On 4th October 2024 ATD Ireland including Community Activists Paul, Ann Marie, Andrew and Mason delivered the poverty aware practice module during a Tusla and University of Galway joint training conference. The theme of the event was ‘Informing and Challenging Practice’ Anti-Poverty Practice and enhancing capacity in child welfare practice to address inequalities and address wider structural factors affecting children and families.
The conference was attended by professional Tusla social workers and management, academics, as well as Galway University social work students. We really appreciated the invitation to this event and the opportunity to address those who have the power to make a real difference.
We first heard a presentation by Queen’s University Belfast Professors Gavin Davison and Lisa Bunting. They presented findings from the ‘Child Welfare Inequalities Project’. This project explored, through data, the relationship between inequality, social disadvantage and social work intervention. You can find the full report here.
In a complementary fashion, ATD Ireland presented, through lived experience, a session aiming to provide greater understanding into how to deliver a poverty informed social work practice. The group spoke on topics such as judgement and fear, addiction and largely, what positive social work practice can look like.
Andrew engaged the class in a discussion about what poverty and socio- economic discrimination means.
He then introduced a clip of Lorraine sharing a difficult experience of meeting a social worker as new mother.
Ann Marie discussed what positive practice looks like- what is needed to build trust, and a constructive relationship based on mutual respect.
This bond between a social worker and a client is inhibited when social workers are constantly changing and a parent has to repeatedly retell their story again and again.
“I’ve had social workers that have left me in the same situation they found me. There are not enough social workers. You can’t build a bond when the social workers are always changing. I think social workers need to have a better understanding of addiction”.
She also spoke about how, when possible, families should be supported to stay together.
Social workers can have a really transformative impact when a positive relationship is built.
“Social workers can make a really positive impact. My kids are now both doing great. If it wasn’t for Thelma we wouldn’t be where we are today”.
Andrew discussed the cycle of poverty, leading us into a clip of Christina sharing a speech on the importance of adequate minimum income schemes.
Led by Paul, we took some time to recognise the shared fear that can exist between social workers and their clients. Alongside the genuine fear, judgement and which can arise for those living in poverty when they are faced with social work intervention, the group recognised the challenges often faced by the social workers also. Systemic issues, negative media attention and the nature of the job itself can make it difficult for well-intentioned social workers to make a positive impact.
To sum up the heart of why we do this poverty aware practice, Ann Marie says that “it will be worth it if she can make the difference in the life of just one child“.
Thank you very much to Tusla and Galway University, especially Eleanor Kelly for inviting us to this conference and for the warm and affirming feedback after our presentation. Thank you so much to the Community Activists for being so generous as to so openly share these experiences and insights. Actions like this aimed at building genuine partnership and listening are very reflective of our theme for the 17th October UN Day for the Eradication of Poverty this year. Read more here.
