This month, we’re celebrating World Social Work Day on 17 March. The theme for this year, ‘Co-Building Hope and Harmony: A Harambee Call to Unite a Divided Society’, highlights the vital role of social work in bringing people together across communities, cultures, and systems to shape a more inclusive and sustainable tomorrow.
To mark the occasion, we’re shining a spotlight on one of our incredible social workers, Emilee Nobbs, to learn more about her work, motivations, and what she loves most about her role.
How long have you been working with Challenge Community Services, and do you have any highlights from your time with us?
I started working with Challenge Community Services in February 2024. It’s difficult to pinpoint a single highlight of my time here, but the supportive team culture stands out. Working alongside colleagues who share my passion for helping others makes coming to work genuinely rewarding. Equally meaningful is witnessing my clients achieve positive outcomes and having the opportunity to be part of that journey.
How did you decide on a career in Social Work?
In Year 12, I was going through a challenging period and was unsure about my future career path. At the time, I was working part-time at a trampoline park, where I regularly supported a young girl in out-of-home care who was experiencing behavioural difficulties during her trampolining classes. I took time to check in with her, validate her feelings, and gently encourage her to re-engage and participate.
After several weeks, her social worker approached me to thank me for the support I had provided. Until that moment, I had little understanding of social work as a profession. That evening, I researched the field and felt an immediate connection to the idea of supporting people for a living. With university preferences due just two weeks later, the experience felt pivotal and ultimately confirmed the path I wanted to pursue.
What has been your social work experience so far?
I graduated with a Bachelor of Social Work from Griffith University at the end of 2021. Shortly after graduating, I commenced my social work career working as a Mental Health Clinician through a service’s Early Career Program. This program required me to spend one year working in a regional centre and one year working in a metropolitan setting.
Across the two years, I gained valuable insight into the differences in service access, presentations, and needs of young people in regional versus metropolitan Australia. I worked with young people aged 12–25 experiencing mild to moderate mental health concerns, developing strong skills in youth engagement, assessment, and early intervention within a multidisciplinary mental health setting.
What Theories do you like to use in practice?
I value using Ecological Systems Theory, Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), and Dialectical Behaviour Therapy (DBT) because together they provide a holistic, practical, and person-centred framework for understanding and supporting.
Ecological Systems Theory allows me to view individuals within the broader context of their environments, including family, peers, education, community, and societal systems. Rather than locating challenges solely within the individual, this approach highlights how systemic factors, relationships, and access to resources influence wellbeing. I find this essential for effective advocacy and for creating sustainable, meaningful change.
Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) aligns strongly with my values-based practice. ACT supports individuals to develop psychological flexibility, accept difficult emotions, and take action aligned with their personal values. I appreciate its strengths-based approach, particularly when working with people who may feel overwhelmed, stuck, or disconnected from a sense of purpose.
Dialectical Behaviour Therapy (DBT) provides practical, evidence-based skills that support emotional regulation, distress tolerance, interpersonal effectiveness, and mindfulness. I value DBT for its balance of validation and change, and for its ability to empower individuals with concrete tools they can apply in everyday life.
What keeps you going in Social Work?
What keeps me going in social work is seeing the impact of small, consistent moments of support on people’s lives. Supporting individuals to feel heard, understood, and empowered, especially during vulnerable or uncertain times, continues to remind me why this work matters.
I am motivated by the resilience of people and the privilege of walking alongside them as they build insight, skills, and confidence. Advocacy and helping people reconnect with their strengths also sustain my passion for the profession. Even in challenging moments, knowing that my work contributes to safety, dignity, and meaningful change keeps me grounded and committed to social work.
What are your interests outside of work?
In my spare time, I reconnect with myself through creativity. I love writing lyrics and poetry; there’s something incredibly freeing about putting thoughts and emotions into words. Music is another outlet for me. Singing covers of my favourite songs allows me to express myself in ways that feel both healing and joyful. Creativity helps me process, reflect, and recharge.
I also deeply value time with family and friends. Those connections remind me of who I am outside of my professional role. Laughter, shared meals, meaningful conversations, these moments restore my energy and perspective.
One of my greatest sources of renewal is being outdoors. Whether it’s hiking a new trail or revisiting a favourite path, nature has a way of grounding me. The fresh air, the movement, and the quiet beauty of the natural world help me reset.
