The University of Guyana, the Guyana Association of Professional Social Workers, the Ministry of Social Protection and UNICEF collaborated on an Inaugural Conference for Professional Social Workers in Guyana on 20 , 21 July 2016. The theme of the conference is “Standards for Professional Social Work Practice”. I participated on a panel discussion with Karen De Souza, Co-ordinator of Red Thread, and Rev Patricia Sheerattan of Guyana Responsible Parenthood Association. The conference organisers felt that this panel was important at the beginning go guide the conference in the reflection on social work practice.

1. “Examining practice: perspectives from partners &
advocates”
Inaugural Conference for Professional Social Workers in Guyana
Georgetown, Guyana
20 July 2016
Vidyaratha Kissoon
Email vidyak1@gmail.com
(edited after the presentation)

2. Thanks
Thanks to the organisers for
including me on the panel. This has
happened even as I have been
involved in the protests to call for
the removal of the Minister of Social
Protection.

3. Interaction with social work

Advocacy for gender equality (prevention of gender based violence
including domestic violence and sexual violence), child protection and
equality for lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender citizens

Trained by social workers; trained with social workers and I have trained
social workers

Some of the activities
 2000 and after : CAFRA Frontline Workers training on Domestic Violence
 2009 : Workshop with Dr Janice Jackson at ACSWE Conference titled Gender,
Sexuality and Social Work Education in the 21st Century Caribbean and the
Scholarship of Teaching”
 2014 – HIV in the Cities project (New Amsterdam, Linden)
 Other presentations, workshops and awareness activities with social workers and
social work students

4. The challenge
Why do social workers make victims feel like
they are perpetrators?
(Question asked at Central SDA Church session on child abuse prevention)
“The stories are horrible, sometimes I go home
and have to tek a drink” (young social worker, now working
elsewhere)
“Get a wuk” (two instances of social workers talking to people in crisis)
“Probation afficah mek we up an suh but still he beating me.. “ (Woman in
abusive relationship )

5. The challenge

High expectations
 Intense violence in all spheres of society, “Where are all the University graduates in Social
Work?
 Social work vs counselling, and the expectation for counselling
 New problems, new dynamics creating different kinds of crises

Systemic problems (lack of proper alternative care facilities for children, no
affordable housing, lack of appropriate jobs, slow justice system, lack of rehab
facilities and support for mental health and other health care )

A culture of a lack of empathy which influences the social work practice– ,
 Homophobia , prejudices which cloud delivery of care

Social workers seen as enforcers of law rather than helpers
 Women in abusive relationships who are charged for child neglect and abuse
 TIP women who are 'rescued' then charged as criminals

6. Empathy as a standard

(via Dr Brené Brown )

“Empathy is not standing outside of the
dark pit and throwing down slender ropes
to pull out people who cannot find their
way out. Empathy is coming down in the
dark pit, saying ‘you are not alone’ , and
“let us see how we could work our way out
together.”

7. Other standards ...

I would like to see standards which develop these qualities. In my experience, helpful
social workers tend to : -
 Be accountable to the people who seek their help
 Resolve conflicts in values,
 Learn and appreciate human diversity – religion, economic status, place of origin, race, gender
and diversity in gender identity and sexual orientation
 Advocate for 'clients' - “Let us see what work is available.. '
 Engage in self care , debriefing in structured ways , acknowledge vulnerability as a resource
rather than a weakness, deal with burn out
 Seek ongoing training and professional development
 Specialise (medical, children, persons with special needs, elderly, rehabilitation of prisoners etc)
with appropriate training and evaluation
 Engage in research, reflection
 Participate in changing some of the systemic issues which create the problems (social workers
are revolutionaries??

8. Thank you..
vidyak1@gmail.com