THE HARDEST JOB IN AUSTRALIA

By Mickey Skidmore, AMHSW, ACSW, FAASW

In my practice experience in Australia (14 years now), I have had numerous therapy clients describe a range work-related issues that contribute to and often exacerbate their individual stress and presenting circumstances. Likewise, several clients I have engaged in supervision with have lamented about a range of structural and systemic issues that also contributes to undesirable vocational experiences. Regardless of whether these depictions come from therapy or supervision clients, they underscore issues that include (but are not limited to): erratic, disorganised and inefficient bureaucracies; inconsistent adherence to their own policies/procedures; hypocrisy, fraud, toxic and hostile work environments; and corruption just to name a few. While far from a scientific sample or process, this has guided and informed my overall conclusion that the work culture in Australia is at its core — would seem to be dysfunctional.

The contrast of my experience of Social Work practice in the United States compared to Australia does not detract from my broad overview of work environments mentioned above, but if anything highlights even further dynamics that underscore Social Work practice in Australia. I had been a practicing Clinical Social Worker for 25 years before coming to Australia, yet when I identified myself accordingly in Australia, people looked at me like I had three heads. They simply did not grasp the concept of a “Clinical Social Worker” (which even to this day is not yet fully clear or articulated well).  In the US, the skill set is highly valued, often preferred over other professions and sought out in the work place. Whereas in Australia there is a pervasive and alarming lack of agreement or understanding of what the Social Work profession entails.

For instance, their is a lack of consensus within its own Membership (AASW) regarding the relevance or need to register Social Workers or the Social Work title. Moreover, there is a pervasive and suffocating, (not to mention incorrect) attitude across Australian society that only Psychologist are qualified to provide counselling. This contributes to a bureaucratic view that Social Worker’s do not have the “authority” to diagnose (i.e. mental disorders) or even refer to specialists (when it is clearly beyond the scope of SW practice and would benefit the client). Consider the fluffy, nonsensical language that is often used: to provide “supports” or to “look after” someone. What does such language actually mean anyway? And why are we okay with this? The Social Work profession specifically and the public in general would be better served if more precise and unambiguous language was developed and implemented when defining the parameters of Social Work practice in Australia.

Beyond this, my experience for most of the allied health/medical community does not have a clear view or understanding of what Social Workers actually do. Perhaps more disturbing is that many of them are not genuinely interested in hearing or learning the answer to this either. Too often within medical settings in particular, anything that does not clearly fall into the domain of the medical model (medicine), often gets relegated (i.e. “dumped” on) to Social Workers — whether is even remotely related to Social Work or not — with little regard to whether this is an appropriate referral or not.

Recently I received a phone call from someone professing to “need a Social Worker” — for a range of issues, including: housing and receiving treatment for undisclosed health issues. The caller emphasised initially a need for alternate accommodation. She related that she did not meet the criteria to be eligible for Dept of Housing (DOH) assistance. If she did not meet the criteria for DOH eligibility, this suggests that she had some (financial) means available to her. This is but one intersection of the vague uncertainty of Social Work services. In general, housing or accommodation is typically and best addressed by family, friends or real estate agents, and for the unfortunate and disadvantaged — the DOH — a dedicated governmental organisation devoted exclusively to this issue. It is an understandable (and probably advantageous) role for Social Workers to aid marginalised individuals to navigate a bureaucratic and dysfunctional system in this regard. Yet, over time, in Australia the expectation of Social Workers in finding accommodation seems to be increasing. Rather than seeing the role of Social Work being largely about advocating at the policy level to make DOH more accessible to disenfranchised people; the left-handed compliment in this distorted (and complex) view is that growing numbers of people also are adopting the belief that Social Workers can do almost anything. Believe me. Trust me. They can not.

When I ask my Social Work students what drew them to this profession, they often site wanting to “help people.” Far too many international students I fear have been conned into what they think is a quick pathway toward permanent residency. Yet when they face the riggers of Social Work education and preparation for Social Work practice, they often find themselves overwhelmed, and wondering what they have gotten themselves into. It is difficult to cultivate concepts of critical thinking and reflection and a cluster of core skills that they are confident to employ in two short years. Thus, many succumb to a mindset where they feel they are not doing their job or being Social Workers if they do not refer or link clients to some resource — even when it may not be necessary or even appropriate. Another growing concern would be when such students are not confident enough in their own skills, ability or critical thinking; they resort to reliance on AI (more on this next month).

Perhaps these observations may not be seen as significant or noteworthy to some. However, in the course of typical Social Work practice it is not uncommon to encounter, abuse, trauma, corruption, questionable or even immoral ethics — with clients in desperate need of connection, respect and guidance in navigating such challenges. Yet when Social Workers encounter similar dynamics within their organisations for doing their job the relevance of this article becomes more evident. I often relate to my students that if you do the one primary thing we train you to do (advocate for your clients) — you are likely to not be well liked or accepted by your colleagues (as you are the one always “stirring the pot” or “shining a light” on disenfranchisement).

Personally, I have been known to refer to myself with certain colleagues as a surviving refugee of the NSW Health (employment) services. I was abused, alienated, blacklisted, disrespected — simply for adhering to a professional standard I had always held. They sent a message loudly, clearly and repeatedly that they were not interested in my leadership which resulted in their “transforming my experience” in a twisted and profound way.

Thankfully, those days are well in my rear view mirror. But for these and many other reasons, I feel like I can make a persuasive argument, that practicing Social Work may well be the most difficult job in Australia.