Social Work

March 4 to 10 is Social Work Week in Ontario, and across Canada, March is National Social Work Month. This March, we invite you to learn more about how #SocialWorkOpensDoors for people across Ontario and join us in celebrating this essential work. The 2024 theme, #SocialWorkOpensDoors speaks to the role of Social Workers in our communities that support and empower individuals and families in navigating the pathways to supports, systems and services needed for their wellbeing.

What is a Social Worker?

Social Work is a profession aimed at helping individuals, families and communities to build capacity and promote wellbeing. They can help to identify sources of stress or problems, strengthen coping skills and find effective solutions. Social workers are unique among helping professionals because they look at people’s problems within the context of their families, workplace and communities and consider the connection between personal problems and larger social issues (Ontario Association of Social Workers, 2024).

Receiving and navigating through a disability diagnosis for your child is complicated and confusing and often evokes many difficult emotions, thoughts, and worries about the future. Parents and caregivers are often left to search for support in a convoluted system with little direction while caring for their child and/or family and managing their own well-being. This is an overwhelming time in a family’s life, and Social Workers at Grandview Kids play a unique role in the care team.

Social Workers can help your family understand your child’s diagnosis, assist in developing coping strategies and connect your family with programs or services in the community. Social Workers aim to include and promote the best interests of the entire family that may be impacted by a disability.

Social Workers assist families in processing their emotions and thoughts and navigating the next steps regarding a child’s disability. Social Work Services at Grandview Kids can include individual, family or group counselling for caregivers/parents, clients and siblings and are provided by Registered Social Workers and Family Support Assistants. These services can also assist with resource coordination, transition support, and funding assistance to clients and their families.

How to access Social Work at Grandview Kids and beyond:

Any child who is receiving Speech Therapy, Occupational Therapy, or Physiotherapy may be eligible for Social Work Services at Grandview Kids. Ask your clinician about Social Work Services, and they can complete a referral to our team.

When you meet with a Social Worker, they will complete an intake assessment to better understand your current goals and support needs. From that point, you will work with your Social Worker towards those goals. Your Social Worker will be a supportive member of your child’s team that works collaboratively with your family, their Grandview Team, and other community members that may be supporting your child or family.

Feedback from Grandview Kids families about Social Work:

Myths About Social Workers

Source: Ontario Association of Social Workers

Myth: For psychotherapy or mental health services, you need to see a psychologist or psychiatrist.

FACT: Social Workers are the largest group of practitioners providing psychotherapy and other mental health services in the province. In fact, Social Workers are often the only mental health care providers in many rural and remote communities.

Myth: Anyone who has a kind heart can do what a Social Worker does.

FACT: Social Workers are highly skilled professionals who have a university degree in Social Work at the bachelor’s, master’s, or doctoral level.

Myth: Social Workers are bleeding hearts.

FACT: Social workers believe that many factors affect the health and well-being of individuals and communities. In fact, a growing body of research supports the conclusion that the roots of health and well-being can be found in such factors as access to early childhood education and care, education and literacy, employment and working conditions, income and distribution, housing, social inclusion, etc. 

Thank you to our amazing Social Work team for making a difference to clients and families. Join us in celebrating them this #SocialWorkMonth.

Grandview Kids joins a community in mourning following the loss of Draven Graham.

Draven Graham was a young boy with Autism who tragically passed away early this week in Lindsay, Ontario. Grandview Kids extends our deepest condolences to Draven’s family and friends during this difficult time. Many of us within the Durham, Lindsay and Autism communities remain shaken by this tragedy.

Traumatic events can impact those directly or indirectly involved. It is natural to experience all kinds of emotions, from shock or sadness to anger or fearfulness. You may also experience physical or behavioural responses such as changes to your sleep or eating patterns, forgetfulness, increased vigilance, withdrawal or irritability. These reactions are all part of the grief experienced when we suffer a loss.

Here are some things to consider:

Reach out to friends and family. Let them know what would be helpful during this difficult time.
Be kind to yourself and be aware of your feelings. Try not to judge and be patient. Time will often ease the intensity of your reactions.
Reduce other stressors when possible and try to engage in a relaxing activity, like a hobby, exercise or leisure activity.
Look after your physical health. Maintain good sleep, eating and exercise habits.
Focus on what you can control in your life and engage in routine activities.
Express your feelings tangibly or creatively by writing in a journal, doing an art activity, or volunteering for a cause.
If your reactions are intense and enduring, talk to your doctor or connect with a mental health professional.

There are many professional services that you and your family can access:

Distress Centre Durham: 905-430-2522
Durham Mental Health Services Crisis Response: 905-666-0483
Bereaved Families of Ontario Durham Region: 1-800-387-4870
Durham Counselling Walk-in Clinic (ages three to 19 years): 289-509-0603 extension 3203
Kids Help Phone (ages five to 20 years): 1-800-668-6868

Grandview parents and caregivers can lean on each other by accessing the Online Parent Support page through Facebook. Families currently accessing Grandview Kids Social Work services can reach out to their clinician for advice and insight.

Tragedies such as this bring our community closer together. Connect with one another and know there are many professionals and peers ready to support you.