What it Takes to Thrive as a Guernsey Social

Social work is one of the most fulfilling jobs you could have – making a direct difference to the lives of local people and improving their outcomes. To succeed in this job, you’ll need to have a specific set of qualities and skills.

Are you considering applying for a social work role here in Guernsey? If so, this blog will help to highlight exactly what it’ll take to really thrive as one of our social workers:

Compassion and empathy

These might just be the most important qualities you can have as a social worker here on the island: compassion and empathy. It’s crucial that you understand and relate to the challenges faced by the people and families you’ll be supporting. You will need to be able to connect with them on a human level and show genuine concern for their wellbeing.

Problem-solving and critical thinking

As one of our social workers, at times you’ll be faced with complex and challenging situations that will require top-notch problem-solving and critical thinking skills. You’ll be required to assess a person or family’s situation, and identify potential solutions, as well as making informed decisions that support their best interests.

Self-care and resilience

As with any social care job, there will be moments where the role feels emotionally taxing. Our social workers are resilient and able to handle stressful situations and adversity – we’re always on hand to support you through challenging moments on the job. You will need to practice self-care regularly to maintain the right balance of emotional and physical wellbeing. This means different things to different people, but might include engaging in regular exercise, seeking support from colleagues and managers, and taking time for stress-reducing hobbies and other activities outside of work.

Excellent communication skills

It really is true what they say – communication is key. Effective communication is an essential quality held by all our social workers. To join our team, you’ll need to be able to communicate clearly, and in a considerate manner, with the people we support as well as your colleagues and other social care professionals. You will need to be a good, active listener; able to express empathy and to communicate complex, and maybe at times difficult, information in a way that’s easy to digest and to understand.

Cultural competence and diversity awareness

We’re proud that Guernsey social workers have a great understanding of the importance of cultural competence, and diversity awareness. It’s essential that you work in an inclusive way with people from a variety of backgrounds, and that you understand any unique challenges they may face. We will support you to identify your own unconscious biases, and work with you to overcome them – this will ensure that you’re able to provide the very best care for all people in our communities.

Do you feel like the above describes you? If so, please apply for one of our social work vacancies today.