I joined Somerset County Council nearly 15 years ago as an Education Support Assistant. I was then provided the opportunity to train as a social worker, qualifying in 2004. My colleagues are committed, talented and dedicated to improving circumstances for children and families in Somerset. They are faced with challenging decisions every day but never fail to be caring and resilient characters who work really hard.
Since qualifying I have benefitted from regular training which has helped me progress in my career. This training included a Post Qualifying Award in Social Work, Practice Education Professional Standards and a Graduate Certificate in Leadership and Management in Health and Social Care.
I am now a Consultant Social Worker based in the Taunton office covering Taunton and West Somerset. There have been numerous times when I have been proud to be a social worker, but an example of a particular case was when I was working with a family, whose teenage child had been living in care for a long time. There appeared to be little prospect of this teenager returning safely to his birth family, but by communicating and working with the family, we successfully did just that.
I take pride in being a social worker and working with colleagues who are committed to improving outcomes and making a difference for the children and families in our area.
