Celebrating World Social Work Day (March 17)
The theme for this year is ‘Co-Building Hope and Harmony: A Harambee Call to Unite a Divided Society’, which highlights the vital role of social work in bringing people together across communities, cultures, and systems to shape a more inclusive and sustainable tomorrow. It is both a reminder and a challenge: that the only sustainable way forward is through cooperation, solidarity, and co-creation.
The International Federation of Social Workers says: at its heart, social work is a profession rooted in the values of human dignity, social justice, and community participation. These values affirm that no society can thrive when its people are divided or excluded. The theme therefore underscores the urgent need to restore trust and to rebuild bonds of belonging, in fractured communities.
To reflect these values, we’re sharing a couple of insights from two of our social workers – Anne Vu (Senior Social Worker) and Jessica Moore (Social Worker.
A Day in the Life of a TCP Social Worker – Anne Vu (Senior Social Worker)
No two days in TCP ever look the same, and that is part of the fun. My day usually starts with checking in on new admissions and catching up with the multidisciplinary team to see who might need a little extra support. From there, it is a mix of meeting clients and families, completing psychosocial or risk assessments, and helping people make sense of what the next stage of their care journey might look like.
Despite being a more introverted person, I spend a lot of time talking through discharge plans, exploring options, and gently problem-solving barriers, whether that is around support at home, accommodation, or decision-making. Some conversations are practical and task-focused, others are about reassurance, listening, and helping people adjust to big life changes.
In between, there are phone calls, documentation, case discussions, and the occasional urgent issue that keeps things interesting.
At its core, my role in TCP is about supporting people during a short but important transition period, helping them feel informed, heard, and as confident as possible about what comes next.
A day in the life of a TCC Social Worker – Jessica Moore (Social Worker)
From the rolling coastlines of Bunbury to the northern shores at Two Rocks, our Transitional Care Community social workers are the steady support that helps clients navigate some of life’s most challenging transitions and to join in the celebration of a return from hospitalisation. A typical day begins early with a strong cup of coffee and a quick team huddle to set priorities, we coordinate our visits, check in on client follow-ups, assist in applications for government funding and relay information to the wider team to ensure that all facets of support can be provided in the short 12 weeks we have to work with our clients.
Travel time is time with purpose – whether it’s driving between home visits or catching up with Support at Home providers. Once on the ground, our social worker meets with clients returned home from hospital, linking them with suitable funding accommodations for home modifications, assisting our brilliant team of Occupational Therapists and Physiotherapists to review and gain support and funding for safety and support needs, and helping them access essential services such as income support, mental health supports, or family services.
Each conversation is grounded in respect, active listening, and goal-setting that honours the client’s strengths and aspirations.
Alongside client work, there’s coordination with local agencies in the Bunbury, Perth, and Two Rocks regions, documentation of case notes, and advocating for resources to ensure continuity of care. No two days are the same, but the impact is always clear – stronger connections, safer transitions, and renewed hope for the people we serve.