Shannon Jones has now been with Essex for two-and-a-half years, working as a social worker. We spoke with Shannon, and asked her what she loves about her job. This is what she had to say:
“My predominant ‘why I stay’, and I’ll more than likely repeat myself on this point, is how much value is placed on supporting one another. The craziness of Assessment & Intervention (A&I) and the shocking things we hear and see really does unite us all and create a shared understanding that, in my opinion is so much stronger than working relationships you would form at any organisation. As social workers, I feel it is only fellow social workers who truly understanding how you feel when you are feeling overwhelmed or have been on a difficult visit. In A&I we all know that and this is why we all turn to each other and offload.”
Even with their challenges, Shannon and her colleagues are still able to do their brilliant work.
“Despite the seriousness of the job, we can all laugh with one another and help each other through another day. Support goes so far within Essex that social workers who have left the team and gone elsewhere on their journey to other teams within Essex, still check in. I genuinely feel that colleagues care about me as a person, not just as a social worker. For me when I am feeling overwhelmed having a chat with someone about something random or being asked if I want a coffee, goes a long way. Coffee is obviously another big reason why I stay and the food table in A&I! It attracts people from all the teams when someone needs a sugary snack to help them through the day.”
I genuinely feel that colleagues care about me as a person.
Shannon Jones
“As for my manager and all the managers in A&I, I stay because they have my best interests at heart; again as a person and as a professional. The importance of progression, training and development needs is consistently instilled in me, along with acknowledging my strengths and positive work. In a busy work environment, managers and colleagues taking the time to praise one another goes a long way and for me, reminds me I am good at my job and gives me the confidence to keep going. Again, this is another reason to stay when managers promote such positive and praising culture!”
Shannon’s worries before joining were quickly squashed:
“What I also love about working for Essex and A&I is that there is no hierarchy amongst colleagues. As a ‘young’ social worker, when I initially started as a social worker I naively worried I would be treated differently or my superiors would be unapproachable. I truly couldn’t have been more wrong! Along with my manager, the service manager and even director of local delivery knows my face, name and me as a person and I feel just as able to approach them about work or personal issues, as I would anyone else in the service.”
“A&I has been in a difficult climate during the COVID-19 pandemic, post pandemic and staff vacancies but in spite of that, managers have remained consistent and driven to recruiting, getting our views on how best to support us and implementing measures accordingly. Light hearted fun and time to be together is also organised often – we recently had time together at ‘South’s Fun Festival’ where we had a barbeque, glitter face painting and games. It was a great event to bring us all together and take a bit of time to pause, amongst the day to day business of the role.”
“Yes, being a social worker can be stressful and A&I is extremely fast pace, but amongst all the chaos, I consistently have the A&I service (whether that be from social workers, seniors, team managers or the service manager) checking in with me, supporting me and reminding me that I am doing the best I can. This support is not only limited to coming from A&I, but in Ely House (and other quadrant buildings when I have visited) there is a friendly culture from other teams who will say hello to one another in the office or when warming lunch up.”
There is a friendly culture from other teams who will say hello to one another in the office.
Shannon Jones
“There is also the benefit of on-site parking at Ely House. I know this may sound mundane in comparison to the large demands of the job but for me, in an already busy day knowing you do not have the additional stress of spending time finding somewhere to park is a massive win. Further to this, Basildon is a great place to work with lots around it – there is a shopping centre and all the best fast food places. So there are places to go to grab food and to pop out quickly on lunch break, to give yourself some time out.”
“Some may argue pay is better elsewhere or case loads are lower, but to me it is so much more importance to work for an organisation and service that supports me, promotes my development and holds my own emotional wellbeing at the forefront. For me, the support I have received from day one when I started as a student social worker is testament to the social worker I am now and the reason why I was offered a job as senior so much earlier than I expected in my career as a social worker.”
The support I have received from day one when I started as a student social worker is testament to the social worker I am now.
Shannon Jones
“I could probably think of many more reasons why I stay and to be honest, I find more reasons each time I find myself becoming overwhelmed. I do not plan on going anywhere else to continue my social work journey. Why would I, when I know I am best supported, encouraged and developed right where I am.”
I do not plan on going anywhere else to continue my social work journey. Why would I, when I know I am best supported, encouraged and developed right where I am.
Shannon Jones
Thank you for reading. If you are interested in social care, you can read more here.
