2017 saw the Department of Human Services’ social workers receive more than 320,000 referrals for assistance. Of these, 65,976 were in relation to family and domestic violence, 49,872 in relation to people experiencing mental health issues, and 6341 were for people at risk of suicide.

Katherine based social worker Brett Barney has been working on the ground across the region for two years offering much needed support and assistance to many in need. 

World Social Worker Day was not only about celebrating the much needed work of social workers but also about raising awareness of the services provided to all Australians. 

“It’s important to recognise the support that social workers - not just myself, but all social workers – provide in connecting and delivering services to people, families and communities,” Mr Barney said. 

Mr Barney said it’s also important to celebrate the challenges social workers face in northern Australia, with many working in places like Katherine, Tennant Creek, Alice Springs and Darwin, where delivering services is different.

“I think it’s worth saying first that it is a challenge; the distance is great and communication is not always very easy,” he said. 

“The remote work I do, we’re working with vulnerable people,” Mr Barney said. 

Young people at risk, people who are homeless, people experiencing family and domestic violence or are at risk of suicide are the priority groups Mr Barney provides most assistance to. 

“It’s about making that face to face contact and developing trust and working with that over time to support people in communities,” he said. 

And to Mr Barney, it’s a job that makes a difference.  

“I love working with my colleges and other community workers in Katherine,” he said.  

“I think they do a great job in pulling together and responding to difficult situations.

“I think they do a great job in being inventive and being compassionate and pulling together for the benefit of our shared customers and shared people.”

While their work in Australia may be familiar, Department of Human Services General Manager Hank Jongen said social workers play a lesser known role responding to emergencies and disasters, in Australia and overseas.

“Just over 15 years ago, 88 Australians tragically lost their lives in the terrorist attack in the Kuta tourist district of Bali, Indonesia,” Mr Jongen said. 

“More than 200 people were killed, bringing international communities together to provide assistance in its wake.

“During this difficult time, our social workers provided support to grieving families,” Mr Jongen said. 

Working for the Australian Victim of Terrorism Overseas Payment (AVTOP), Mr Barney provided vital support to Australian victims of the 2015 Paris attacks. 

“I have been involved in the past in responding to an overseas terrorist incident,” Mr Barney said. 

“At the time I was working in a call centre and I was part of a large group of social workers who were able to respond virtually, so it was a matter of this incident has occurred, can we engage some social workers to assist in responding to this incident.”

Of which, Mr Barney said is not to different to working with and responding to people in Australia. 

“Working with vulnerable people and finding a way to help them change their situation,” is the reason Mr Barney became a social worker. 

“What’s kept me (in Katherine) is the work, working with amazing people and amazing places,” he said. 

And the region itself, Mr Barney said, with national parks, bush walking and adventures right at his doorstep.  

Social workers offer support and assistance including assessments, early intervention, crisis support, short-term counselling, casework and referrals for people with multiple and complex needs.