What next after forty years of social work?

AFTER ALMOST 40 years as a social worker, Dr Steve Rogowski has decided to retire… or at least take the summer off. Here he looks back at his career and the changing times for the sector.

He writes: “I specialise in work with children and families and have worked at various locations in Oldham.

“My last office was at Royton Town Hall but my fondest memories are from Fitton Hill where I was based in a sub-office in the late 1980s-early 90s.

“A proactive, preventative service was provided then rather than the reactive service that now dominates under the name of child protection/safeguarding.

“Dealing with problems or difficulties at an early stage leading to less crisis-oriented work later was the philosophy, something acknowledged by the now sadly deceased councillor for the area Margaret Riley.

“However, social work in Oldham was not immune to the ravages of Thatcherism and ensuing Tory, New Labour and now Coalition governments.

“Processes of privatisation, marketisation and managerialism all served to control what practitioners do and how – essentially they are now involved in rationing resources and risk assessment via completing bureaucracy speedily.

“A recent publication even suggests social workers are little more than ‘community surveillance and rationing officers’.

“Such developments, including the fact that in essence I have been swimming against the tide for many years, have perhaps taken their toll, hence the decision to retire – or take a six-month break or sabbatical.

“One article I read said the average career length for a social worker was eight year! However, what kept me going was belief in the value of social work – helping and supporting, as well as at times controlling, people in difficult circumstance.

“I have also written many articles and papers as well as two books dealing with my experiences and ideas.

“Now, to use the old hippy phrase, I want to ‘bum around’ for at least a while – pike fishing, travelling and generally having fun.

“There are also two further books to pursue (one on pike fishing and one a memoir about my career).  So, with spring and eventually summer beckoning let’s see what the future brings.”