I have previously been a manager in Social Care for over 30 years in both the Public and Voluntary Sector.
My career has spanned several service areas including my early career as a residential support worker with Adults with Learning Disabilities and then as a manager of a team providing clubs and activities for children and young people with learning and physical disabilities.
I progressed to being a manager in the voluntary sector for Youth Offending Teams including Appropriate Adult and Mentoring services, before qualifying as a Social Worker and moving to the statutory sector becoming the manager of the Local Youth Crime Prevention Team.
I have worked for Local County Councils where my profile of teams managed has included a Multi-Dimensional Therapeutic Fostering Team, Adoption and Adoption Support Services, Private Fostering, SGO assessment and Support, generic Fostering Teams, Specialised Fostering support services and Kinship and SGO support. This work enabled my knowledge of Attachment and Early Developmental Trauma to develop widely and inform my practice which in turn has helped to inform practice in my Teams and with Foster Carers, Adopters, Kinship Carers and special Guardians. During this time I was also a respite Foster Carer. I have implemented and facilitated evidenced based programmes in these areas and provided training to staff, Foster Carers, Special Guardians and Adopters including presenting at national forums. My last local Authority role was as a Manager for a Children with Disabilities Team. I have qualifications in effective management in Children’s Services.
For the last 2.5yrs I have worked as an independent Social Worker, Trainer, Consultant and Regulation 44 Independent Visitor. I provide training and consultation to Children’s Homes, Fostering agencies and Local Authority looked after Children teams for Freedom Training and Consultancy Ltd.
My portfolio of training also includes working with the British Antarctic Survey and other organisations facilitating training in Advanced Mental Health Awareness, Safeguarding and Lone working.
I maintain my Social Worker CPD and I am registered with Social Work England.
Outside of work I am a keen sailor, have worked as a volunteer Rugby Coach and enjoy life to its full.