This is a little project I've been working on for awhile, it's a work in progress so I know there are grammar mistakes and it doesn't quite flow yet. I'm writing about an aspect of social work that I thought was common until I had the opportunity to speak with classmates about some of their experiences. One of the BEST things about this MSW program for me is the varied experiences everyone brings to the table. Folks have also asked about what I'm interested in if I'm not interested in therapy, working with families, or doing a lot of direct practice (even thought I LOVE direct practice as you'll see). I want to lead a team from the front, I want to train them to be the best they can be, to give them the tools they need, and to see everyone go home at the end of the night. I've seen co workers get assaulted, I have been assaulted, My team has gotten threats of every kind, yet we're still here.
Sheepdog
A sheepdog is not a wolf. A sheepdog is not a predator. A sheepdog keeps the flock calm, and watches over it. A sheepdog is a source of strength, support, and comfort for the sheep, who rest easy because they know they have a protector. A sheepdog is loyal, caring, and will die defending the sheep. A sheepdog is also vigilant, and at a moment’s notice, unequivocally fierce, vicious, and determined. A sheepdog must be willing to face the wolves without fear or hesitation, or serious injury or death can occur. They do not seek danger, but rather are there when needed, when the danger is greatest. A sheepdog can fight with wolves in one minute, and come back and resume their duties in the blink of an eye.
A lot of people have asked me why I augment/supplement my social work training with defensive mindset/defensive tactics/defensive training. According to Meyers Briggs I am an ENFJ, guardian protector. So my natural inclination is not so much of an outspoken advocate, but more of a silent guardian/watchful protector (yes that was a batman joke). I've always seen myself as someone who sits back and watches, until the need arises, when people are going to need someone who can be both a helper and a scapegoat. If the team dynamics requires someone to be the “bad guy” I have no problem taking on that role. It's not just about personal safety, it's also about the clients, the everyone in the space, and the combination of all these factors. Maintaining awareness at all times and a constant state of readiness. The majority of the clients in the space are well meaning, however there are always that minority that are waiting for a lapse in concentration or awareness. They are waiting for staff to lower their guard so they can conduct their business.
I've been in the social work field for about 6 years now, the majority of them have been in shelters for youth 18-24. My responsibilities included all the standard social work stuff, support, working with clients, helping them get basic needs met, maintaining a clinical basis and harm reduction model. I consider bad situations the 1%. 99% of the time there is no danger, you’re applying your skills, and working with clients in a traditional sense. Then there is the 1%. The 1% of the time when you need to cross that line and move into damage control/crowd control/crisis intervention. When the yelling starts, and the screaming, the fighting, the chaos. So why train so hard on that 1%? Because that is the 1% you cannot get wrong. If you haven’t trained for that situation, it might not just be you that gets injured or clients, but your teammates. Someone who has their back turned to you because they believe you’re doing your part, covering them during a crisis so they can do their job.
Threat identification, threat assessment, threat neutralization. This could be as simple as seeing a client in a situation where they could be a danger to themselves or others (threat identification), figuring out what they need, counseling, space, a time out ( threat assessment) and finally finalizing that plan and getting their needs met and maintaining safety of the others (threat neutralization)
I once had an ex coworker who did not inform me of some important information ( clients who were preparing to fight outside). He did not tell me, and when I attempted to contain the situation, he simply sat back and was on his phone. I had no support and there were only 2 of us on shift. Luckily the intern happened to be there that night and she assisted me. However I still had to do both incident reports and counsel clients about the triggering that occurs during violent incidents, as well as the vicarious trauma that can occur in the milieu. Needless to say that’s part of why I always stress that team dynamics and a good defensive mindset are crucial to time-is-life situations.
My team had to be ready for anything, and anything included physical and verbal altercations , plumbing issues, suicide attempts, watching for drug transactions, identifying potentially dangerous situations, keeping in mind who was in the space, what the dynamics of the clients were, who had beef with you, gathering intelligence about things that were going to go down, dealing with police fire medical, incident reports, enforcing all shelter/ agency policy, all the while maintaining social work standards and ethics with an emphasis on harm reduction.
I remember being in the dorm area patrolling after lights out. It is dark, I'm doing dorm checks for 40 clients by myself. All of a sudden I hear yelling from the bathroom. I run in and a client is having suicidal ideation and banging their head on the bathroom stall. Our intern at the time was first on scene and she looked terrified. I immediately put myself between the client and the intern and I told her to call for staff backup. I switched out because I felt she could not handle the situation, and during the debrief I was told by the intern that I was correct. My first instinct is to protect, and although my manager told me that was the wrong move and that I should not have done that, the sight of a frightened intern instantly flipped a switch and the authoritative, emergency crisis intervention Justin came out. I gave directives decisively, and with no hesitation. I might have come off as aggressive or harsh, but to me the priorities were safety of the client who has in crisis, safety of my teammates, and safety of the 39 other clients.When seconds count, the police are only minutes away. My team had to contain the situation and ensure safety for everyone.
This was where I felt comfortable. Maybe it's the adrenaline rush, and honestly if my social work career doesn't go the way I want I will try and become a first responder (emt/ fire department) The client was causing quite a disturbance, and other clients were triggered. In addition to handling the client, we had to have time with clients to decompress, make sure they felt safe. One client said "I'm glad you were here" and that made me feel justified in my actions. I went from aggressive problem solver to empathetic counselor in a split second.
Everyone has their own experiences and views on what social work is. I’m in school to expand my horizons, because I know there is more to social work than my experiences. However I find it helpful for people to be able to say a bit about them, maybe people will get to understand me a bit better, and know why I have such a “boots 2 asses” view of social work. The sheep may hate the dog for barking at them, and may be frightened by what the sheepdog must do to the wolves, but sometimes the 1% happens, will you be ready?
Last minute tips:
When calling 911, it helps to have your unused ear (the one not up against the phone) toward the threat/situation. That way you can hear things as they progress and update dispatch accordingly
Always be closet to the door. That way in case a situation becomes too much to handle individually, you can make a hasty exit or call for help.
Always move into "known space" this means if you need to move in a certain direction, look first.
When dialing/looking at things, keep your phone up in front of your face, that way you can keep your eyes on the situation and visually keep track of the situation as it progresses.
