VIDEO: A day in the life of a West Sussex social worker

A new video provides an insight into a day in the life of a West Sussex social worker.

The short film follows 26-year-old Abby Lonsdale, a social worker in the learning disabilities team at West Sussex County Council.

It is the first in a series of films called ‘Real Social Work: Making the difference in West Sussex’ which will highlight the job social workers do in the county.

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The video can be viewed within this story and also on West Sussex County Council’s YouTube page.

The new video was launched during a visit to West Sussex by the chief social worker for England, Lyn Romeo. She met social workers in Horsham on Thursday and praised their “positive energy”.

The film shows Abby meeting with Jackie, who has learning disabilities, and carrying out an assessment to help establish the right support that she needs to live the life she wants.

Abby, who is one of over 250 social workers in adults’ services at the county council, said: “It was good fun being filmed and I hope it gives people the chance to see what social workers do.

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“I like being a social worker because I enjoy supporting people. It isn’t always easy but it is an important and necessary job. Just because something is hard doesn’t mean you shouldn’t do it.

People do have a perception of social work as having lots of paperwork and bureaucracy. It can be like that sometimes but it is a great feeling when you know you have helped someone.”

Peter Catchpole, West Sussex County Council’s cabinet member for adult social care and health, said: “Abby is one of our many dedicated social workers and I am really pleased she is using her own experience to show others what social work is all about in this video.

“Social work is a difficult and complex job but extremely rewarding, Social workers are motivated and committed, and every day they help to support some of the most vulnerable people in our society.”

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The County Council is currently recruiting for people to join the adult social care team. If you want to know more about a career in social care see www.westsussex.gov.uk/jobs/job-search or email [email protected].

For more information see www.westsussex.gov.uk/campaigns/real-social-work-a-day-in-the-life-of-a-social-worker.

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