Chris - Agency Advisor, Fostering Panel team

My supportive team works well together

I work within a very supportive fostering resource. My colleagues are friendly, approachable and have a high level of social work experience.

My small team is responsible for the functioning of fostering panel and line management of the fostering reviewing officers. We work well together and are open to debate / discussion. We have regular team meetings and team away days.

The office has a good set-up for working across the fostering service and is supportive of working from home.

I’m supported to develop my career

I started as an agency social worker and over time I progressed to a full-time deputy team manager in the fostering support team, and then eventually part time deputy team manager. Reducing my hours with full support and agreement.

More recently I have taken up position as a part time agency advisor (team manager) in the fostering resource. Throughout I have had full support from senior managers and line management for my career progression. I remain very thankful for their support along the journey.

Supervision is a supportive forum

I have been given specialist training and opportunities. We also have access to clinical supervision once a month via CAMHS.

Supervision is seen as a supportive forum to raise matters and to discuss / agree outcomes.

Agile working supports my work / life balance

The role of social work has changed massively over many years and in particular the pandemic has led to new ways of flexible working practices.

I am supported by line management in relation to agile working, recognising the benefits of work from home / flexible working. Whilst at the same time recognising that some practice needs to be in-person and benefits from this.

The new agile working approach has made big difference to work life balance as I no longer have a daily rush hour to get to the office for that daily start; only when required. Instead, I can plan my diary for working from home and be productive without competing with the traffic.

Gloucestershire inspires improvement and welcomes positive change

As a fostering resource we are open to suggestion, freedom to improve and work towards the best outcomes we can reach for. As a resource we are on a continued journey to ensure the best outcomes we can for the children in our care; as a result, we often have working groups towards service development. Therefore, we have a lot of opportunity to be involved in service developments.

What systemic practice means to me

To me this is about the capacity to change; a belief that with support we can work towards a common goal and understanding where possible.

I appreciate that’s a simplistic view, but on balance I would say this approach has been helpful over my years of practice.

Providing safe and loving homes to children is rewarding

I am currently in a non-operational role so in terms of direct practice, I do not work with children directly. However, my work is rewarding as it involves quality assurance to make sure we provide safe and loving homes to children. Each piece of work I complete, I consider how we do this, and this is a reward to know we do the best we can.

Gloucestershire is a lovely county

Cheltenham has a great culture which shows though it’s historic buildings and various festivals such as the literature festival. Whilst Tewkesbury is a great place to have a nice cup of tea / coffee with the various cafés on offer and the Forest of Dean has some simply stunning countryside on offer.

Alongside this, the county is very accessible with good road connections and train access.