Mar 17 - Today Is World Social Work Day
Today is World Social Work Day, which recognises and promotes the crucial difference that social workers and social care professionals make to people’s lives. Those in the field of social work provide an essential service, yet they are seldom thanked for their hard work and their achievements often go unrecognised. The theme for 2015 is ‘Promoting the Dignity and Worth of Peoples’. This is paramount in the principles of social work.
Social work is a professional and academic discipline that seeks to improve the quality of life and well-being of individuals, families and groups.
Social Services in Gibraltar encompasses Children’s Services, Adult Services and Disability Services. It ensures the safeguarding and protection of children and vulnerable adults and provides support to families in crisis. The majority of work conducted within Social Services is done so within a statutory framework or working with best practice guidelines.
Social Services in Gibraltar has now changed its focus; an increase in resources and changes to management structures has enabled the department to formulate and develop strategies and polices. Today it is a progressive organisation with clear direction and strategies. One of the most notable is the shift from reactive work to early intervention and prevention work through support, education and training.
A multi-agency approach is very important to achieving best outcomes. Social Services has now fostered and developed good relationships with key partner departments, and has worked with them to establish several formal inter-agency committees.
Working in social care is vocational in the main and working in this profession can give great job satisfaction. It is a future that the Government is investing in through professional development training and ensuring that staff get the support they need.
The Minister for Social Services, Samantha Sacramento, said: ‘My personal motivation for entering politics was my affinity with Social Services and a strong desire to improve this Service. There has been significant development over the past couple of years and I continue to work closely with management to further improve the Service. I wish to thank all social workers and social care professionals, as well as support staff, for the wonderful work that they continuously do.’
