Introducing Yemi Bakare
Yemi is a qualified Social Worker in the Adult Social Care team since 2018. She is part of the Integrated Discharged Team (IDT) based in Hospitals.
Part of her duties involve managing, monitoring and reviewing care plans involving service users and carers. She is also responsible for reviewing NCL referrals to determine whether clients are appropriate for the service and making recommendations that contribute immensely towards client wellbeing. Therefore, having good communication and interpersonal skills is essential to liaise with other multidisciplinary teams as appropriate.
Yemi also provides advice and reassurance to the client and their families, in a fast-paced environment. Therefore, it is crucial to prioritise her case work, and have good communication skills.
The role of an adult social worker is a noble one, however it does have its challenges because it can be demanding both emotionally and physically, for example, working long hours in a fast-paced environment.
What inspired you to get into your job?
I have always been passionate about making a positive impact in people's lives. This is due to my empathetic and caring nature helping vulnerable people through formal and informal support. My experience has motivated me to pursue a career in social work where I can make a meaningful difference. The field of social work has allowed me to combine my empathy, communication skills, and commitment to social justice in making a positive difference to people’s life.
How does a typical workday morning start for you?
My typical workday morning starts with reviewing any urgent cases or updates from the previous day. I prioritise tasks based on their urgency and importance. I might begin with attending the daily meetings with the health professionals to discuss and gather information on patients that are deemed medically optimised for discharge. This is to avoid delay discharges and prioritising the patient to be discharged in a timely manner. Additionally, I make sure that my schedule is organised for client/family meetings and administrative responsibilities.
Teamwork is an essential component of this role and requires a lot of collaboration, with multidisciplinary teams and multiagency teams both internal and external agencies such as Enfield Council Housing team, Enfield Carers Centre, care agencies, charity organisations, AGE UK, Redcross and Alpha care to make sure of a smooth and safe transition/discharge of clients from hospital back into the community.
What advice would you have liked to have had about your profession if you were just starting out now?
One piece of advice I would give to someone starting in this profession is to prioritise self-care. Social work can be emotionally demanding, and it is crucial to establish healthy boundaries to prevent burnout. Seek supervision and peer support regularly, and never hesitate to ask for help when needed. Also, stay updated on the latest research, interventions, and resources to enhance your practice continually.
What is the highlight of your role so far, and what has been your biggest learning to date?
The highlight of my role has been witnessing the positive impact of my interventions on individuals and families. Whether it's connecting someone with community resources, facilitating communication between healthcare providers and patients, or advocating for vulnerable populations – seeing tangible improvements in people's lives is incredibly rewarding. My biggest learning has been the importance of adaptability and collaboration. Every case is unique, requiring a flexible and collaborative approach to meet the diverse needs of patients and their families.
What are your future professional aspirations?
In the future, I aspire to continue advancing my expertise in hospital-based social work. Additionally, I aim to contribute to policy development and systemic changes that address social determinants of health, advocating for improved services and support for vulnerable populations in social care settings. Ongoing professional development and staying informed about emerging trends in social work will be essential for achieving these goals.
Yemi’s future aspiration is to continue to aspire and excel as a Senior Practitioner, to continuously keep up to date with professional development, in-order for her to meet the needs of clients and to make sure that she maximises her full potential as social worker.