The criminal justice system is complex and can be a difficult thing for the public to understand if they have not had first-hand experience of it. Therefore, it is understandable that the role of social work practice in the justice sector is similarly not well understood.
In the latest ‘Care to chat’ podcast episode our host Dr Wendy Austin MBE sits down with two social workers who practice in the justice sector.
Guests Robyn McVeigh, a Probation Officer with the Probation Board for Northern Ireland Ashley Galloway, a Floating Support Social Worker with social justice charity Extern, talk through their experience working in what is a complex and life changing area of social work practice, where their day to day work and the work of their colleagues can change an individual or a family’s life trajectory for the better.
Sound interesting? We agree.
Social workers have a unique part to play working with people and families that come into contact with the criminal justice system, and for Ashley seeing that change is not just possible, but happens for the people she works with, is why social work has part to play. She said:
“It’s just a real privilege to be part of that journey with people when you have an individual that is in and out of custody and the revolving door, they haven’t been in permanent accommodation for several years, and you see with your support that they are implementing positive changes, they are now in permanent, secure accommodation in their home and they have integrated into the community and are successfully managing their tenancy. That makes it all very worthwhile.”
Talking about the hope and potential for change Probation Officer’s see in the people they work with, Robyn continued:
“I think that is something we all aim for, is to put our best into every individual we come into contact with. It could be one person in your career or it could be multiple people in your career but even that one person who is able to turn around and say – that Probation Officer really just helped that penny drop for me to me that is just the gold.”
The Social Care Council releases a new episode every fortnight, discussing current topics about social care and social work regulation in Northern Ireland. Download, subscribe and listen to the latest Social Care Council ‘Care to chat?’ podcast episode today here, or by searching ‘Care to chat’ in your podcast player.
For more information:
If you have questions or feedback about the podcast, email comms@niscc.hscni.net.