Social Work Personal Statement

I would like to study Social work at a degree level as it has been of great interest and personal significance. Having gained valuable work experience in social work I'm very keen to learn more about it and expand my skill set.

I have always wanted to make a difference to people's lives, children in particular. I believe social work will enable me to do just that in a more caring and supportive way. When I was growing up, I watched as my best friend was ill-treated by her step mother. The whole community watched along and no one dared to save her. All she wanted was to be loved, cared for, listened to and someone to advise her on what to do or counsel her. Even though help came, it was a little too late as she had suffered a great deal and
she later died in her early twenties. This experience with my friend has instilled in me the desire to become a social worker, the desire to help other children out there. I would like to gain more knowledge in this area of how children and young people can be supported.
My current position as live-in carer for the elderly has given me the confidence and experience for supporting an adult who is particularly vulnerable.
My daily duties include: completing a daily dairy on the service user's health, progress and well being, assisting with all personal care, signing a medication sheet for medication administered. In my experience I have learnt to support a service user with various health problems like dementia, stroke or those with limited mobility.
I have developed a number of skills and qualities from my position as a live-in carer these include: problem solving, working as part of a team with health professionals such as GP, district nurses and managers, also being able to listen attentively to services users and their family. I have become aware of my responsibilities in regard to promoting service users safety, confidentiality, duty of care and accountability of my actions while on duty. Am a mature student student with a degree IT who has learnt to communicate effectively, manage time wisely and use own initiative. In the meantime I intend to increase my knowledge and skills in Social work by reading books available and by also taking short courses that might prove essential to the course such as an Online Child counselling
course.

I'm looking forward to gaining a practical experience while on placement and gaining an in-depth knowledge of what it means to be a social worker. Once I qualify as a social worker I would like to work in the Children's social care department.