Social Work Services
Social work services
Pregnancy, birthing and parenting a newborn baby can be a wonderful experience, but there can also be lots of changes, mixed emotions, and extra stresses during this time in your life.
Social workers are members of the antenatal, postnatal and neonatal multidisciplinary teams that can provide health care and support for you while you are attending Mater Mothers’ Hospital. Social workers can assist you in a number of different ways, especially if you have difficulty in adjusting to issues that impact on you and your partner, your family, and other relationships.
Our social workers are experienced and qualified professionals who practice within the Australian Association of Social Workers’ code of ethics and guidelines.
How social work can help you
Counselling and problem solving
There are times when having another person to talk to about a situation or a problem may help you to see what is happening differently. Social workers are available to provide counselling for you, your partner or your family. They will discuss any issues that concern you, offer suggestions for you to consider and together find ways to manage the situation.
Advocacy
Sometimes hospital systems can be complex and confusing. Social Workers understand this and can assist you in identifying and advocating for your needs to negotiate the best possible outcome for you.
Crisis and trauma intervention
Things don’t always go according to plan. Social workers can provide emotional support to assist you and your family to cope in difficult and unexpected circumstances.
Information
Social workers can provide information about resources available to you, both within the hospital as well as in your community.
Discharge planning
As part of the health care team, social workers can link you with community supports if you need them when you go home from hospital.
Social workers have experience in many areas including:
- pregnancy and lifestyle adjustments
- loss and grief/bereavement issues
- parents experiencing fears and worries associated with illness, disability and the future for themselves and their baby
- adjustment to the effects of long-term hospitalisation on mother and/or baby
- cultural/refugee issues
- relationship and family issues
- domestic violence
- crisis and stress management
- drugs and alcohol during pregnancy
- social isolation and support issues, particularly for families outside the metropolitan area
- financial and legal issues
- referral to community resources.
Appointments
If you would like to see a social worker during your time with us, please ask your doctor or midwife to refer you, or phone 07 3163 8031 to make an appointment.
Mater acknowledges consumer consultation in the development of this patient information.
Mater Doc Num: PI-CLN-420047
Last modified 25/9/2019.
Consumers were consulted in the development of this patient information.
Last consumer engagement date: 28/2/2014
For further translated health information, you can visit healthtranslations.vic.gov.au/ supported by the Victorian Department of Health and Human Services that offers a range of patient information in multiple languages.