When I joined Devon County Council in 2016 as a Family Practitioner, I had no idea where the journey would take me. My role was to support social workers and the children and families they worked with, and from my very first days in the Children and Families team, I knew I’d found something special.
It wasn’t long before I realised that social work wasn’t just something I enjoyed, it was what I wanted to do. So, with the support of Devon County Council, I took the leap and completed my social work degree through the Open University. Looking back, I’m still not quite sure how I managed it all! Studying full-time, working full-time, learning in my second language, and raising two children definitely kept me on my toes. It was challenging, but it also showed me what can be achieved when you’re surrounded by people who believe in you.
One of the things that has always stood out to me about Devon is how invested people are in helping you grow. Every step of my career has been supported by managers and mentors who encouraged me, challenged me, and helped me see opportunities I might never have considered. Over the years, I progressed from Newly Qualified Social Worker to Experienced Social Worker, then Advanced Social Worker, and for the last three years I’ve had the privilege of being a Team Manager.
I genuinely love my role. Yes, there are busy days, unpredictable days, and days where the coffee goes cold because you’ve forgotten where you put it! But there are also days when you see a family making real progress, when a social worker you’ve supported grows in confidence, or when your team pulls together to make a difference for a child. Those are the moments that remind me exactly why I chose this career.
As a Team Manager, my role isn’t just about managing work, it’s about creating an environment where people feel supported, valued and able to thrive. I love coaching others, celebrating their achievements, and helping them develop their own careers. Seeing someone realise they’re capable of more than they thought is one of the most rewarding parts of my job.
If someone had told me back in 2016 that I’d be leading a team just a few years later, I probably wouldn’t have believed them. But that’s what’s possible when you’re given the right opportunities and the right support. I’m incredibly proud of the journey I’ve been on, and I’m even prouder to now be in a position where I can help others begin their own.
If you’re thinking about a career in social work with Devon, my advice would be simple: be open to every opportunity, ask questions, lean on the people around you, and believe in yourself.
Kasia
Team Manager
Children and Families team – South