“If the work we do helps somebody move forward, and gives them a better opportunity than they had before, then that’s what matters.”
When When Ewan graduated with a degree in music, he imagined his future would involve teaching and working in the arts. What has remained a constant throughout his career, however, is a passion for helping people grow and succeed. Through teaching music, Ewan spent years supporting young people in building their confidence, overcoming challenges, and achieving their goals. Those experiences sparked an interest in working more directly with people facing difficulties in their lives. Building relationships has shaped every aspect of Ewan’s journey, whether that be through supporting young people in school or helping children and families as a social work assistant. Today, Ewan, who is from Craigavon works as a social work assistant supporting children, young people, and families, as part of the Children in Care Team, within the Southern Health and Social Care Trust.
Music was a major part of Ewan’s life growing up near Craigavon. Coming from a musical family, he was involved in community groups, orchestras, and performances from an early age, nurturing what has become a lifelong passion and a source of great joy and connection throughout his life, and now career. After university, he built a career teaching music in schools and community settings, helping young people develop skills and confidence through performance. As Ewan says, “The most rewarding part was seeing young people achieve something and helping them get to the stage where they felt proud of themselves. You could see their confidence growing, and for some young people it gave them something to work towards and something they could genuinely look forward to”.
For Ewan, the value of that work extended far beyond music lessons. Working closely with young people helped develop an understanding of the importance of encouragement, support, and positive relationships. Supporting young people through music often involved building trust, understanding individual needs, and helping young people navigate challenges, which were all important parts of the role; skills which would later become central to his work as a social work assistant.
Finding a new direction…
Before entering the world of social care, Ewan worked as a classroom assistant, spending much of his time supporting young people on a one-to-one basis. He found himself particularly drawn to pastoral support and to helping pupils facing challenges in their lives. It was during this period that he was encouraged by a close friend, who also worked in the profession to consider a social work assistant role.
At the time, he admits, he knew very little about the profession. “I had never heard of a social work assistant before. When you hear social services or social work, you already have an idea in your head about what it involves. But once I started working in the service, I realised how much of the role is about supporting people, building relationships, and helping families through difficult situations”, Ewan says. That experience challenged many of the assumptions he had previously held.
Working first within family intervention services and now in children’s services, Ewan supports social workers while working directly with children, young people, and parents. His role includes supervising family time, supporting assessments and reviews, and helping families access the support they need. The work is incredibly varied, but the opportunity to build relationships is what he values most.
As Ewan notes, “A lot of our role is relationship-based. We spend a lot of time with children and families, which allows us to build rapport and get to know them. That can be incredibly important because people need somebody they feel comfortable talking to”.
Supporting people through difficult times
Ask Ewan what he enjoys most about social care, and his answer comes back to people. He describes himself as a people person and believes some of the most valuable support comes from being present, listening and taking an interest in someone’s life.
“For young people who are going through really difficult situations, being able to provide support and be one of the adults they feel safe talking to is incredibly rewarding. Some of the challenges they face are more than most adults have had to endure, so being able to offer support during that time is incredibly important”, Ewan says.
The role has given Ewan a deeper understanding of the challenges many families face and the importance of approaching people with empathy and understanding. Ewan says, “Working in social care changes your perception. You become more considerate of a person’s background, what they may have endured in their life, and what their story is”. He believes that many people underestimate the impact of consistent support and positive relationships, expressing, “I think a lot of the time you don’t realise the impact you’re having. It can be as simple as taking the time to talk, listening properly, and showing someone that you care”.
Continuing the journey
Ewan credits much of his development to the support he has received from colleagues throughout his career so far. He describes social care as a profession where teamwork plays a crucial role, particularly when situations become challenging. Ewan notes, “The biggest support you have is the people around you. If you’re dealing with something difficult or you’re unsure about something, there are always colleagues you can speak to.”
The profession has also provided opportunities to continue learning and developing. Recently, Ewan secured a place on The Open University’s BA in Social Work, allowing him to continue developing his professional knowledge and skills. For Ewan, studying social work feels like a logical next step in a journey that began years earlier through supporting young people in music and education. The experiences he gained as a classroom assistant and social work assistant have all contributed to the skills and understanding he brings to the profession today.
Why consider a career in social care?
For anyone considering a career in social care, Ewan believes the most important qualities are empathy, patience, and a genuine interest in people. As he begins the next stage of his journey, Ewan remains focused on the reason he entered the profession in the first place. “I hope to help people move towards a more positive future. If the work we do helps somebody move forward, and gives them a better opportunity then they had before, then that’s what matters”
Feeling inspired?
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