National Social Work Month
March marks National Social Work Month, a time to recognize the dedication, compassion, and expertise of social workers everywhere. At Luke’s Place, we are incredibly fortunate to work alongside talented and committed social workers who support women and children navigating the family court system after experiencing intimate partner violence.
Their work is complex, emotionally demanding, and deeply impactful. To celebrate National Social Work Month, we sat down with one of our team members, Tanya (MSW, RSW), who is both a Family Court Support Worker and a Social Worker, to learn more about what inspires her, what the work really looks like behind the scenes, and how her role at Luke’s Place has shaped her understanding of social work.
What drew you to this area of social work?
“I have long recognized that the law significantly shapes the practice of social work. It creates the framework by which the profession is regulated; it is often present in times of crises; and it invariably shapes clients’ issues and options. Lawyers also similarly seek justice in the same way that social workers aim to advocate for their clients.
Thus, working at Luke’s Place allows the opportunity to provide clients with wholistic support through the provision of family law education, psychosocial support, multiple resources, and ongoing personalized advocacy, which clients find helpful and empowering as they navigate especially stressful moments in their lives.”
What continues to motivate you in this work?
“What motivates me most in this work is seeing the women we serve grow increasingly confident in their abilities while they progress through family law, and ultimately, to know that they received the justice to which they were entitled. The services we offer at Luke’s Place are integral to helping women reach this place in their lives.
Many women already have access to a family lawyer, yet still largely benefit from various additional supports and resources we can offer them to supplement the work with their lawyers. Then there are those women who do not qualify for legal aid or who do not have personal resources to hire a lawyer. Such women inevitably have no choice but to self-represent. This sudden ‘sole immersion’ into family law is often daunting and fraught with the fear of unknowns. Luke’s Place helps to remove barriers to justice by providing access to practical services that help women proceed through family law in a more manageable and informed way, thereby increasing their chances for success, despite having no legal representation.
All in all, it is deeply fulfilling to witness these resilient women become increasingly empowered throughout their family law journey.”
What does trauma-informed practice look like in your day-to-day work?
“The women we serve have often suffered multiple forms of intimate partner violence, which usually further increase once they separate from their partners. While attempting to manage this abuse, women must also adjust themselves and their children to new routines, environments, and changes to their standard of living.
Thus, when working with women at Luke’s Place, it is necessary to balance the practical tasks required for working within the family court system, while simultaneously acknowledging and accommodating for the inevitable psychosocial impacts of the abuse.
I do this by supporting women using a trauma-informed perspective. This means creating and maintaining a supportive space by being sure to provide women with safety and confidentiality; being trustworthy, collaborative, consistent, and transparent in all interactions; empathizing with their history of trauma; helping women to recognize their personal strengths, resilience, and empowerment; and always respecting their autonomy and choices. Committing to a trauma-informed perspective makes it possible for women to more effectively and hopefully proceed on their family law journey.”
We are proud to celebrate the skill, compassion, and resilience of our social workers on our team not just during National Social Work Month, but every day. Their commitment to advocacy, trauma-informed practice, and client-centred support makes a meaningful difference in the lives of the families we serve.
Get Involved
If you’re a social work student or volunteer looking to gain experience and contribute to our mission, we welcome you to get involved with Luke’s Place. Your time and dedication can help support women and children in meaningful ways while building your skills in a real world-setting.
Learn more here!
To all social workers at Luke’s Place and beyond, thank you for the vital work you do.
