidence growing and as a result I am hearing feedback from services users and professionals that reflects collaboration and trust in the service . ‘ The social worker really listened to me and took the time to understand me .’ In another instance a young person shared , ‘ My dad told me he loved me last week for the first time , I think that ’ s because of M-PACT .’
I am extremely proud of the social workers I supervise , who continue to advocate , challenge , and deliver best practices . They work alongside me each day , striving for a gold standard service user journey .
I hope to continue developing the family offer in Kirklees and build on the collaborative approach with the young people ’ s service to inspire change for future generations .
WHO AM I NOW ? I appreciate the poem may bring about different feelings , whether you reflect on a personal experience or someone you are supporting within your current role . The reason I decided to share this was to remind us all how important it is to recognise children within our interventions . You may not directly work with the child , but your role will have an impact .
By embedding whole-family working we can contribute towards keeping these children safe and allowing families to move through trauma , stay together and have better outcomes .
I stand here today , a full circle moment . I look forward to working alongside you all to make positive changes to practice and improve outcomes for the families in Kirklees .
Rebecca Pettifor is senior social worker / family project manager at Change Grow Live
I want you to care so sometimes I cry , Instead of wiping my tears , you hit and chastise . You shout and say ‘ they ’ re coming for us ’ ‘ No mum ’ I cry , ‘ stop taking the drugs ’
That dark turn for you , means a dark turn for me Stuck in this world makes it hard for me to breathe , Hiding the bruises so no one will know , I ’ m scared for you mum ; I don ’ t want you to go .
At school I try hard to carry on learning , Unable to focus beyond the love I am yearning . I walk out of that place , as that ’ s what you ’ ve taught me , To give up at the first sign of struggle and be free .
You tell me to puff , to a faraway place , I reluctantly suck back ; my eyes start to glaze . Cannabis becomes some sort of release , But soon leads to trouble with the local police .
I ’ m hungry , I ’ m tired , I need care , not neglect , I ’ m angry at you but you shout for respect . The house is cold , and the cupboards are bare They laugh at me at school , they taunt , and they stare .
My shoes are scuffed , my trousers too short , Spending money on drugs , to you , is a sport . I have nothing to call my own all that I have is this shell of a home .
They came as a pair , with blouses and skirts ‘ How do you feel ? Are you scared ? Are you hurt ?’ They pry and the question me , again and again writing down what I say as I try to hide pain
I don ’ t want them to take me away from you , mum I ’ m confused by these questions after all , I ’ m your son I want to protect you , but you don ’ t keep me safe exposed to your madness , and your psychotic ways .
A distant memory , my innocence is gone , I just wanted you to live up to the role as my mom . You took away my childhood , my friends , and my toys who am I now ? I am a lost boy
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