I have always wanted to work with people and am told I am someone who gets along with people. Growing up I lived in a low-income community and throughout my childhood and adolescent years, I experienced many difficulties and personal challenges which impacted on my educational attainment.
I have always had an interest in working in a social care setting with children and families. However, due to my education being difficult, I did not feel able or brave enough to undertake higher education until I had matured. I worked in various roles prior to undertaking the social work degree, which involved volunteering within schools and supporting children, as well as working for a time with a supported housing service which gave me insight into the difficulties families experience.
I feel that the difficulties I faced within my childhood have given me the ability to relate to people from a diverse range of backgrounds and an understanding of the problems families experience. My passion to help people and being told I am someone who friends and family turn to inspired me forward in wishing to achieve my goals.
I undertook voluntary work within primary education, became a parent governor and support services to gain further confidence in working with children and their families. I undertook the Access and Assessment Course in health and social care at Hull College and gained the skills and attainments to attend University. I started University of Lincoln in 2010 to undertake the social work degree (BSc).
I was lucky enough to have a second placement within a Children’s Locality team working directly with children and their families. I thrived in my learning and upon completion of my degree I gained employment in 2013 as a Family Time and Residential Support Worker for Hull City Council and during this time also worked for Hull Churches Housing as a Children and Family Support Worker.
I applied and was successful in gaining employment as a full-time social worker in April 2014 and have worked for Hull City Council as a social worker since this date. I have continued with development and progression within Hull City Council and have found this both fulfilling and rewarding.
This has been immensely rewarding for me and a journey that was difficult initially but with encouragement from my family, I felt a real sense of achievement that despite some challenges, I fulfilled my dream of becoming a Child and Family’s Social Worker with Hull City Council.
I have 11 years’ experience working with children, young people, and families and have worked mostly in Locality Children and Families teams with a period of a year spent working with children from the Leaving Care service in the Pathway team. I have gained lots of experience of working in partnership with children and families and found the role rewarding.
I feel being a social worker is a real privilege. I enjoy working as part of a team and supporting colleagues to develop their practice. During my journey with Hull City Council, I have been able to undertake training and development to increase my knowledge and skills and this has enabled me to progress in my own career and I have completed the Leadership and Management Award. I found this really rewarding and this has increased my knowledge and skills considerably.
A career in social work has enabled me to work closely as part of a team. I believe this is vital for support, learning, development, and skills. I became a social worker to support, encourage and advocate for positive change. Supporting children and their families has been a privilege and a rewarding profession to be part of.