duty SUCKS!!!

Today, was my very first day as the "duty social worker." Put simply, it means that I don't work on any of my own cases that I am super behind on, but instead, complete tasks regarding the unallocated cases and cases of coworkers on vacation or out of the office. CRAP!

To start out the day, I had the privilege of CHAIRING a meeting. Personally, I have only attended two other meetings like this one, and I have NOT chaired any yet. SO, I spent about two hours stumbling through the meeting with a major problem being mom's moving to America and lucky them, America (that's me!) came to help fix their problem! I thought that part was pretty funny!

Upon returning to the office, I received two duty phone calls with yelling/extremely irritated people on the other line. One a parent and one a professional. Sadly, many people forget their manners when they call our office.

Next, I met a lad in reception, who wanted me to find him a new Bed and Breakfast, because he was receiving threats at his current B&B. I spent the next three hours calling 20 B&B in one town, 5 in another, and 4 in another all to tell me A: they do not accept young people on benefits or B: they do accept young people on benefits, but they are full because this is a bank holiday weekend. I called two other social services offices, and three other professionals offices as well to help me assist this kid. By the time I had to leave for my next assignment, I called the kid back to tell him I had no luck and tomorrow's duty social worker would try again.

During my final assignment of the day, I met two ADORABLE little girls and a less than polite parent. We talked in circles for about an hour, and at one point he told me to leave, but then asked me to stay, and then showed me his baseball bat he would use a protection if ever need be (not threatening me or anything).

On my 30 minute journey back to the office, I again wondered why I am doing this ridiculous job.

When I returned at 5:30, I called one of my morning yellers to tell him I had not accomplished his request, but his social worker would be in tomorrow. Surprisingly, he said okay and was really kind to me! :)

I then spent the next hour clearing the mound of files off my desk and documenting all the exciting events of the day. I was officially the last person to leave my office and parking lot at 7 pm. I even met the lovely cleaning lady way on my way through to the kitchen to grab my lunch that I did not have time to eat.

What a freaking RIDICULOUS day!

I have decided that "duty" work is ineffective and way less than best practice. We just bandaid big issues and wait for the next problem to flair up to add another bandaid. But, what else do you do if you have more cases than social workers?

However, just for once in the next year and a half I am here, I would like for ONE parent, young person, or professional I work with to take responsibility for ONE issue they are experiencing and STOP blaming social services. Because, dear families, if we are involved with you, it must mean you are doing at least one thing wrong! I promise we don't come out and visit for fun!

Okay...that's the end of my soap box!

Thanks for reading! :)