Over 6,000 social workers are making a difference in people’s lives across Northern Ireland. We are sharing their stories and shining a light on the people who dedicate themselves to social work. They believe in better. They believe in making a difference.
These stories of social workers, recognise their valuable contribution, highlighting the enabling affect it can have for communities, and the diversity and flexibility of roles and career choices across the various sectors and social work settings.
6,600
Social workers – making a difference in people’s lives, every day.
Social workers are individuals who help to support, care for, protect and empower people to live as well and as independently as possible. They deliver a range of practical help and emotional support to individuals, families and communities. Working in social care requires staff to be compassionate, kind and skilled in delivering a quality service to the people being supported.
Read our new social work stories
More social work stories…
Koulla Yiasouma – ‘Can’t see solutions without social work’
Koulla Yiasouma, Former Northern Ireland Commissioner for Children and Young People, talks about her journey as a Social Worker.
Runtime: 4m 04s
Koulla Yiasouma – ‘An eye to changing the word’
Koulla Yiasouma, Former Northern Ireland Commissioner for Children and Young People, talks about her life experience and career choices.
Runtime: 6m 33s
Johnny Dillon – My social work career
Johnny Dillon, Children’s Reform and Change Coordinator (NHSCT), talks about his social work career.
Runtime: 6m 30s
‘Where there’s a will, there’s a way’ – film highlights story of leading Northern Ireland disability activist
What is it like to live in a world that has already made up its mind about you? Today, the Northern Ireland Social Care Council (the Social Care Council) in partnership with the School of Social Sciences, Education and Social Work at Queens University Belfast, present ‘Where there’s a will, there’s a way’, a film about Joanne Sansome, a disability activist who has fought hard to be recognised as a campaigner, educator and published social researcher.
Seven part playlist.
Changing Lives – the Vital Role of Social Workers in Children’s Services in Northern Ireland
‘Changing Lives – the Vital Role of Social Workers in Children’s Services in Northern Ireland’ was commissioned to highlight the value of social work and help promote it as a rewarding career choice.
It gives a behind-the-scenes look at the role social workers play in helping children, young people and their families when they are going through difficult times, and follows a day in the life of five social workers from across each of Northern Ireland’s five Health and Social Care (HSC) Trusts.
Runtime: 19m 07s
Social work –
meet Johnny
Johnny speaks about his early relationship to social work and it leading to his deciding to make it his career. He also tells what people should ask themselves if they are considering a career in social work.
Runtime: 2m 57s
Social work –
meet Naomi
Naomi speaks about how her volunteer work related to her taking up a social work, how this taught her cultural understanding and why professional mentoring and relationships are important.
Runtime: 2m 23s
Social work –
meet Ciaran
Ciaran speaks about his work placements and loving the relationships he go out of it. He also talks about why he loves his job and enjoys making a difference.
Runtime: 2m 55s
How social workers impact my life
Gerard, Joanne, Jordan and Matthew tell us about their experiences and how important trust and how important it is for social workers to give their time to and respect the people they support.
Runtime: 2m 53s
Want to know to more about a BSc (Hons) in Social Work at Ulster University?
We cover what and how you will learn as well as the career opportunities available. You’ll also get to hear what our students think about the course and why they chose to study at Ulster University.
Changing Lives: The Inside Story of the Probation Service
Probation Board for Northern Ireland launches “Changing Lives: The Inside Story of the Probation Service”. This film shows the positive impact Probation has on those we supervise, those we support and in the Justice sector. This film is an opportunity for our Probation Officers, a Service User, an Academic, a Victim Of Crime and a Judge to tell you the story of Probation and its impact. Our work is about Changing Lives for Safer Communities.
Pathways into social work playlist
The Social Care Council invited a number of social work students and recently graduated qualified social workers to come together and share their story of their journey into a career in social work.