On the 15th of January 2025, the National Society for the Prevention of Cruelty of Children (NSPCC), a child protection charity and partner organisation of ACAA, held an enlightening workshop at the ACAA Feltham office. The session aimed to clarify the role of social workers, dispel common misconceptions, and highlight the valuable support they provide to individuals and families.
Many clients at the ACAA approach the topic of social work with apprehension, often fearing what involvement might mean for their families. This workshop was a crucial step towards addressing those concerns and fostering trust between social workers and the community, and is one example of the fundamental work the ACAA
What is a social worker?
The Cambridge Dictionary defines social work as ‘the job of giving help and support to people who have family problems or who are old or ill’. However, as the NSPCC professionals explained during the workshop, social workers’responsibilities extend far beyond this definition.
Social workers are dedicated to improving the lives of vulnerable adults and children. They assist a wide range of groups, some of which include:
• Individuals experiencing mental health challenges
• People with drug or alcohol dependencies
• Adults managing long-term illnesses or disabilities
• Families affected by domestic or sexual abuse
• Refugees, asylum seekers and other marginalised groups
Social workers operate across diverse environments, such as schools, hospitals, local authorities, and charities like the NSPCC, ensuring their services are accessible to those who need it the most.
How do Social Workers become involved?
Social workers typically engage with families in one of two ways:
1. Self-referral: Families seeking support may approach social workers directly through local councils or charitable organisations
2. Professional referral: Teachers, doctors, or health visitors may recommend social intervention if they identify a family in need of additional assistance.
Addressing common misconceptions about social workers
One of the workshop’s key goals was to debunk prevalent myths surrounding social workers such as:
1. “Social workers take children away from families.”
Removing a child from their family is not a decision which is made lightly; it is always used as a last resort and is carried out by the police or courts following a rigorous legal process, during which the family is kept informed.
2. “Social workers don’t respect cultural differences.”
Social workers value and respect diverse cultural differences. Part of their role is to explain any differences between UK laws and those of an individual’s home country. Interpreters are provided to bridge language barriers and a formal complaint process is readily available if families feel their culture has not been respected.
3. “Social workers interfere with the lives of other people.”
Social workers only intervene when invited by the family or when there is a significant risk of harm. Privacy laws have been put into place to ensure that their involvement is appropriate, and only occurs when it is necessary. The ultimate aim of social workers is to create a stable family environment where their help is no longer required.
4. “My immigration status affects the help I can get from social workers”
Regardless of immigration status, vulnerable individuals or families are able to access the support they need from social workers.
Support programmes highlighted by the NSPCC
The NSPCC also runs several specialised support programmes designed to address specific challenges:
- Pregnancy Group: An eight-week online programme supporting pregnant women (12-26 weeks) and their partners, who may be experiencing mild anxiety or depression. It is a programme which promotes emotional well-being and reduces isolation during pregnancy.
- Domestic Abuse Recovery Group: A ten-week, in person programme based in Camden to help victims recover from domestic abuse.
- Sexual Abuse Recovery Group: Tailored support for children and young people who have experienced sexual abuse. This includes up to 24 weeks of one-to-one sessions, alongside resources for parents of the victims.
A message of gratitude and hope
The workshop concluded with an inspirational speech from Dr. Nooralhaq Nasimi MBE, the Founder and Director of the ACAA. He thanked the NSPCC social workers for their dedication and for addressing the fears and misconceptions prevalent within the community.
Dr. Nasimi highlighted the vital role of collaboration between organisations like the ACAA and NSPCC in building trust and fostering mutual understanding within the community. He encouraged families to see social workers as allies, dedicated to enhancing their lives and ensuring their safety and well-being. Furthermore, Dr. Nasimi emphasised the importance of integration within the UK, sharing the success of ACAA’s mentoring programmes. These initiatives have supported Afghan parents whose children had been taken into care, leading to transformative changes in their behaviour and ultimately resulting in the children being reunited with their families.
Conclusion
Workshops like this are vital in building bridges between communities and support services. By addressing fears and providing accurate information, directly to the audiences that this information concerns, the NSPCC and ACAA are helping families feel empowered to seek help when needed.
For more information about the NSPCC, please visit their website
To support the ACAA in continuing its transformative work, please follow us on our social media pages and donate if possible!
By Amber Amir