THE CREATIVE SOCIAL WORKER.

Can you mix your creative passion with your social work career. The answer is yes you can. I did it, and continue to do it very well. First of all, all I know is that there are many dimensions to me that do not just limit me in being a social worker. I think COVID-19 brought this out a lot more. Spending a lot more time at home, having the flexibility to tap into my creative side and make something out of nothing are all ways in which I remain in touch with my creativity and allow my mind to explore.

I remember being out in the field as a frontline social worker and one thing I loved was doing 1:1 ‘real’ direct work with the children. I remember my experience studying as a child counsellor and the discipline I used was the ‘arts’. I learnt how to use the sand tray, action figures, drama and art therapy to draw out some difficult experiences children had been through. Using ‘the arts’ was such a powerful way to help children speak out and process their emotions. Over the years, I have found that in order to relate to children, you need to speak to them in a language that they understand. Now I know that our intervention as social workers can be brief, so building that relationship may require more time and commitment, however being creative with 1:1 direct work just needs you to put a little more thought into what you would like to achieve. Here are some tips that I have found useful for doing 1:1 direct work with children using the arts.

Art Therapy (painting & drawing): Children can use art materials to express feelings that may be difficult to articulate. This can be particularly helpful for those who have experienced trauma or who struggle with verbal communication.

Clay Modelling: This is one of my favourites as working with clay can be a calming and grounding activity, which allows children to physically shape their feelings and experiences. Some of my most powerful conversations have been because of this.

Drama Therapy (Role Play): Acting out scenarios can help children explore their feelings and behaviours in a safe environment. It allows them to see different perspectives and practice social skills.

Storytelling: This is another good one as encouraging children to tell stories, whether real or imagined, can help them process their experiences and emotions.

Whether you’re new to using the arts or experienced, there are so many benefits of doing so within direct work. It encourages expression, as children may find it easier to express themselves through creative means rather than verbal communication. The arts also help to build confidence as it allows children to boost their self-esteem and feel a sense of accomplishment. It improves emotional regulation, and most importantly can facilitate trauma processing. Lastly, it can provide a non-threatening way to explore difficult experiences and emotions, making it easier to process trauma.

If you have found this useful, please do give it a try and let me know some of your experiences!