ABSTRACT
Social work and probation staff are frequently in the unenviable position of having to say difficult things to clients whose whole sense of wellbeing may depend on their judgement. Just think about the areas of a client's life you can affect-these include their liberty, whether or not they keep their children or whether they have enough money to buy food. Difficult things social workers and probation staff say include things such as:
• 'No, the department won't give you money.' • 'We don't have any housing of our own.' • 'Because of your behaviour I will have to breach you.' • 'If you don't do x, y, z, I will have to consider whether your child stays
with you.' • 'I am going to propose to the meeting that we take your child into care.' • Tm sorry, the adoption panel turned you down.' • 'I believe you have been sexually abusing your child.' • 'I am not going to continue this interview because I believe you have
been taking drugs.'
