The Lost Art of Connection: Why Meaningful Relationships Are the Key to Sustainable Social Work

By Tracey Hill

Introduction: A Childhood of Connection

I grew up in a world where connection was simple — and everywhere. My childhood, spanning the late 60s to early 80s, was marked by routines and rhythms that made space for meaningful interaction. Children’s TV aired for a short window after school, leaving the rest of the day free for playing outside, building friendships, and learning how to communicate — really communicate.

There were no smartphones or tablets, no constant buzz of social media. Conversations happened face to face. Families gathered around the table. Weekends were structured around shared time, not screens.

That way of life shaped our ability to relate — to build relationships, resolve conflict, and be present with one another.

The Disconnection of the Digital Age

Fast forward to today, and the contrast is stark. I see babies propped up in front of iPads, toddlers swiping screens before they can form full sentences. At restaurants, families sit in silence, eyes fixed on their phones. Adults too.

COVID-19 made this worse. During lockdowns, we were physically isolated and socially distant — pushed further into virtual spaces. Zoom and Teams calls replaced real conversations. And while technology has its benefits, it can’t replicate the depth and nuance of being together in person.

I’ve noticed a growing discomfort around real human connection. Many people seem to struggle to strike up — or sustain — meaningful conversations, especially when emotions are involved. When things get tricky, some withdraw or shut down.

And in social work, this has consequences.

I’m increasingly seeing social workers themselves struggling to communicate — even with their peers. I often find myself wondering: If it’s hard to connect with colleagues, how well are we managing to form the kinds of relationships that matter most? The ones with children, families, their wider networks, and the professional partners they work alongside.

Why Relationships Matter in Social Work

At its heart, social work is relational. We aren’t just working with systems or ticking boxes — we’re supporting real people with complex lives, layered histories, and deep emotions.

Strong relationships are what enable us to do this work well. They help us:

• Build trust, especially with those who have every reason not to trust systems

• Create safety, not just physical, but emotional and psychological

• Encourage honesty, which is the foundation of any meaningful change

• Be present when things are hard — instead of looking for quick fixes or easy exits

When we lose the ability to connect, we risk reducing our work to procedures and paperwork. We may complete assessments without ever truly understanding the people at the centre of them. We may talk about families instead of with them.

But it doesn’t have to be this way.

At ATA: Putting Relationships at the Centre

At ATA, we believe that strong and sustainable networks sit at the heart of effective safeguarding.

Traditionally, safeguarding has often focused on the safety plan as the main outcome — once it’s written and agreed, the job feels done. But we see things differently.

If we’ve done our job well, the plan is only part of the story. The real power lies in the network of relationships we help build around a child or family — people who know them, care about them, and are committed to walking alongside them when things get tough.

We also work closely with practitioners to support them in having meaningful, well-crafted conversations — the kind that aren’t just about gathering information, but about truly connecting. We help them build on strengths, lead with kindness, and thread empathy through everything they do.

It’s about seeing the world through the eyes of the child and their family, and walking in their shoes. When we do that, the decisions we make are rooted in what’s right for the child — not simply what’s quickest or easiest for those working around them.

These aren’t just values — they’re practical, powerful ways to create sustainable safety and lasting change.

Relationships aren’t a soft skill or a nice-to-have. They are the foundation of good social work. And in a time when disconnection is becoming the norm, holding fast to relationship-based practice is a radical, essential act.

Final Thoughts: Reclaiming the Human in Our Work

We live in a world that’s moving faster and feeling more disconnected than ever. But in social work, our greatest strength will always be our ability to connect — to sit with discomfort, to build trust, and to stand alongside others with empathy and intention.

Now more than ever, we need to reclaim the art of forming meaningful relationships — not just as a philosophy, but as a daily, deliberate practice.