Vol. 9, No. 1• November 2004
What Do Children Look for in Social Workers?
When agencies evaluate child welfare social workers, they seldom ask for input from children in foster care. There are very valid reasons why this isn’t done. Yet in some ways this is a missed opportunity. After all, no one has more of a stake in the performance of social workers than these kids. What’s more, many children in care are only too qualified to evaluate social worker performance: they have seen enough of them come and go to know what good social work looks like.
In an effort to draw on this untapped expertise and to celebrate the successes of North Carolina’s caring professionals, Fostering Perspectives’ latest writing contest asked kids in foster care if they ever had a social worker they really liked, and what made that person special.
Ashley Burley
Their responses were enlightening. In addition to telling us about some special people—including Sampson County DSS’s Ashley Burley, pictured above—the letters we received painted a clear picture of what children value in social workers, such as:
- Staying Power. Kids liked social workers who stuck by them and supported them year after year.
- Commitment to Family. Many praised social workers for keeping them connected with their siblings, birth parents, and extended family.
- Dedication. Kids valued workers whose actions showed them that they really matter to them.
- Connection. Children loved social workers who were accessible, approachable, and engaging. Some saw their workers as friends who appreciated them for who they were. Others loved their workers for being role models and counselors who helped them develop the skills they will need to succeed as adults.
If you spend time with kids in foster care, this list probably holds no surprises for you. After all, these are some of the things that children like about foster parents, too.
Still, we hope it is useful. Next time you evaluate yourself, think about your work in terms of the qualities that matter to children. As these young people have shown, your performance in these key areas can make a big difference.
—John McMahon, Editor
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I have been in [foster care] for five years and have had six social workers. The social worker that I’ve really liked is Ashley Burley. . . .She has gone way out of her way for me. She never doubted me. She encouraged me not to quit school. She helped me through my drug problem and has somehow always made me laugh or smile when I was crying or depressed.
And I just want to thank her for being the person she didn’t and doesn’t have to be. Some people say it’s her job. I say it’s not her job to find a babysitter for her son so she can come and pick me up at 10:30 or 11:30 at night. Mrs. Ashley has never given up on me. At first I wouldn’t talk to her about my personal life. I would just push her away. I find it hard to trust people.
In fact, she is one of three people I trust. And I trust her the most.
Tawni's letter took first prize, for which she was awarded $100
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Jaquette, age 17
Yes, I have had a social worker I really like and she is still my social worker at the moment. Her name is Linda Davis Buie, with Wake County Human Services in Raleigh, North Carolina.
She is so special to me because she does everything that she can to keep me happy. If there is anything that I need to talk about I can talk to her and feel a whole lot better. She is my encouragement, inspiration, and joy. With her being that, I know I can make it through life even though I’m only 17. I feel as though I am one of her own kids.
When she takes me to my biological family for a home visit she makes statements like, “Girl! You better give your grandma a hug. You ain’t seen her in a while!” I just sit there and smile.
If there is anything I want to participate in at school then she is willing to back me up 100% if she can. I only have four more months with her because I turn 18 on September 8th. But I’ll never forget her. She will always have a place in my heart!
Jaquette's letter took first prize, for which she was awarded $50
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Rachel, age 15
My social worker Cheryl Walker . . . . was special to me because even though our family was split up she kept my siblings and I close. We had regular visitations and we enjoyed each others’ presence.
But a few months before I turned 12 I got placed with the best family ever. They became my adoptive parents. So this letter goes to Cheryl for sending me to them.
And [thanks also] to my real parents. Without them giving me up, I would have never met Cheryl and I would have never met my new parents. Thanks, Cheryl, for helping me through that hard time and for being there for me and my family.
Thanks to my new parents for giving me a chance to show them who I was inside. Even though I had a few problems they still stood by my side and no matter what I said or did they did not send me to another foster home. They kept on loving me even when I would say I hated them out of anger. But no matter what I do they still continue to love me. I love my new parents more than anything in the world.
And my biggest thanks goes to Jesus for sending them my way and for helping me through those hard days. Without Jesus I could not have made it. “I once was lost but now I’m found. I was blind but now I see.”
Rachel's letter took first prize, for which she was awarded $25
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Courtney, age 18
I have had many social workers since I have been in the system. But the one I really like is the one that I have now. Her name is Carmelita Coleman . . . . Carmelita is special to me because she provided a lot for me, such as helping me get money to go to the prom this year. She also finds ways to keep me in the system and always gives good advice to me. Carmelita has been there when I needed her. She always came to check up on me when it was time for her to. Carmelita is the best social worker I have ever had in the system, and I have been in the system now for 18 years.
Courtney received $15 for having her letter published
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David, age 15
My social worker now is a good social worker. Her name is Sue Kirkman and I really like her. She has a good personality and she is sweet. She listens to me, even if she doesn’t agree with me. She might say, “Well, I don’t think so,” but when you’ve got some more to say about it, she still listens. . . .
My foster dad says Sue treats each kid she works with personally. . . . If I am having a problem, she doesn’t compare it to someone else, she will ask what happened and how did it start. She will talk to you calmly. Some of my old social workers would get a little attitude problem and talk to me all hyped up, which doesn’t help me calm down. To be honest, I do get a little hyped up myself sometimes, but I am working on it.
If I had a choice of a lineup of social workers, and you had visits with them to see how they were, I would pick Sue. I like Sue a lot.
David received $15 for having his letter published
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Andrea, age 13
I have been in foster care for about three years off and on. During that time, I have had very many social workers. All of my social workers have come and gone and the one I am with now I have never gotten to meet because I live in North Carolina and my social worker lives in Tennessee.
Even though I don’t have a favorite social worker, I do have a favorite Guardian ad Litem. His name is Bill. I like Bill because he has stayed with me through the good and the bad times of these three years. I really like Bill because a GAL mostly speaks for you in court. Bill lets me do my own speaking in court. I am really glad to have Bill with me. Bill is a good GAL and a good friend.
Andrea received $15 for having her letter published
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The preceding letters appeared in the printed version of this issue of Fostering Perspectives. To read more letters from children who are or have been in foster care, click here.
Copyright � 2004 Jordan Institute for Families
