1. Robbie Deane Social Worker 2nd October 2018
Connecting Social Work practitioners and the local community: A collaborative approach
Robbie Deane
Social Worker
2nd October 2018

2. Identifying a community development project
Something About Me
Something about my PLO
Identifying a community development project
CD aims to build on relationships in the community by using community resources to help fulfil and meet the needs of those in the community
Key Frameworks include
Belfast Agreement NIO 1998,
A Healthier Future DHSSPS
Transforming your Care 2011
Community Development Strategy for Health & Wellbeing HSC Board & PHA 2012

3. Community work can perhaps best be described, first as a set of values and secondly as a set of techniques, skills and approaches which are linked to those values. The values are to do with justice, respect, democracy, love, empowering and “getting a better deal” for people who are in some way disadvantaged. It provides communities with the opportunity to challenge prejudices and discrimination and in doing so, helps provide support to those affected by these prejudices and discrimination.”
Twelvetrees (2002)
According to Bennett, Community Development is based on collaboratively working with agencies and being proactive in providing services (1986 cited in O’Neill 2012).

4. Preparation & Planning
My aim was to bring a range of groups working in the community together for the purpose of sharing information with different social work teams who worked with young people in THE SAME AREA.
Where would I hold this event?
Extended the invitation to social work colleagues in LAC, Gateway, FIT & 16+ Teams

6. ONE THING I Knew!!!!!

8. The event

9. Feedback & Evaluation

10. Why did you feel it was important to attend?
“To widen and promote services and answer any queries from social work staff. To discuss issues with social workers and determine their priorities”.
Foyle Women’s Aid
“An excellent opportunity for networking and familiarising staff with local services. It is always beneficial for any worker to be able to put a friendly face and an organisation together”.
NSPCC
“This was very important and needed! You can never have enough of these events. People need to be aware of what organisations exist within their own community and how they can access them. SWs need to be kept informed and up to date”.
HURT(Have your Tomorrows) Drug & Alcohol

11. Did you find the event beneficial?
“Very….Hopefully it will generate referrals for all the services that attended today’s event. Great to learn about other services available in the local area”.
NSPCC
“The event provided an opportunity to interact with SW staff and other voluntary services. It also provided an opportunity to raise awareness of what our own organisation offered in terms of services”.
Foyle Women’s Aid
“It was excellent!! Whoever thought of it should be given a raise!! The students and staff that approached my stand were genuinely interested and asked very relevant questions I relation to working with service users…e.g. what the tell tale signs would be of something using drugs and questions around the different drug related paraphernalia I had on display”.
HURT

12. How do you think the event could be improved?
“Maybe a bigger room with more chairs. And more parking spaces!! Cream buns were unbelievable to be fair!”
HURT
“It could be expanded and organised on a regular basis. I feel this would be hugely beneficial to everyone involved”. Foyle Women’s Aid
“It was very well run….my only lingering thought is that it is a real pity that events like this are not held or run on a mire regular basis….which is a shame”.
NSPCC

13. SO…. On Reflection!! What were the potential outcomes for;
Social Workers that attended?
For the Agencies that took part
For Service Users?
For ME?

14. And finally……….

15. You can’t beat a Cream BUN!