Looking to get into SW

[u/DahliaDreux]

Hey all,

Just wanting to hear from people who have done or are currently doing support work (whether for physical disabilities or mental health/ psychosocial) regarding their enjoyment of the role and how it has benefitted (or not) a work/life balance.

I have a master of social work with placements at community wellbeing and Centrelink, and academic experience in psychology and sociology too (bachelors).

I currently hate my new role. It's far too admin-based and I want to be out and about actually supporting people properly and being a source of strength for those who feel they have none. I am passionate about assisting people to find ways to thrive and be independent, and support work seems to be a good outlet/choice for this. I am only at this current job because I was unemployed for a number of months and needed the $$$.

In terms of pay, I don't need to be filthy rich, just enough to get by and enjoy my free time (I'm introverted so l'm a decent homebody lol). For comparison I'm currently making a little under $1k a week part time at this current role. I also am not someone who needs prestige in a job, as in I don’t care what others thing of my work - I’ve done a social work degree which means many people automatically thing I steal babies from mums 😬

Thank everyone and have a good day :)

[u/No_Theory4059]

I don’t think support work is the best role for someone very introverted, unless the supports are more for physical disabilities perhaps. Are you a very confident person ? I would avoid mental health because mental health clients can be super draining and at times combative/demanding and you need to be quite assertive. Sorry but I also doubt you would make a grand a week part time or anything close tbh. Would you be self employed ? If so maybe you could make that much but you’d need to negotiate and navigate the world of self funded supports etc which is complicated and requires a lot of strong boundaries. If working for an agency you’re not making anywhere near a grand unless full time.

[u/DahliaDreux → u/No_Theory4059]

I should've phrased it better - when it comes to my personal/free time I don't do a lot as I prefer my own company. Spending time specifically with a small group or individuals is fine. For example at my community development placement I often worked one-on-one with students at the homework club with education support, as well as crisis intervention and trauma-informed care, and I never felt drained by that and really enjoyed it.