Céline, social worker on the Aix campus

What is your role as a social worker on a campus like ours? 

I work with all staff members to listen, inform, advise, and guide them on various social issues they may encounter.
The topics can be very varied, the idea being to support those who seek my help in finding solutions together.
To do this, I meet with people individually and preferably by appointment, to ensure maximum confidentiality.

I adapt according to each person's needs and abilities.

In what areas can you provide advice or assistance to agents? 

The topics listed below represent all the areas in which I can be called upon to provide advice on personal issues:

• Housing: access to rights and housing, eviction, etc.
• Family: separation, violence, educational difficulties, death of a loved one, birth, support for family caregivers, access to rights (e.g., in terms of family benefits), etc.
• Health: access to rights, disability, incapacity, etc.
• Budget: financial difficulties, budget management, excessive debt, etc.
And for professional issues:
• Work: retirement, sick leave, job retention, etc.
• Disability: disability, recognition as a disabled worker, access to rights, financing, etc.

And for all these issues, we can also add assistance with procedures, support, and assistance, all tailored to each person's needs and abilities.

For a single request, there are often overlapping issues that impact each other. This is often the case, for example, during a marital separation, which can lead to the need to find housing, financial difficulties, etc. There are rights and mechanisms that can help with this transition, but it is not always clear where to start.
My listening and assessment skills allow people to take a step back and build an action plan so that they can take things one step at a time without feeling overwhelmed. 

Who are your contacts and how do you work together?

External partners are mostly public services: CAF, social security, county, MDPH. But depending on the situation, they can also be associations, health or legal professionals, etc.
I will either refer people to these services, help them contact them, or liaise with them directly. 

Internal contacts on campus may include HR, social relations, occupational health, etc. Although I am bound by professional confidentiality, these contacts may be essential in moving the situation forward when the request concerns a professional issue. 
Therefore, if I need to communicate with them, it will only be in the interest of the person and with their prior consent. And the information shared will only be that which is essential to understanding the situation and helping to move forward.

Contact: Céline Mimari