After a personal experience within my family that led to social services becoming involved, I developed an interest in Social work. I played a big part in my family’s support plan, working closely with a Social Worker. I saw firsthand the impact of intervention, both positive and negative. The experience made me realise that I could make a difference for other families going through similar circumstances.
After qualifying, I wanted to start my career in a hands-on role with plenty of direct work, so I chose a role within an Early Help Service. It allowed me to build my confidence, skill set, and knowledge. This was a consent-based service, so I gained particularly in-depth experience relating to family engagement. After 3 years in this role, I felt confident enough to apply for a statutory role and came to work for the Child and Family Assessment Team in Thurrock.
I spent 3 years on the Child and Family Assessment Team before moving to the MASH Team to further develop my skills. I began as a Practice Manager in the MASH, was promoted to Deputy Team Manager and then to Team Manager within a 3-year period. It allowed me to grow my knowledge of Children’s law, CIN/CP plans, attend court for ICO’s and learn the importance of parallel family in high-risk cases.
In my current role as MASH Team Manager, I manage a team of five Social Workers, a Deputy Team Manager, and four admin staff. The MASH team is an important part of the children’s social care system within Thurrock, as we must make quick decisions on the risks posed to children and what the best outcome should be.
Day to day, I ensure robust partner agencies are working to ensure we are working with the right families. Alongside this, I monitor the statistics of referrals and outcomes, as well as timescales and legal matters referred. I have an open door policy and an informal working style, so constant conversations are being held with my Social Workers throughout the day. This ensures the team remains curious when completing risk assessments.
The fast pace and increasing demands can be a challenge. I make hundreds of decisions each month, so the support of my Deputy and Service Manager is very important to ensure decision fatigue is managed well. Most families we contact in the MASH are thankful for the support we can offer. Knowing our immediate response has kept children safe from further harm is the most rewarding part of the job. I also love my team and the accountability we all have for the decisions we make.
Social Work is the most rewarding job, but it does not come without challenges. It is okay to not have all the answers, knowledge, and skill sets when you enter your first role. Take your time, communicate with your colleagues, and gain oversight from your Team Manager.
As you gain knowledge and experience, the job only becomes more rewarding.
