“I go to bed most nights with a sense of achievement.”
After nearly a decade working for a national voluntary organisation/Action for Children , as a Business Support Manager, Pamela Scott was inspired by the social workers who she worked with each day. Hearing their stories and seeing the positive effect their work was having first-hand, meant that in her 40s she decided to become a social worker herself to better support children and families.
“Having left school with only my GCSEs, I applied to Northern Regional College for a Level 4 Course in Health and Social Care,” Pamela shares. “The access course covered modules including safeguarding, psychology, and sociology, giving me insight into the sector. I completed it over two years while still working with Action for Children where I was lucky enough to do my placement.”
She then pursued the Degree in Social Work at Queen’s University Belfast, studying both in-person and online during the pandemic. “My final student placement was with the Northern Health and Social Care Trust. It was full-time and intensive, but I thoroughly enjoyed it. It set me up well for my Assessed Year in Employment (AYE), which all social workers do once qualified.”
Pamela was thrilled to continue working with the Northern Trust and is proud to be a social worker as part of their Community Living Team, in the role of Young Homeless Lead for the Trust, that can be unpredictable and varied.
“No two days are the same, and that’s the lovely thing about social work. You can’t get bored!” Her work involves significant crisis intervention. “You can’t plan when someone becomes homeless. You can put measures in place to prevent it, but if something breaks down, you must respond immediately as this can be a young person with no accommodation.”
Despite the challenging circumstances working with some of the most vulnerable in our population, Pamela finds most of the young people and families she works with are eager to engage. “The young people and families I work with typically want my support. It’s important they understand I’m there to advocate for the child’s best interests. I adapt my approach to ensure they feel heard and it is clear that I am there to advocate for the child or young person.”
Young people facing homelessness often come from families experiencing relationship breakdowns due to substance use, domestic violence, mental health issues, or criminal activity. These breakdowns can occur during transitional teenage years when insecure family circumstances can trigger difficult feelings and behaviours.
Pamela’s approach involves assessment, planning, and review. “First, I ensure the child’s safety and explore whether a relationship that may be damaged, can be repaired. Sometimes, helping parents adjust their approach can make a big difference. If it’s safe, the young person may remain at home. If not, I liaise with the Northern Ireland Housing Executive (NIHE) for an assessment unit. After assessment, they may return home, find alternative accommodation through their parents, or enter care as a looked-after child.”
Pamela also supports unaccompanied asylum-seeking minors who become part of the young homeless population when they arrive to Northern Ireland. “These young people arrive into the country vulnerable and with no support, and the Northern Trust provide accommodation and care for them as ‘looked after children’. The involvement with the Home Office and legal considerations is an interesting aspect of the social work role in the Community Living Team.” She, also, manages risks related to human trafficking, which can be a concern for vulnerable asylum seekers.
Pamela emphasises the importance of supervision in handling such complex cases. “Work gets busy, but it’s my responsibility to engage in supervision and talk through challenges with my manager. It helps me stay focused and maintain professional boundaries.”
She, also, acknowledges that it can be difficult to switch off from work. “Worrying about a young person when you leave them for the day is natural, but self-care is essential. I’ve learned that constantly thinking about cases at home means I’m not present for my family and friends. Prioritising that balance is crucial.”
Pamela believes her later-in-life career change has been an asset. “I’m turning 53 this year and have three grown-up children. My life and parenting experience have helped me greatly in this role. Before my qualifications, I volunteered at an outreach centre, which developed my skills. But my studies taught me the ‘why’ behind behaviours and approaches. The Social Work Degree course truly changes you as a person.”
She encourages anyone considering a career change to take the leap. “Social work is hard but rewarding. If you focus on the person, build relationships, and achieve positive outcomes, the work is incredibly fulfilling. I go to bed most nights with a sense of achievement.”
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Homelessness can affect anyone at any time and it is important to raise awareness about it and what support can be available. If you are interested in finding out more about homelessness you can check our dedicated Learning Zone resource or find out about the most recent meeting of the Homelessness Awareness Panel.