Katie - Student Social Worker, describes her experience with Nexus Fostering

Hi, I’m Katie a student social worker with Nexus Fostering in the South West team. I am a social worker because I enjoy working with people. I like to support people to reach their goals and overcome challenges, check out the link below to read my full story.

What made you get into social work?

I always knew that I wanted to work with children and that I wanted a career in where I could help children reach their full potential. I decided to take Child Development as a GCSE and this was where social work first came up as a carer option for me. Although I didn’t know much about the role, it wasn’t until A-Level Health and Social Care and A-Level Sociology that I started to understand more, and my interest grew.

Still very naive to the role, I applied for a place at the University of Gloucestershire to study Social Work and was accepted onto the course. Since then I have learnt so much while being a student and my passion for social work has grown throughout. My placement experiences have taught me so much, providing me with the opportunity to apply my knowledge to real life practice.

I am looking forward to completing my studies and undertaking my role as a Supervising Social Worker within Nexus, in which I know I will be supported and encouraged to develop my skills and knowledge further.

How long have you been a social worker for?

I am yet to be a qualified social worker and I'm nearing the end of my degree, in which I have spent 100 days on placement within Nexus and will be returning in July to complete my ASYE year. During my first placement on my degree, I undertook the role of a family group conference coordinator in which I worked with both adults and children. Undertaking advocacy with children was a very important part of this role, empowering them to have their voice heard within their conference. It was my role to bring family and friends together to create a plan for the child, identifying any support the family could provide ensuring the child/children’s needs were being met.

Many of the skills that I developed within my first placement have continued to support me within my final placement at Nexus. For example, child centered and person centered practice are both important to me and within Nexus I feel that both are promoted within the agency.

How many case loads do you have on average?

Currently, whilst I am a student within the team, I have been working with 4 families.

What’s the best part you enjoy about your job?

I enjoy meeting and working with new people, supporting our foster carers  and helping them to provide the best care for the children they care for. When you see the progress that our young people make it is so rewarding and empowering.

With the current crisis for the need of new foster carers, what would you say to someone considering to apply?

Nexus will provide you with the support you need to meet all children’s needs. Nexus will encourage your learning and development and empower you in providing the most effective care for the children you care for

What support do you give our carers?

Within Nexus we support foster carers through undertaking regular supervision to ensure that the child/children’s needs are being met. We are able to provide advice and guidance ensuring that everything is in place to guarantee both children and foster carers feel fully supported.

Nexus provides regular in house and online training for foster carers, which doesn’t only support continuous learning and development, but gives you the opportunity to meet other foster carers in your local area. Participation events are also held regularly and are a great way for children to play and interact with each other.

Give us some top tips on how you cope with being a social worker? – wellbeing/family time etc.

As a current student social worker, I am only at the beginning of my career. I have learnt the importance of keeping work and family life separate, I enjoy switching off and spending time with my family and friends. I feel that keeping this balance enables me to be the best I can be both professionally and personally.

If someone was considering becoming a social worker with Nexus, what would you say to them?

As a social worker within Nexus you will be supported, encouraged and empowered within your role.