Social Workers
Welcome to Early Links Social Work
As Early Links social workers, our vision is to provide a welcoming and warm space where individuals and families feel safe, valued, and respected. We maintain professional relationships while providing individualised support and advocating for the people we work with.
We strongly believe that improving the health and wellbeing of every person is possible and that there are many ways to support both physical and mental health.
What does a social worker do?
Social workers offer a range of services and experiences that promote self-efficacy and empowerment, build healthy relationships, and endorse resilience that enhances all areas of an individual and family’s life. We offer holistic support that centres on the individual or family to meet your goals. We achieve this by supporting the following:
1. Family Work: Family work is spending time with a social worker to assist with current challenges in an individual and/or family’s life. We will work from a person-centred and strengths-based approach to ensure that each individual and/or family’s specific needs are being addressed. Family work can be a way of accessing information and learning about new ways to parent, manage mental health, or access services in the community.
2. Counselling: Social work can offer a variety of counselling therapies and techniques that support individuals that have experienced or been exposed to trauma, periods of mental ill-health or other underlying factors. Social workers strongly focus on trauma-informed care and creating a space and relationship that promotes this. They will use appropriate therapies, frameworks, resources, and strategies to suit the individual’s needs.
3. Information, Advocacy, and Referral: Social work can assist individuals and/or families with accessing information, advocating on their behalf, and finding the most appropriate services for their needs.
Our social workers are highly qualified
Our social workers have all completed their Bachelor of Social Work (Honours) at the University of Newcastle. They share common skills and attributes, including interpersonal communication, empathy, patience, active listening, organisation, critical thinking, cultural awareness, self-care, professional commitment and advocacy.
Most of our experience has been providing individuals and families with parenting support, domestic and family violence, child protection, mental health, housing support, family safety, and personal wellbeing. We are also trained in several different educational and therapeutic programs.
Meet our friendly Social Work Team
Jess
Social Work Team Leader
Matt
Social Worker
Which areas do our social workers cover?
Aberdeen, Abermain, Bellbird, Beresfield, Bolwarra, Branxton, Cessnock, Chisholm, Cliftleigh, Dungog, East Maitland, Gillieston Heights, Greta, Heddon Greta, Hinton, Kurri Kurri, Laguna, Lochinvar, Lorn, Maitland, Morpeth, Muswellbrook, Paterson, Raworth, Raymond Terrace, Rothbury, Rutherford, Singleton, Stroud, Tarro, Telarah, Tenambit, Thornton, Vacy, Windella, Wollombi, Woodberry and more.
Telehealth sessions are also an option if appropriate for the individual or group participants instead of face-to-face sessions.
How do I start social work with Early Links?
If you’re ready to get started or just want to find out more, you can use the form below to get in touch with us.
We’ll be happy to answer any questions you have, explain what would be involved and tell you all about the support we can offer.
Get In Touch
Please complete the form below to contact Early Links. Our friendly team will be very happy to assist you.
Contact us
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the difference between a social worker and a psychologist?
Psychologists generally focus on supporting people or families with their mental health or supporting people who live with a mental illness diagnosis. Social workers focus on supporting people or families with social support, family support, counselling, advocacy, capacity building, and referrals.
Can social workers diagnose?
No, social workers cannot diagnose.
What’s the difference between a social worker and a support worker?
Support workers support individuals and families with their daily living, capacity building, and supporting their independence and autonomy.
Social workers support individuals and families with building their capacity, independence, and autonomy by providing strategies that build on a person’s strengths and resources. Social workers also advocate for and support people to navigate and access complex or oppressive systems and services.
Can social workers prescribe medication?
No, social workers cannot prescribe medication.
Can social workers interview children alone?
Yes, social workers can support children in a one-on-one setting provided parents or carers have consented to this or if there are serious concerns for the child or young person’s safety.
Why are social workers useful in the community?
Social workers work with and advocate for vulnerable peoples, families, groups, and communities. They work to ensure that their rights and needs are being met and considered in decision-making processes that affect their lives and wellbeing. Social workers also advocate for diversity and demonstrate cultural sensitivity when working with diverse groups of people, such as Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander, CALD, and LGBTQIA+ peoples, groups, and communities.