Jarrad Whitfield began his career working in Community Drug Services and as a carer while studying criminology at university. Continuing his studies, Jarrad then completed a master’s degree in social work through the ‘Think Ahead’ program, specialising in mental health social work.

Jarrad’s Journey into Social Work

His inspiration to become a social worker stemmed from his experiences advocating for service users against social workers’ decisions. These interactions, both positive and negative, highlighted the need for strong advocates and voices in the social work community.

Jarrad currently works as a Community Social Worker for the Cheshire West and Chester Council, with a focus on older adults and those with physical disabilities. Day-to-day, Jarrad balances administrative tasks with direct face-to-face support for service users. His typical week of work includes peer reflections, meetings with health professionals, as well as his statutory duties.

Whilst Jarrad expected to spend more time working in the community, much of his job involves completing necessary administrative functions. This is just one of numerous challenges throughout his career, with budget cuts and reduced community resources, making it difficult to meet service users’ needs. These challenges are not unique to his locality but are experienced nationwide. Despite the challenges, Jarrad finds his work to be extremely rewarding. Positive outcomes and the ability to close cases are the most satisfying aspects of his job.

A picture of Jarred Whitfield for System C's social worker spotlight.

The Impact of Technology in Social Work

Jarrad has seen many examples of technology enabling care by promoting independence for service users who prefer minimal human interaction. Occasionally, there are individuals who do not like social workers or carers coming into their home. However, whilst boundaries must be respected, there is still a duty of care to the individual. The use of technology has therefore enabled people to have more independence and remove the anxiety of strangers entering their homes, by using remote solutions such as medication dispenser boxes, false alarms and tracking equipment. Older generations may also feel uneasy about the use of technology to enable care. Jarrad explained that by exposing people to technology, they can begin to realise the benefits that it can bring into their lives. Jarrad shared that this positive impact on people’s lives made him feel accomplished as he felt he could help people in more ways than one with the support of technology.

Jarrad says “Technology is a way for us to ensure that people can have their independence promoted in the way that they want, while still being a cost-effective option for the local authority.”

Jarrad’s Vision for the Future of Social Work

Looking ahead, Jarrad has plans to start his approved mental health professional training. He is particularly interested in addressing the disparities in the detention rates under the Mental Health Act 1983, with a focus on improving social care for all.

Jarrad emphasised the need for diverse social workers to better represent and relate to the communities they serve. He continues to advocate for more inclusive representation in the social work profession to improve engagement and support for service users.

Jarrad’s dedication to social work and his community, along with his continuous efforts to overcome challenges, make him a standout professional in the social care industry. His future aspirations and advocacy for diversity further highlight his commitment to making a positive impact. 

Next Steps

Learn more about the solutions we provide to support social workers and how our innovative tools can help streamline their workflows, enhance case management, and improve outcomes for those they serve.

If you have any questions, please contact us today. Our team is here to provide you with all the information you need about our solutions and how they can support social workers in their vital roles.