Ella is taking on her social work training with the help of Nexus Fostering, and she explains what lead her to that decision.
Having spent the last two years and a half years working as a Family Support Worker I have come to develop a passion to become a Social Worker myself.
For the past 8 years I have worked in various childcare/educational settings, as well as studying which resulted in a degree in Childhood Studies in 2014.
The one thing I have always known I’d like to do with my career is to be in a job that I love, help people, and make a difference to their lives.
Since working for Nexus Fostering I have learnt a huge amount about the care system and gained an insight into the daily struggles and accomplishments for looked after children, foster carers, and all of the professionals working alongside them.
In my current role I have gained confidence and experience working with vulnerable children and young adults. Planning sessions based on particular areas of need has been vital to my role as well as implementing activities that are going to benefit them and try to guide them in the right direction.
The skills and personal qualities that I have developed within my role (and still continue to develop daily) have given me a good starting point to becoming a social worker.
The world of social work throws you obstacles and challenges on an hourly basis which have put my problem solving skills to the test. I am looking forward to gaining more practical experiences and developing my knowledge of what it means to be a social worker.
My colleagues here at Nexus have given me a great insight into what it is like to be a social worker and it is thanks to them for the knowledge and understanding I have now.
I have attended various meetings alongside professionals from the agency as well as the local authority such as; looked after child reviews, personal education plans, placement planning meetings, therapeutic sessions and many more.
I feel that being a part of such professional, important meetings and the direct work I have undertaken with young people has guided to me to want to develop my career further.
Being part of an outstanding agency has made me feel I have the skills to become a social worker with their support and funding which I am so grateful for.
As a mature student I am looking forward to approaching a new chapter in my life and beginning the journey to the next step in my career in social work which is all thanks to Nexus Fostering.