What Social Workers Actually Do (And When Families Need Them)

Description

What actually happens when social services get involved? And what do social workers really do? In this episode, Nat is joined by Nessa (Vanessa Sibanda), an Advanced Practitioner Social Worker with over nine years’ experience in Children’s Social Care and safeguarding. Together, they unpack what social work actually is, when and why social services may become involved in a family’s life, and how people can access support before situations escalate. They also explore the cultural nuances that are often lost in translation, particularly within African households, including child chastisement & more. They also touch on existing informal fostering, kinship care, and community-based child raising practices that may be misunderstood by the system. This is an honest, eye-opening conversation about representation in social work, breaking down misconceptions, and helping listeners understand the role social workers play in protecting children, supporting families, and navigating complex situations with care and compassion. Whether you’ve ever wondered what triggers social services involvement, considered becoming a social worker, or simply want to better understand how the system works, this episode gently demystifies it all. (6:28) - comments from previous episodes (12:28) What led Nessa to a career in social work (19:00) What triggers social services intervention (25:58) Cultural clashes (31:10) Children being seen and heard (and not just seen) (39:52) Self-referring to social services (41:20) Are Zimbabwean-born Social Workers in the UK more inclined to exhaust all options before removing the child from their family (45:40) Existing informal adoption & fostering practices in African households (56:00) Importance of representation in social work (58:40) How to become a social worker & more! ---------------------- Connect with Nessa: https://www.instagram.com/nessaness_x?igsh=MXA0bGRva3BjOXBmMw%3D%3D Brunch & Bantu Knots Podcast: https://www.instagram.com/brunchandbantu?igsh=MWduMDJtMDVmY2Vv ---------- Chat Wit