HowzThat1

Earlier this week, I had the pleasure of delivering my Substance Use Awareness training to another brilliant cohort of student social workers at the University of Essex. Big thank you to Jonathan S for bringing me back once again, it genuinely means a lot to be trusted to help shape the next generation coming into this profession.

One of the things I really value about working with student social workers is their openness. They’re at that stage where every new insight becomes part of the foundation they’ll rely on when they step into practice. And substance use — especially in young people and within families, is one of those areas where early understanding makes a massive difference.

This training isn’t just about substances themselves. It’s about the real-world context that young people and families are navigating. We explore:
🟣 Hidden harms – the subtle, often missed signs of parental or adolescent substance use that can quietly shape a child’s emotional, developmental, and physical world long before a crisis appears.
🟣 Protective factors – the strengths and stabilisers around a child that can reduce risk. Students learn how to spot them, strengthen them, and use them proactively to keep a young person safe.
🟣 Decision-making in safeguarding – understanding the “why” behind behaviours helps social workers make better, more compassionate and more informed decisions. Recognising the link between substance use, trauma, mental health, and family dynamics is crucial.

🟣 Professional confidence – a lot of the feedback I get highlights how eye-opening the session is. Students often tell me it helps them feel more equipped to ask difficult questions, challenge assumptions, and hold safer, more honest conversations with young people and parents.

For many, it’s the first time they’ve had a chance to look beyond stereotypes and really examine how substance use plays out in everyday life, not just in high-risk scenarios but in quiet, hidden ways that professionals can easily overlook.

I’m genuinely grateful for the positive feedback the group shared this week. Hearing that the session helped them feel more aware, more prepared, and more confident is exactly why I keep doing this work. These students are stepping into a tough but incredibly important profession. If I can help sharpen their lens even slightly, so they recognise risk earlier, strengthen protective factors faster, and support families more effectively, then the training has done its job.

Here’s to supporting the next wave of social workers and giving them the tools they need to safeguard young people with insight, empathy, and confidence.