TODAY’S World Social Work Day celebrations will highlight the importance of human relationships while uniting those employed in what can be an emotionally challenging occupation.
Working within the South East community for 20 years, Department of Child Protection supervisor Sharlini McCarthy said she could not see herself anywhere but here.
Despite the challenges of the profession, Ms McCarthy said she enjoys her work and looks at it as a privilege.
“For me, I see this job as a huge privilege to work with children and families in our community,” she said.
“We help achieve better outcomes for children and assist in keeping children safe within our community, which is a real joy for me.”
Ms McCarthy studied social work at UniSA in Adelaide in the late 1990’s before returning to Mount Gambier and joining the Child Protection department.
“I wanted to be involved in working with the community and vulnerable people and help them through difficult situations,” Ms McCarthy said.
Despite being a “challenging degree”, due to what students are exposed to and learn about, Ms McCarthy said social work was rewarding.
“We get to know children and families within our community and work with them to keep them safe,” she said.
“I have watched them come into foster care as babies and leave as 18 year olds which has been amazing to see them reach their full potential.”
Rewards aside, Ms McCarthy said the biggest challenges facing the department were social issues such as substance abuse and mental health for families and the impact it has on children.
“From my perspective in my role it can be rewarding in terms of trying to help families make changes in their lives so their children can stay at home.”
Ms McCarthy said support is given to parents to help make personal changes to help keep their children in the family environment.
The biggest issue facing the Mount Gambier community, according to Ms McCarthy, is a lack of foster carers and the impact it has on their work.
“It is something that us and our partnering bodies are working really hard to try and fix,” Ms McCarthy said.
“But social work is so varied, people who study the degree can work at the hospital or in mental health, domestic violence, it is a very varied profession.”
