HIV/Aids

This area of work involves providing emotional support, information and services to those affected by HIV/Aids. The range and effectiveness of combination drugs has improved to such an extent in recent years that a social worker’s role now mostly involves working with people who have recently been diagnosed and providing long-term support to those with more complex health and social concerns. 

New cases tend to be referred from treatment centres, voluntary organisations or local GUM (genito-urinary medicine) clinics. The allocated social worker stays with the service user throughout the case, allowing continuity and maintaining confidentiality. Social workers provide information about the illness as well as help dealing with other issues, such as fears about transmission and the physical impact of the disease. A case may also involve wider issues, such as an uncertain immigration status, insecure housing, a lack of support networks or the involvement of children. Therefore, much of the intervention may involve practicalities, such as accommodation, benefits, providing information and arranging homecare services, as well as recognising the impact of HIV on the whole family and assessing the needs of children who may be young carers. 

Many people with HIV face social isolation, which can lead to mental health problems, so social workers liaise with voluntary services to try to put service users in touch with peer support groups. Many service users are asylum seekers so their status needs to be ascertained to find out if they have access to public benefits or family support. For the particularly vulnerable, the service can provide financial support under the National Assistance Act. Another part of the job is helping to raise awareness and reduce the stigma attached to HIV. There is so little media attention that the problem gets forgotten and service users’ needs aren’t acknowledged.

Shoptalk

• HIV/Aids – you need a good understanding of the HIV virus.
• CD4 count – measures the level of a person’s immunity and how the virus has damaged their white blood cells.
• Viral load – measures the amount of virus in an individual’s blood. Applicants must keep up to date with medical advances and legislation. Recent developments include the fact that HIV positive asylum seekers are now only granted compassionate leave to remain in the UK in extreme cases; they are mostly refused leave to remain.

 Skills required

• Counselling skills.
• An ability to work sensitively and maintain confidentiality.
• An ability to challenge stereotypes, discrimination and prejudice.
• Grounded knowledge of the medical aspects of what HIV and Aids are and how combination therapies support people’s health.
• A friendly, open personality.

Starting out

Before starting work in this area, you need to have a good level of knowledge about HIV and Aids, perhaps through a placement or voluntary work. A newly qualified social worker will have a full caseload from the start, although attempts would be made to ensure that he or she is given less complicated cases. 

In brief

• Best bits
  You are able to establish more therapeutic ways of working with service users because it’s so long term.
  You can focus on building relationships and supporting people.
• Worst bits
  It can be very frustrating, particularly with asylum seekers; you are helpless to change their circumstances.
• Don’t bother if...
  ...emotionally challenging areas of work do not appeal.