Ian: social work never stops surprising you
Ian joined Approach Social Work (known as the Frontline programme at the time) in 2017 after working as a teacher. Here’s how the programme helped him move into social work and how his career has developed since.
I used to be a teacher and I really enjoyed working with children. But over time, I realised that I wanted to do something other than teach. I was seeing challenges in the classroom and I wanted to work directly with the problems behind them. So, I started looking at other options and eventually found social work.
When I discovered Approach Social Work, it immediately stood out to me. I’m not someone who thrives in traditional academic settings. The idea of spending a year only doing lectures and studying didn’t appeal to me. What did appeal was learning on the job – getting involved with families from day one and building experience through real practice.
That approach made a huge difference for me. After completing the first five weeks to get us ready for our placement, I remember starting on my first Monday and immediately being introduced to two young people I would work with throughout the year. It was very hands-on from the start. The pace was fast, but it was exciting and it felt like a completely different way of learning.
My family was really supportive when I decided to move into social work. My wife was the one who found Approach Social Work and suggested it to me. She knew it would suit the way I learn and the kind of work I wanted to do.
After completing the programme, I joined a duty and assessment team in Manchester. My role was to respond to referrals, assess families’ situations and decide what support was needed. The job involved a bit of everything: working directly with all kinds of young people and their families, including some of the most serious child protection cases. No two days were ever the same and that’s something I enjoyed.
After about 18 months in that role, I started to reflect on the cases I was seeing. I noticed that more of the children I worked with were struggling with their mental health. That became something I was really interested in.
I ended up applying for a role in a CAMHS (Child and Adolescent Mental Health Services) team in Manchester, which was something I hadn’t even realised was possible as a social worker.
Today, I work in a specialist service supporting looked-after children with some of the most complex mental health needs. I work intensively with a small number of young people and also support their care homes with training and guidance. It’s challenging work, but it’s incredibly rewarding.
Some of the most defining moments in my career have been when you see a young person begin to turn a corner. One example that really stayed with me was a young person I worked with for over two years. When we first met, she was in an inpatient setting and really struggling. Over time, with support and therapy, she was able to move forward, find stability and eventually get a job. Seeing that kind of progress is something you never forget.
What I didn’t realise when I first joined social work is just how many different paths the career can take. From frontline practice to leadership or specialist roles, there are so many opportunities to develop and move in different directions.
For me, Approach Social Work worked best as my introduction to social work, because it was practical and immersive. It allowed me to learn by doing, which is how I work best.
Social work has been an incredible journey. And the best thing about it is that the journey never really stops: there are always new ways to grow and new ways to make a difference for children.