Georgina - Senior Social Worker

A Bit About Me

I joined Gloucestershire County Council as an ASYE Social Worker and, after completing my ASYE year, continued working within the same team. Over the years, I have progressed into a Senior Social Worker role and have been supported to develop my skills and experience throughout my career.

What I value most is that career progression is available when you're ready for it, but there is no pressure to move on before the time is right. Whether you want to develop into leadership roles or continue building expertise within your current position, there are opportunities to shape a career that works for you.

I Love My Job

I genuinely enjoy the work I do. While I often see other social work opportunities advertised, I can't imagine doing anything else.

I enjoy working directly with children, foster carers and adopters, supporting children to achieve permanence when they cannot live with their birth families. One of the most rewarding aspects of the role is seeing the progress children make over time and celebrating their achievements alongside them.

A Supportive Team Culture

I work within a fantastic team where everyone supports one another. Having that encouragement and collaboration makes a real difference, particularly when managing complex or challenging situations.

The flexibility of hybrid working allows us to work in a way that suits both our role and personal circumstances. We have access to the equipment we need to work effectively from home, and we come together regularly as a team, including monthly office-based team meetings that help us stay connected and maintain strong working relationships.

Valued Supervision and Development

The support I receive from managers and colleagues is invaluable. I benefit from regular monthly supervision with my manager, providing protected time to reflect on challenges, discuss solutions and continually develop my practice.

For more complex situations, I can access reflective supervision with senior leaders, including our Service Manager and Head of Service. These conversations have helped achieve positive outcomes for children and families and have further strengthened my confidence as a practitioner.

The opportunities for learning and development are excellent. Through the Gloucestershire Social Work Academy and external training opportunities, I have been able to continue developing my skills throughout my career.

Making a Difference

The work we do is incredibly rewarding. Watching children thrive in foster or adoptive families, overcome challenges and achieve things they may once have thought impossible is a privilege.

Being able to celebrate those milestones alongside children and their families is one of the most fulfilling parts of the role.

Why Gloucestershire?

Having grown up in Gloucestershire, I always hoped to build my career here. I enjoy working in the communities I know and care about, helping to make a difference to local children and families.

The county offers a unique blend of vibrant towns, market communities and beautiful rural areas, providing a diverse and rewarding environment in which to work.

Flexible Working and Work-Life Balance

Gloucestershire supports flexible working arrangements that genuinely help maintain a healthy work-life balance.

I currently work a nine-day fortnight, which allows me to enjoy a regular day off every two weeks. This has had a significant positive impact on my wellbeing, giving me additional time to recharge and manage personal commitments while continuing to deliver the best outcomes for the children and families I support.

Why I Recommend Gloucestershire County Council

I would encourage anyone considering a social work career to join Gloucestershire County Council. The support, learning opportunities and variety of career pathways available make it an excellent place to develop professionally.

Whether you're at the start of your career or looking for your next challenge, you'll find a welcoming organisation that values its people, invests in their development and empowers them to make a real difference to children's lives.

"The support, flexibility and opportunities available at Gloucestershire have enabled me to build a career I love while making a meaningful difference to children and families every day."