Keisha Smith, changing lives through social intervention

WESTERN BUREAU:

When Keisha Smith began her career as a child safeguarding social worker in the Caribbean, she held tightly to the belief that she could change the world. But experience soon reminded her of something far more compelling.

“Early in my career, I believed I could change the world, but experience has taught me that helping one child or family at a time is enough to create hope,” she said.

Originally, Smith wanted to pursue a career in law but later stumbled into social work, a field, she said, that is often misunderstood.

“A lot of people feel it’s about giving out things – clothes and food – when it’s far more wide and vast. It’s about changing people’s mindset, impacting lives so that the decision parents and children make will give them a better outcome,” she said.

Smith, who holds a master of social work degree and used to work in Grand Cayman until recently, shares her story in 100 Things to Do With a Social Work Degree, edited by Melanie Sage, PhD, MSW and Laurel Iverson Hitchcock, PhD, MSW. Her chapter offers a clear glimpse into the realities of child safeguarding in the Caribbean.

In the excerpt, while she formerly worked with an agency, Smith said the following, “I handle child safeguarding cases through court reports, assessments, visits, and advocacy work. I meet with children and families, handle communications, attend conferences, and participate in various planning meetings.”

DOMESTIC ABUSE

In her day-to-day role, Smith serves children whose parents may be substance abusers, victims of domestic abuse, or involved in the judicial system. She responds to urgent child protection cases, conducts parent meetings, school visits, court appearances, and prepares documentation. This all while trying to stay grounded in the humanitarian side of her work.

She recalls one case of a 15-year-old boy who was struggling with depression and academic failure. His family had already given up on him and his teachers doubted his ability. But Smith didn’t, not once.

“I secured funding for his exams, arranged extra lessons, and connected him with a mentor and extra-curricular activities. Despite doubts from his teachers and occasional resistance from him, I remained steadfast in my belief in his potential. He eventually passed all his exams and earned a spot at a university, something he once thought was unattainable.”

The boy later told her that her belief in him is what stopped him from giving up on life.

These moments for Smith keep her grounded and reaffirm why she chose this path.

“My belief in justice drives my advocacy, ensuring equitable resources for clients, respecting diverse cultures, and confronting systemic inequities with empathy.”

But the end result isn’t always an uplifting success story. Like many social workers, she wrestles with challenges that exist far beyond her control, such as bureaucratic red tape, schools that lack resources, and a system that can feel overwhelming.

Smith believes many of society’s issues trace back to one thing – parenting, or more specifically, unresolved trauma.

“We parents know how we were parented ... and that is where a lot of the problem lies. You have to sort out your issues as parents.”

She added that, beyond parenting, Jamaica faces a resource gap. “Jamaica needs a lot of social workers. One person having over 100 cases, it’s not good practice.”

EMOTIONAL TOLL

Despite the emotional toll, Smith believes the field is evolving, especially since the COVID-19 pandemic shifted family interventions to online platforms. She noted that there has been a rise in suicidal ideation among children, and the growing need for evidence-based policies and training.

She also sees potential in outsourcing services and believes that social workers should intentionally hone skills in networking and negotiation.

A solution to this ,she said, is partnering with other countries and outsourcing specialised services, especially for treatment and assessments. “We can’t do it alone … what we lack, especially here in Jamaica, are resources, especially human resources.”

And, for child protection to work, the community must stop turning a blind eye.

“Everybody sees every child as their own … just looking out, having a word … supporting in whatever way, is going to impact everybody.”

As such, she offers advice to those considering the profession, saying, “Love for people should be the foundation of your desire to enter social work. Without it, burnout is inevitable. Develop networking and technological skills to navigate modern challenges. Focus on creating programmes that support safe and nurturing environments for children to foster healthier communities.”

Additionally, in the book, she says her foundation in the field was built through education and deep relationships.

“My BSW and MSW degrees, particularly courses in networking and negotiation, built my professional foundation. I maintain connections with former professors and supervisors while pursuing ongoing education in forensic interviewing, child safeguarding, policy, and law.”

And, through it all, she never forgets what she’s learned from her clients and past cases.

“Working with clients and stakeholders has taught me that authenticity and self-awareness are crucial. Addressing our own traumas helps us better serve society’s most vulnerable members.”

EYE INTO THE FUTURE

And, if Smith represents her 17 years of wisdom, Rashad Forde is an eye into the profession’s future.

“As a high-schooler I have always been an active part in advocating for my peers,” Forde explained. His turning point came after he had to utilise the service of a social worker himself. That experience led him to apply for the HOPE Youth Programme, where he was placed at the Lucea CIB Office.

Guided by two mentors, Det W/Cpl Haughton and Det W/Sgt Crooks who had training in social work, he said, “I thank them for opening my eyes to the possibilities of the field.”

After five practicum sites, Forde’s interests now lie in substance misuse prevention.

“My experience at the National Council on Drug Abuse was enriching, and I hope to further my career in that arena.”

Forde, who journals to cope with emotional stress, said promoting social justice involves challenging the anti-oppressive nature of our country and meeting people where they are to ensure they are benefitting from equal access.

He’s especially big on male empowerment.

“If you identify as man, we especially need your voice in the field … . Come and help to positively influence and shape the lives of clients and policies of the future.”

He credits one life lesson that keeps him grounded, “Once your rationale for doing something is strong, stick with it.”

Smith’s years of experience, such as her resilience and drive, are also reflected in Forde’s ambitions, and she advises newcomers as follows, “Always believe in people and humanity … Once you are able to start your trauma ... you will be better able to serve people … support them, empathise … and just always believe in change.”

Meanwhile, reflecting on what she wishes she knew earlier, Smith didn’t hesitate to say, “I would have loved to have known about bureaucracies ... and how challenging human behaviours can be.”

But, more importantly, she said, all social workers should be required to go to therapy before entering the field.

“Sometimes when you start to practise this, then you realise you have something that you really need to sort out.”

She’s faced her fair share of trauma while on the field, even having a gun pulled on her while working a case.

“Organisations must have a process where social workers can process traumatic situations. But I believe that, it being a part of the curriculum, that you are kind of mandated to go to therapy, to go to counselling, to deal with whatever traumas you have. I would have liked if that was a part of my curriculum.”

Whether seasoned or fresh, Smith and Forde both see that, rather than just a job, social work is actually a calling.

And, in a time when Caribbean societies are confronting deep social issues like mental health, poverty, family instability and other inbred issues, the presence of social workers, quietly doing the work “one child at a time”, is more vital now than ever.

And, as Smith puts it, “Social work’s diverse expertise offers value to any organisation. My hope is that we continue serving with humility and determination, creating lasting positive change in our communities.”