Paul Gaynor
Coventry,England
Summary
I initially came into social work at the age of 35 after many years of planning for this. I left school with no qualifications and so was unsure as to whether I could manage a degree at university. Soon after applying for a place at Coventry university i was accepted on the 3 year programme. At the end of my first year placement i was offered a job as an unqualified social worker based in the same office as where i had completed my placement. I was still at university and during any days that I was not at university I was working in this unqualified role.
After studying for 3 years I achieved my bachelor of Arts degree along with a big smile on my face.
I believe that my best quality is the ability to communicate well putting people at ease. Social work involvement for a person and their family can often lead to levels of anxiety and a sense of failure due to their request for social care support. It is therefore vital that people can achieve a feeling of empowerment and not just another person in the care system. I am aware that people's expectations need to be managed and as appropriate challenged with regards to their desired outcomes and services they receive. With a good approach this can be achieved.
Often social work involvement with the person and family can lead to challenging situations that need to be de-escalated before any other work can be managed. Over the past years in my role I have the proven skills to achieve this. Many challenging episodes come about through safeguarding referrals with the alleged perpetrator being a family member, neighbour or friend. Whether the claims of abuse are correct or not involves a great deal of personal skills to effectively bring the safeguarding to a conclusion with the person (at risk) now safe and well. Safeguarding's are often not about imposing blame but also can be a learning experience for some many of the person's involved.
After qualifying I worked immediately for a reviewing team based in Coventry. From thereon for approximately ten years I worked as a locum travelling to different work locations within the West Midlands. My ability to transition between teams and local authorities I see as both an enjoyable and rewarding experience but also shows that I am very good at integrating seamlessly into teams, meeting new people and working with different systems (carefirst, eclipse) within each council. Over the past 5 years I have worked predominantly at my home address which has often been very challenging. However, it shows an ability to adapt to change whilst still maintaining a good level of work and throughput.
I have always worked on the belief that despite being a qualified social worker for 21 years I do not know everything and that at times I need to see advice and guidance. I have always made the effort to seek out support when I am unsure of how to proceed in my work. Whilst this can include supervisions I am also active in seeking the support from other work colleagues ensuring that the correct processes are followed within each authority. I find that most people are happy to support as we all need support at times. Whilst asking for support achieves the goal it also allows me to build up positive relationships with these fellow workers.
Since taking my contracted role in Birmingham I have been very active in supporting students who are new to the team. Whilst this has reduced significantly since Covid I do recognise how my own development was improved by having social workers taking me out on their own case visits. I am not a social work mentor but have enjoyed the interaction with students allowing them to learn from me but equally important, learning from them.
Overview
21
21
years of professional experience
3
3
years of post-secondary education
Work history
Social Worker
Birmingham Local Authority
Birmingham, West Midlands
2015.02 - Current
- Working with people who are subject to section42 enquiries whilst always ensuring that the person is at the centre of the investigation and their wishes are respected. Conducting mental capacity assessments to determine the persons level of capacity relating to the initial concern and decision that needs to be made. Working with other agencies to ensure that all professional are working in the best interests of the person through bringing their own specialised knowledge to the enquiry.
- Conducting assessments to evaluate the persons circumstances, needs, and also risks. Understanding that the assessment process is used not just to provide services from the local authority but to consider other means to meet the persons needs. This may include community based services for example. When needs require other specialist intervention to identify this and signpost accordingly. This may include mental health services, GP or occupational therapy.
- Undertaking annual reviews to determine how well a service that is provided is working. This allows both the person receiving the support to express its success and also its shortfalls but also for the social worker to identify any increases or reductions in the package of care.
- Being involved in continuing health care assessments with health workers to determine a persons potential eligibility for nursing care/funding. This involves working with all persons involved in the persons care and as necessary advising persons on the process.
- Arranging best interests meetings with all persons involved in the care and support that the person is receiving. This process ensures that the best outcome is achieved in the least restrictive manner. This process involves both family and also professionals.
- Undertaking mental capacity assessments relating to the Mental Capacity Act (MCA) 2005 ensuring that the assessment relates to a specific decision that the person needs to make. This process always needs to assume that the person has capacity until proven otherwise.
- Working in a multi disciplinary way recognising that other professionals work within their own field of expertise which in turn can ensure that the person is supported in the best way possible.
- Seeking support from other colleagues within the office environment to recognise that all people have their own areas of specialism whilst being confident to ask when I'm not sure of a process.
- Whilst I have been in my currently employment since 2015 I have also worked for a social work recruitments agency working in many locations across the west midlands showing a very flexible approach to my work. During every post I have taken I have always been invited to Teams meetings encouraging involvement in how the team is run and supported.
- Completing accurate care plans allowing all persons involved in the package of care to express their wishes and feelings to ensure that the care plan is very focused on the person themselves.
- Managing and maintaining case recordings relating to phone calls, emails and text messages. I have always been aware that if the conversation is not recorded then it never happened. This process ensures that if complaints are made then I have an accurate recording of any discussions between myself and other persons.
- An awareness of legislation and how this impacts on my social work role.
- Having a knowledge of community based services. Many levels of support that are required do not need to be funded by the local authority. This can reduce local authority expenditure whilst ensuring that client eligibility is managed effectively.
- Being able to recognise the social workers scope of work and signposting where appropriate to other professionals including occupational therapy, mental health and GP.
Social worker
Locum
Various, West Midlands
2005.09 - 2017.02
My various locum posts were based in 3 offices within the Solihuill area. I have also worked in Tamworth, North and south Warwickshire, Coventry including UHCW hospital in Coventry.
The tasks and role were the same as my current post as above.
Education
BA in Social Work - Social Work
Coventry University
Coventry 2002.09 - 2005.07
Skills
- An ability to manage difficult situations and take appropriate actions to deescalate potential volatile situations This ability has primarily been achieved through continued safeguarding work supporting people and managing the source of the risk
- To have empathy towards a persons situation recognising that for many people the involvement of a social worker can cause significant anxiety I measure this success by feedback from the person and also other family members and professionals
- To listen to what people are saying about their current situation and not make assumptions without first seeing a clear picture of their needs and wants
- An ability to communicate in a clear and relaxed way putting people at ease Once this is achieved people are more confident to discuss their concerns and their goals
- To recognise and be confident in managing/challenging people's expectations as to what they ultimately want from social care involvement This requires an open and honest conversation
- Experience of working with all client groups including mental health, learning difficulties and older adults
- Experience of working in all aspects of social work from annual reviews to court work This also includes continuing health care assessments, deprivation of liberty assessments and mental capacity assessments to name just three
- Whilst I will actively seek out support and advice in my work I am also active in self reflecting on the work I am currently involved in This can often be critical but also positive reflection
- Being an active member of the team and offering support where i can Expressing my own opinions and accepting other people's opinions based on respectful values
- A clear understanding of accurate and record keeping completed in a timely manner This also includes relevant forms completed in a professional manner whilst also enabling the reader to see the full person and not just their needs and disabilities
Affiliations
- I am a keen photographer and camera collector. This interest allows me time to walk and explore places that i have not visited before whilst being involved in my hobby.
- I am a keen musician with my own studio in my attic.
References
References available upon request.
Timeline
Social Worker
Birmingham Local Authority
2015.02 - Current
Social worker
Locum
2005.09 - 2017.02
BA in Social Work - Social Work
Coventry University
2002.09 - 2005.07