Social worker is 'the glue' that keeps families together

By Louise Kinross

Barb Germon embodies the best of Holland Bloorview. The social worker has an infectious energy, deep compassion, and sees the value in every child and family. Barb's career at our hospital spans 35 years. For 12 years she worked with our inpatients, and for the last 23, she's been a clinician in our child development program. At the end of September, Barb is retiring to her new home in the country, where she can swim in the Muskoka River and watch cows outside her window.

BLOOM: What are the biggest changes you've seen in the issues facing families of children with disabilities? 

Barb Germon: That's a tough question. When I first started I was working at the Bloorview site which was a residential facility. Children lived there, so it was a totally different setup. In many ways, the frontline staff became their families. Even today, some former clients who are now in their 40s tell me how very important those relationships with staff were. Some families stayed very involved with their children, and some families abandoned them and had very limited contact.

Inclusion at a young age remains a huge challenge. We still have special needs schools and classrooms and very limited inclusion in regular classrooms. A lot of children still seem to grow up without having been in relationships with children with disabilities. Bullying in schools is still a really big issue, and I hear about it frequently from young people, as well as from young adults who reflect back on their childhood. 

BLOOM: What's changed in terms of how families are involved in the organization?

Barb Germon: Family-centred care has grown exponentially! We are hearing more from parents, children and youth, and they are involved at every level. Recently I was involved in the Kid 2 Kid project, where we interviewed children with cerebral palsy and their siblings about their lived experiences.

Research has grown at Holland Bloorview in so many areas, including looking at body diversity and sexual health for young people with disabilities. Visibility of disability is better and our Dear Everybody campaign has played a part in that.

BLOOM: Are there significant ways in which the role of the social worker has changed?

Barb Germon: Bloorview Children's Hospital was one of the last vestiges of an institution. When I began, social workers were more like discharge planners, and it could be very task-oriented. We were discharging children and young adults back to the community. Now, working in outpatient rehab, all of the kids are at home with their families or caregivers.

So social workers today use a broader skillset that may include psychotherapy, strengths-based social work practice, mindfulness, cognitive behaviour therapy, positive parenting, and acceptance and commitment therapy. 

BLOOM: Are the challenges you face as a social worker today different than the ones you faced three decades ago?

Barb Germon: I've seen a lot of progress in the area of independent living and transitions to adulthood for our clients. 

Access to respite care hasn't changed much since the 1980s. I was on respite care committees 30 years ago in the community and here at Holland Bloorview. Special Services at Home (SSAH) funding came out then when the government recognized that families with children with disabilities need extra support in order to keep their children at home. SSAH was such a wonderful and innovative program at the time. But now, SSAH funding is on hold.

Families have really struggled during the pandemic. It's been over a year where they've had their kids with higher needs at home, most in-home services stopped, and summer camp spaces were limited. A number of respite programs in the community still haven't opened up again fully. Some of our families are very close to burnout. 

BLOOM: What are the greatest joys of the job?

Barb Germon: Building trusting relationships with children, youth and families. Having them come to me and say I've helped them through some very challenging times. Observing them doing better and having the opportunity to live a good, balanced and fulfilling life.

Growing and learning here has been a joy. I've learned new skills in the areas of positive parenting, grief and loss, working with gender-creative children, and youth who experience anxiety. 

BLOOM: If you could give yourself advice on your first day, with all that you know now, what would you say?

Barb Germon: There's a lot to learn. Be patient with yourself and take opportunities to grow and change.

BLOOM: What emotions come with the job?  

Barb Germon: When families are in crisis, there can be sadness and grief. My greatest joy is to see a family accomplish something they never thought was possible. A parent may come to me totally overwhelmed, or suffering from depression and anxiety, but, over time, is able to develop a sense of confidence as a parent and pride in their child. 

As social workers, we have the privilege of sitting with clients throughout the life cycle. You may be there shortly after the child's birth or diagnosis all the way to their graduation from high school. 

BLOOM: Do you do anything specific to manage stress?

Barb Germon: To refuel I enjoy spending time in nature, which nourishes me, and I try to stay active. I enjoy hiking, kayaking and listening to music. I have moved to the country for my retirement.

BLOOM: If you could change one thing about the psychological supports we offer children with disabilities and parents, what would it be?

Barb Germon: We offer some individual counselling and groups, but we need more, and we need to make them available at an earlier age. I'm a big proponent of long-term support. Hearing that I'm retiring, several families have personally thanked me for being there over many years at times when they've felt overwhelmed, and supporting them to find ways to get back on track. One parent told me: 'You've been the glue that has kept our family together through good and bad times.' I like being that touchpoint for families, allowing them to talk through their emotions and stressors, and come up with their own strategies and supports. 

BLOOM: What are you most proud of in your career here? 

Barb Germon: I'm proud of providing a non-judgmental, safe space for children and families. Being an anchor for children, youth and parents, someone they can come back to if they're struggling or going through difficult times.

I'm also proud of my work on accessible, affordable housing and I enjoy working with immigrant women and families. They may have come from places with very little support for children with disabilities. Many are refugees when they first arrive with limited family supports, difficulty finding housing, employment barriers, and lack of respite. Some are coping with current or past family violence. My heart grows as I watch them learn English, or go back to high school. Having gained firsthand knowledge of disabled children, some choose to become a personal support worker or social worker, or pursue other higher education.