Do you struggle to stand up for yourself as a social worker? Setting boundaries can be hard, but with a bit of self-discipline and clear communication you’ll be surprised how much easier your work life will become. In this article, we share a few ideas on how to hold your ground as a social worker…
Learn how to prioritise
Prioritisation is a valuable skill in any profession, but if you can master it as a social worker then you’ll be laughing. We recommend colour coding your workload by order of importance so you know where to start your day and what can wait until the afternoon. Give yourself a designated timeframe to check your emails/reply so you don’t get distracted by them throughout the day. Lastly, make sure you prioritise your tasks over last minute requests - otherwise you’ll never get anything done!
Move on quickly from mistakes
We all make mistakes, nobody is perfect etc. You’ve heard it all before, we know. But on a serious note, don’t dwell on something if it goes wrong. It’s happened now and you can’t change it; but what you can do is learn from it. Rather than allowing yourself to over-dramatise the situation, focus on what you did well that day. As long as you’re not putting yourself or anyone else in danger, then all you can do is do your best!
Don’t be afraid to ask for help
Whether you seek help formally through your organisation, or in the capacity of a trusted colleague, it is unbelievably important to speak up about whatever it is you’re going through. Being a social worker can be psychologically testing, so if there is ever a time where you feel like you need extra support processing your emotions, then reaching out can make a massive difference to your mental health.
Set clear boundaries
We know it can be tempting to say yes to every favour someone asks of you at work, you want to come across in the best light after all, right? However, taking on extra caseloads, for example, when you have little to no capacity left isn’t going to help anyone in the long run. Not only will you be overstretched and therefore unable to provide your clients with the time and effort they deserve, but also you risk your own health. Burnout is a very real issue in the world of social work, so don’t take your chances - set firm boundaries and say no to requests that are unrealistic.
Final thoughts
Remember that you are the number one priority, if work is starting to compromise your mental health then it’s a sign something needs to change. Help is always available, so make sure you use it.
Want to chat? Email our team at info@imperiumsolutions.co.uk for career advice and upcoming roles.
Check out our vacancies page for the latest opportunities in project-based social care.
Comments