Perhaps one of the most attractive aspects of adopting the role of social worker as your life’s profession, in addition to the innumerable rewards that come along with the job, of course, are the many opportunities for progressing and developing your career further.

Social care exists in a variety of private, public, and voluntary organisations and the possibilities for expanding your horizons or simply finding that one area of care to specialise in is immense.

Perhaps you have a fondness for working with and helping the elderly, in which case receiving additional training and education on matters such as dementia or coping with the transition of moving from home to some type of service setting would be ideal scenario.

If your skills are more suited for working with the disadvantaged or troubled youth, opportunities abound for employment at children’s centres, children and families social services.

I am developing a pre qualifying coaching program for social workers at www.SocialWorkSkills.net, please contact me for more information.

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Gradle

CNN reports that Median pay for soical workers is $43,200 and that 72 percent of social workers report their job to be stressfull

By Jessica Dickler from CNN states “Social workers step in when everyone else steps aside to help people and families in vulnerable situations. They provide patients with education and counseling, advise care givers and make referrals for other services. And with social workers in short supply and programs underfunded, few must juggle the work of many, while reaping little reward.

Just ask Heather Griffith, a social worker who works with children in intensive foster care in Boston: “You’re getting paid $12 an hour and kids are screaming at you, telling you that you are just in it for the money and you’re just like, really?”

This is just one perspective and not all social workers feel this way, but it is good to know that the conversation is going on but we need to be coming up with answers for ourselves as to how we can take care of ourselves.

What do you think?

After a long time searching and testing I have managed to put audio on all of my blog posts. I am really proud that I have been able to achieve this. My next challenge is to get my posts translated with an appropriate signing widget. Any ideas anyone?

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Gradle

If you thought that as a social worker you could not see the world whilst doing the job you love, you might want to think again. Social work is a vocational career and many countries find it hard to recruit and retain workers. There has been a big increase in organizations in countries like Britain offering recruitment opportunities to social workers from all over the world. This is beneficial to you and you can obtain lots of advantages from either going it alone or being recruited by a company. However some advanced research and firm planning is essential

Things to think about and look out for:

• Find out about the country you wish to travel to and the legislation and laws. This can be done on the internet or by making applications directly to organization who will send job documentation which includes vital information about the locality

• Find a good company who is recruiting staff on behalf of organization in other countries. Visit trade fairs and look through professional magazines and of course search on line

• Organise your self before leaving: Make a plan about what you will have to sort out before you go and also ensure that things will be OK whilst you are away. This might include preparing family and friends, renting out your accommodation, setting up financial

• Get legal advice on any contracts that are being suggested and do not sign up for long term contracts unless you are fully aware of your rights

Finally take care of yourself and ensure you know where to get good stress relieving support as a member of a caring profession in any country you choose to work in.

Visit www.myworkplacewellbeing.net

No Stress – Top 10 Tips
From Leading Life Coach, Rasheed Ogunlaru

I recently received an email I opened from someone desperate for my help to help them reduce the level stress in his life. They are not alone; countless people I meet have busy lives and minds. Whether you’re a manager at a multi-national who rarely sees the daylight or a mother at home who barely gets to sleep, there’ll be natural pressures in life that will arise – but very often we overcomplicate our home and working lives. However some simple steps will help you reduce your stress.

1. Know what’s important: keep your eye on your goal not the crowd – otherwise you’ll become overwhelmed and distracted. Start by asking yourself what’s most important to you in life, at work and in your relationships. Knowing this will keep you balanced and will help you keep all aspects of your life in perspective.

2. Keep it neat & tidy: Our environment plays a major part in our sense of control. Keep a clear desk and a tidy home – these things often reflect your state of mind. Start and end the day with a clear slate and a clear space wherever you can – it helps hugely.

3. Avoid conflict, gossip and arguments: These things take up a huge amount of energy which we store as an inner pressure in or bodies for hours, days even years. Smile, let go and walk on by.

4. Get out more: over my years in the workplace I’ve noticed we take shorter breaks, skip lunch and stay cooped up for too long. Take regular breaks, book your holidays, put in your time and go for walks. We are part of nature a stroll in the park, by the stream and even a walk round the block. Being in nature is a key part of our nature.

5. Get support: Whether you’re busy running a team and / or raising kids you can’t do it all by yourself. Know when to delegate, articulate and when to get help. The life you seek is largely shaped by company you keep. Avoid negative people and make room for the positive ones. Ensure that friends, families and family are on board otherwise reduce the time and energy you spend on them to that which is healthy for all.

6. Stop projecting, reflecting and protesting: Much stress is brought on by us wanting things to be other than how they are. The past is dead, the future unborn. Happiness and progress emerge by accepting yourself, others and circumstances as they are right now.

7. Less is more: Reduce the time you send watching TV, Online. This will give your time to be, breathe, be creative and become re-energised. If you write action list keep them to a maximum of 3 things per day this will force you to do what’s most important. Set shorter times for meetings and emails this helps everybody.

8. Listen to your body not everybody: If you listen your body will tell you when it’s time to work, rest, eat, sleep. Sometimes stress is telling you to take time out and to get yourself back in balance. The route of the word dis-ease is exactly what happens when we stop listening to ourselves.

9. Be thankful for what you’ve got: There’s much wisdom in the title of this ’70s song. The more you appreciate what you have the less pressure and stress you’ll feel and the more resourceful you become.

10. Be present: When pressure and stress does arrive be present and alert. The positive side of such situations is that we often produce our best work, creativity and grow and develop by responding to lives challenges – wisely and calmly – as they arise.
Funnily enough we feel that stress is something that happens to us brought on by the world outside. Whilst many life events are beyond our control our relationship to them is within our gift. The more mindful you are of what you’re goals are, what’s realistic, gaining support, caring, sharing, keeping life simple and enjoying it, the more it will move from stress to progress and happiness.

Help at hand: If you suffer from stress or want to simply relax and chill then download my  FREE 10minuite relaxation meditation available on the resources page of his website http://www.rasaru.com

Rasheed Ogunlaru is a life coach, speaker and business/corporate coach. He is also author of The Gift of Inner Success. For more info visit http://www.rasaru.com

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