Special day ahead for social workers

Pukekohe social worker Keely Merrett said it was ‘‘seeing the progress of the kids and seeing them happier,’’ that was the most rewarding part of her job.

Merrett is one of around 1400 Child, Youth and Family social workers from across the country who will be celebrating National Social Workers’ Day on Wednesday, September 28.

After graduating with a master of social work from the University of Auckland in 2014, Merrett began working with some of Franklin’s most vulnerable children and families.

She said what kept her passionate were the changes she saw in a child.

‘‘When they are in a safe and stable home and worrying about their own safety is no longer at the forefront of their minds. We become involved when people are going through really tough times; when they hit rock bottom,’’ she said.

‘‘You are working with some of the rawest of human emotions - so to become a social worker you need to be resilient in order to support families.’’

One of her most challenging, but rewarding cases involved a high risk teenager who used drugs and alcohol, was running away and had no real family support.

With the help of others in the community, Merrett was able to get the young woman to a safe place until she could find a caring family member to live with.

‘‘This was a huge turning point in this girl’s life. I’ll never forget it; afterwards she gave me the biggest hug and said ‘thank you so much’.’’

Merrett , who grew up in the Franklin region, said she really enjoyed working so close to home.

‘‘Knowledge of the local community is really beneficial.’’

For National Social Workers’ Day, Child, Youth and Family is taking the opportunity to recog- nise and thank the social workers within the organisation and those who work with its partner nongovernment organisations.

Child, Youth and Family’s Auckland regional director Sharon Thom said being a social worker could be really demanding, working with com- plex situations every day.

‘‘National Social Workers’ Day provides an opportunity to reflect on the many ways our social workers make a difference in the lives of some of New Zealand’s most vulnerable children, young people and their families,’’ she said.