‘I credit my late social work professor for the brilliant career I have had’

For Community Care’s 50th anniversary, our My Brilliant Colleague series invites you to celebrate anyone who has inspired you in your career.

In this entry, a principal social worker remembers their late professor, Patricia Roderick, who they credit for being a guiding light throughout their career and a pioneer of strengths-based practice “long before it was a concept”.

To my dear social work professor, the late Patricia Roderick:

Dear Pat,

I want to thank you for your support and the nurturing that you provided me some 30 years ago, when I was a student.

Throughout my career, I have often stopped to reflect on your teachings, your wisdom and your love of people.

You taught me the importance of evidence in decision making and how to walk alongside people, to listen deeply, and to keep the person at the heart of every conversation and action.

You were a pioneer of strengths-based practice, long before it was a concept. You believed in people, in the redemptive power of enablement, and championed the returning of power to the person.

You were so supportive, especially when I wobbled, pushing me to hear my calling, the vocation of our art – the practice of serving the people.

You died in 2009, yet somehow I still hear you in my head when things get sticky, [encouraging me] to dig deep and push through, to always do the right thing, at all costs.

I credit you for the brilliant career I have had; the numerous opportunities and the privilege of working with amazing people, families, and fellow practitioners.

Thank you simply does not seem to measure the immense gratitude I hold for the impact you have had on me, my career and my life.

Thank you, Professor Roderick

How to nominate a colleague

For our 50th anniversary, we’re expanding our series My Brilliant Colleague to include anyone who has inspired you in your career – whether current or former colleagues, managers, students, lecturers, mentors or prominent past or present sector figures whom you have admired from afar.

Nominate your colleague or social work inspiration by either:

• Filling in our nominations form with a letter or a few paragraphs (100-250 words) explaining how and why the person has inspired you.
• Or sending a voice note of up to 90 seconds to +447887865218, including your and the nominee’s names and roles.

Despite the need to provide your name and role, you or the nominee can be anonymous in the published entry.

If you have any questions, email our community journalist, Anastasia Koutsounia, at anastasia.koutsounia@markallengroup.com.