A Thoroughly Postmodern Millie

I give my gold-star seal of approval to my last placement with enable scotland (and not just because I got to go out in the sun with a bit of card and some sticky-backed plastic to make this nature study!). I thought it was a really great place, doing really good work and with a really nice atmosphere about it.

In contrast to my other placements I wasn't stuck in offices or schools, I wasn't stuck within the bounds of a big institution, and I got the chance to build relationships with some of the clients over time. Definitely the sort of thing I would like to do in the future (somewhere I could get stuck in with things rather than signposting).

One of the most difficult things for the EDWs is obtaining work placements - which is why in our 'dream guidance scenarios' I said they should be compulsory, like jury duty! (although that obviously wouldn't be that great an idea as you wouldn't want to send anyone out into a hostile place). I would have expected to a lot of closed doors when trying to get placements, but what surprised me was the number of people who are very openly and blatantly discriminatory.

I also got to go out one day with an EDW who was supporting a client into their new cleaning job. They teach clients how to do the job, stay with them until they learn it and are comfortable, and then gradually remove themselves. Enable has the funding for clients to get back in touch in the future if they are having any problems, which is sooooo important (I'm a bit horrified by all the stories of places which don't have that)

We were talking in class today about the problem of which theorectical stance to take with differnet clients. Although they are often viewed negatively, I think sometimes directive matching approaches are sometimes appropriate. Everyone (not specifically this client group) has limits to their capability, everyone works within limited opportunity horizons to a greater or lesser extent, and some people struggle with 'decision making' and knowing what they want, especially if they are used to having little or no say in their lives.

At enable, one of the EDWs (who did this course last year) was talking to me about how, in reality, she often uses matching techniques, as this is what is most appropraiate. However, there is no one set approach, and support is individualised. While I was there I also went to one evening of a 6 week event,'The Big Plan', an evening event at the hibs ground where they can bring friends and family, and where they are given supported space to assert their identities, dream, and make plans for the future, which they do by drawing their ideas on posters and talking about them to the group. I really love that sort of stuff, and the idea of 'pick n mix'. When it comes to guidance I'm a thoroughly postmodern millie!


I hate all the stuff Pete says about 'having a different theory for different groups'. I know that there can be broad similarities between 'groups' of clients (school leavers vs women returners etc) but I would never want to (intentionally) prejudge anyone, or assume groups are homogenous. I don't see what is so difficult about taking individual people as they come and thinking on your feet!




[and while I was at enable I even got to jet-set about edinburgh with my very own volunteer-liasing 'James Bond'! (which I guess must make me a bond girl???). He was absolutely amazing at his job, so suave and professional and talented (yes thats right he is reading this!). Despite his fears I don't have a bad word to blog about him - even if he does drink his body weight in coffee every day and have a thing for buttons shaped like unicorns and pixies. I honestly like those things about him :D]