Leonard

“I joined DCC in 2016 as an overseas social worker, having worked in Zimbabwe and South Africa. I was in the Children and Families team based at Taw View (North Devon), and this was the perfect start for my career in the UK as I was fully supported by my manager, the Children’s Social Work Academy, and my colleagues.

“I have a lived and learned experience of disability, and my passion was always to work in the disability field. So when an opportunity came knocking in 2018, I did not hesitate to make the move😊. This was truly a massive turnaround in my career, and I have enjoyed every moment to date. I worked with a very experienced team and a team manager who I describe as an ‘expert’ in developing practitioners. By the end of 2020, I felt prepared and confident to step up to become an advanced social worker. The support from the team manager further encouraged me to apply and become a member of the National Advisory Forum with Social Work England.

“The step into management from social work practice was a personal and professional challenge, and I decided to become a team manager in March 2022.

“A team manager knows each member of their team and their strengths, weaknesses and career aspirations and supports them to become the best versions of themselves. The manager creates an environment where individual abilities are harnessed to support team objectives to improve the safety and well-being of children and families in Devon.

“The role of a team manager is hugely rewarding, supporting social workers to achieve positive outcomes for people with lived experience, reflecting on practice in supervision, encouraging staff as they develop and grow as practitioners, and building positive teams where good social work practice can flourish.”