My name is Anna Knight, I’m a Team Manager for a Health and Social Care Team in Adult Social Care.
When did you start at Devon County Council?
I started working for Devon County Council in 2005 as a Business Support Clerk. I enjoyed reading about the work social workers were completing with people and decided to work towards my own social work career. Devon County Council offered a flexible working contract to enable me to attend college and university.
Can you give an overview of your role?
My role involves managing members of the Health and Social Care Team, ensuring their wellbeing, employment and development needs are met. We complete assessments and reviews, so I allocate work and support discussions where a person’s needs are complex. I also chair safeguarding and best interest’s meetings.
I work in an integrated team which means as well as working with colleagues from different departments in Devon County Council, I also work closely with Health including co-managing some members of staff which supports different elements of practice.
How did you come to be in this role?
I enjoyed reading about the work social workers were completing with people and decided to work towards my own social work career.
I have since gained experience of working in the Assessment and Review Team, in Community Health and Social Care and Hospital Discharge.
I decided to apply for a management post in the Community Health and Social Care team because the breadth of the role enables me to maintain my practice knowledge but also provides new learning opportunities because it is so varied. It is genuinely a job where no two days are the same.
What’s your favourite part of what you do?
Being a manager has enabled me to develop my strategic social work skills, thinking about the wider needs of the community I work in while still responding to individual’s situations, whether that is via staff supervision or directly, where the work we are completing is particularly complex. It can be the best of both worlds because you can use the management skills while maintaining your core social work practice.
How have you progressed through your role?
I worked flexibly in an assessment role while I undertook my Social Work Degree and then returned to Devon County Council full time as a Newly Qualified Social Worker.
I worked in social care for a number of years before applying to be a Team Manager. I’ve managed teams in acute and community hospitals and Community Health and Social Care settings. I have also been able to undertake secondments in Practice Lead and Deputy Community Services Manager roles.
What benefits do you enjoy? For example, flexible working, (working from home), good pension etc…
One of the main benefits of working for Devon County Council for me has been the opportunities for progression. It’s a large organisation so there are lots of ways to gain experience in an area of work that is of interest to you as well as secondments and job openings. We often work with students and newly qualified social workers which helps with keeping my own practice up to date and helps to continue the profession.
What else do you enjoy about your job?
I really enjoy the variety of the team manager role. You’re able to develop an oversight of your own area but also link in with colleagues across the county to develop practice ideas and services. There’s often opportunity to join county-wide projects that influence practice and regular management and peer support via county-wide meetings and information sessions. We have access to a wide network of practice support and training so you feel well informed and supported in your role.
What do you enjoy about living and working in Devon?
Devon is a really lovely county to live in. You can easily get to nature attractions as well as cities and towns. It’s a nice area for families and pets or to spend a weekend with friends getting a meal or drinks. Whatever your interests are, you’re likely to find a good work/life balance in Devon.