A word of advice...
Published by Professional Social Work magazine, 17 August, 2022
Sherlock social worker
Do your investigating before you go out. If it’s a first time visit check out the parking situation. Can you park down the road a bit so you can drive away cleanly (if rushed) and not be blocked in? Check out Google street view before you go. And do a drive by if the area is “interesting”.
Selfie's get stick
Understand the rules for people videoing you. Think ‘Is it illegal?’ It’s definitely more prevalent and it is intrusive. The Data Protection Act makes it clear that individuals do not need the consent of professionals to record meetings/visits, if the information being discussed in that situation is personal to them and therefore exempt from the data protection principles.
There may be problems if the meeting is going to deal with issues relating to a third party. I have never felt uncomfortable being videoed, although post visit editing is my only worry. But if you are clear, consistent and transparent throughout all processes, then all should be well.
SpongeBob Friday
All my social work chums and service users always say I have a door knock like the police (it’s quite firm and loud). It seems a small thing, but important. You don’t want to “chap the door with a sponge”, as we used to say in child protection social work, but you want to be loud enough for someone to hear so you can evidence if their not home.
Don’t go peeking in windows, you’re not a detective, unless there’s a child you know in the room or vulnerable adult. And always, always have your ID. You don’t have to have it around your neck - neighbours don’t need to have something more to gossip about on the street WhatsApp group. Confidentiality is key. Just getting across the threshold sometimes is a battle, even if people are aware of the visit. So if you get in, be respectful, take your shoes off, if required, follow protocol.
Turkey teeth
Along with possibly being videoed, you need to smile! A proper friendly smile goes a long way to imbue trust. And introduce yourself clearly. You will have written to people and outlined why you are visiting but reiterate it as many times as you can so it sinks in. Preferably on the doorstep. People don’t always listen when nervous. When inside clock the exits and entrances, and sit by the door. Make sure you know exactly who is in the house. I have been caught out many times by people coming downstairs unexpectedly at inopportune moments.
Hide & seek
Don’t hide behind your paperwork. Ask if you can record the conversation and use something like Otter AI to transcribe via your phone. Or just have a notebook and pen. That’s all you need. Keep note taking to a minimum to keep the physical barriers down. You should be able to recall a 60 minute conversation without an app or notes.
Kim and Aggy it?
Most houses we visit will be relatively inviting and clean. The minority might need a little TLC. I always carry a change of trousers/underwear in my car. Last week I sat in an urine soaked cat bed on a chair. Some social work authors will have all sorts of ideas about home visits and how to conduct them to meet your needs as an assessor. But this isn’t your house, it’s their house, their rules. Would you like it if someone came in and started ordering you around in your home? If they won’t turn the TV down what are you going to do? If there’s no table to sit at, how will you manage? What if you need a pee? Top tip: go before and don’t drink coffee. I once went to a loo and they had a pet python in the bath. Sometimes, however, I like going to see people’s loos just to establish a base line of cleanliness.
If the home is in complete disarray then an office visit may be best. What about pets? Did you know they had a “devil” dog? Will you ask it to be restrained before or during the visit?
Alasdair Kennedy is an interim social work manager and runs the popular Sociable Social Worker YouTube channel