Uncertainties, mysteries, doubts and Approved Social Worker Training

Abstract

The authors have recently been involved in an Approved Social Worker Training, one as programme coordinator and the other as external assessor. This article is about what ASW training entails and how social workers embarking on it might be helped towards a more meaningful, less mechanistic relationship to their work, by training which offers contemplation as well as competence.On arrival, I was warned by nursing staff that A was in a very bad mood and had threatened to set fire to the ward and some of the staff. Witnessing this awoke memories of a similar situation when I was a social work student trying to understand and work with individuals in emotional distress. Here, I felt detached, under no pressure to engage or empathise. and aware of providing a sympathetic ear, a sort of passive mediator, between A and the ward team, a receptive and responsive presence. She had settled considerably and I said goodbye. As I was leaving, she poignantly thanked me for coming, (from candidate T's report of an observation)

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