Lyn Romeo: Deborah Sturdy, Chief Nurse for Grownup Social Care and I not too long ago visited Salford to listen to about the best way social care colleagues work with the council, the NHS, suppliers and voluntary and neighborhood sector companions.
As a part of that day, we heard about their strategy to recruitment and retention and constructing the capability and functionality of their workforce throughout all sectors. I used to be delighted to listen to from one of many social staff, Donna Sharkey, about her profession journey into social work and he or she has kindly offered her reflections on this nice weblog.
An journey, at some point at a time
I’ve labored for Salford Grownup Social Take care of 18 years and 11 months, and I’ve been a stage two social employee on the transition crew for 3 weeks and about 23 minutes, however who’s counting?
I’m a Salfordian. I’m who I’m due to the folks of Salford. Make your self a brew and examine my journey and the way an administrative error helped me obtain a aim I by no means dreamt doable.
My social work journey started in 12 months 9 of secondary college, in my English lesson. I did a presentation on a rustic and western tune from a documentary I’d been watching. The tune was known as “Jenny’s obtained a secret” and was talking up about baby abuse.
The documentary defined that one in 4 kids would expertise some type of abuse, and I believed “that’s six folks in my class”. I needed to present at the very least one baby a solution to communicate out. My mum says now, “social work was written within the stars.”
After leaving college, I enrolled on a diploma in social work, however different issues occurred, it didn’t work out and I returned to work in my native hospital. I later took a possibility by way of work to coach as an assistant practitioner. The position was to be a mixed, nursing, physio, and occupational remedy position, a well being and social care basis diploma and my NVQ stage 3.
A contented accident
Upon qualifying, I used to be making use of for jobs and noticed a Neighborhood Evaluation Officer position inside occupational remedy. I rang Salford Council and was put by way of to the flawed division. Grownup social care division have been promoting the identical position. I spoke to them and I believed this appears like one thing I may get pleasure from so, I took the possibility, utilized and obtained the job!
That cellphone name to the flawed division modified my route, and I really really feel it put me the place I used to be meant to be.
There have been six of us, the primary social work apprentices for Salford. With out the help we had for one another, from our groups and the workforce improvement crew, I wouldn’t be the place I’m now.
On the finish of my diploma, I used to be nominated for the Umbuntu Memorial Award. This recognised excellent social justice values in keeping with the Unbuntu Rules. Certainly one of my biggest achievements thus far. It was created to commemorate Dr Allister Butler a superb, passionate, and artistic instructor. I shall be perpetually honoured to be the primary individual to obtain it.
I’m so impressed by our work in Salford. I look ahead to Friday’s excellent news tales to see what my colleagues have achieved. Even on a nasty day, I really feel privileged to do my job. Not many individuals do one thing they honestly love and really feel they have been meant to do. The very best moments are seeing the younger folks we help obtain their outcomes.
What it is all about
Not too long ago I labored with a younger lady who mentioned, “I wish to be a carer. I would like to have the ability to make folks a cup of tea and make them blissful”. At the moment, she couldn’t elevate the kettle. I recommended the ‘one contact’ kettle, which she practiced with and, when she made a cup of tea, her face lit up. That day, she made somebody a cup of tea and requested them how their day had been. She had achieved her aim.
We organized a volunteering alternative inside an additional care housing scheme, supported by Salford’s well being enchancment crew. With a possibility to volunteer in school holidays, she hopes to work as a carer at some point. The final time I noticed her she was organising a brew membership in school.
I’ve discovered a lot about social justice, energy, and the challenges that the folks of Salford face. I implement an influence with mannequin when working with younger folks, and I wish to perceive their strengths. With confidence, they will problem injustices, and inequalities, making the constructive modifications they need, not what I believe they need to do.
I’m a special employee as we speak than yesterday and a special employee than I shall be tomorrow. Our workforce crew helps me keep challenged, and motivated to proceed to develop and be the most effective I might be.
It’s been a whirlwind, the time has completely flown by. I’m grateful for all my alternatives inside grownup social care, and I hope to pay it ahead, I plan to grow to be a Follow Educator, encouraging college students simply as I used to be inspired.
