OPINION What makes a good social worker? Ask a service user D eciding whether someone has what it takes to become a social worker can be a challenge. But from my point of view I think its about asking service users: Would you want this individual to support you? For the past five years Ive been working alongside staff and service users at Hope University in Liverpool to interview prospective students for the BA/MA in social work. I dont work directly for the university, but for a health and social care charity called PSS. As a social worker I have my fair share of on-the-ground experience, which is incredibly useful. Within this project Ive had the chance to gain a unique insight into the views of current and ex-service users and carers and Ive seen first hand how this has helped lecturers and university professionals to make their decisions about what it takes. Many of our expert interviewer team have used services throughout their lives and worked with numerous social workers along the way, so they know exactly what to look for. Some of our team have been through the care system themselves and therefore have a very clear idea about what qualities are important. If you ask the team for some tips theyll tell you that the good ones are those who are willing to listen and learn, and let others talk rather than dominate the discussion. They also like people who are not scared to talk about their personal experience, so thats something they seek out. I believe this is an important project. Many of the expert interviewers gain confidence by taking part. It brings people out of themselves and can help them feel like theyre giving something back. My hope is that the scheme will continue to grow because the team has become an integral part of Hope and PSS. Theyre helping to challenge preconceptions about service users and carers, and theyre giving us an insight we couldnt get anywhere else. ROSE DEVEREUX The good ones are those who are willing to listen and learn Rose Devereux is partnership coordinator at the Liverpool-based social enterprise PSS BLOG LOG - Thoughts from the College blog Relationships are the golden thread of children and young peoples care experiences. It may seem like common sense but social workers must have the time, confidence and expertise to engage meaningfully with children. AnniE HUDSOn Buttle UK receives 15,000 applications per year for our small grants programme. For many years the issue which tops the list of reasons for families making an application is domestic abuse So we are acutely aware how important financial support is at crucial points in a familys recovery, in particular when trying to live independently of the abusive relationship for the first time. GERRi MCAnDREw Keep a record [of CPD] on an ongoing basis, and dont get too hung up on certificates or worry about the volume of evidence. GUEST blOGGER As both a practitioner and manager I hear colleagues refer to a statutory visit as if the practice of visiting families with children subject to child protection plans every 10 days has been ordained by Whitehall. In fact, current guidance offers no specific directive in this area at all. winSTOn MORSOn Having mental health issues also made me realise exactly who matters in my life and who will be there for me in my time of need, regardless of how much I push them away. KETRAn "