Meet Kerry a Family Support Worker

What is a family support worker?

A support worker forms part of the professional team around a child or young person in care. They provide a range of individual programmes including therapeutic family interventions that promote attachment, strengthen placement stability, and avoid placement breakdowns. Day to day duties include supervising contact, transporting children to school, attending meetings, and taking the children and young people for days out and other activities.  The relationship between a family support worker and young person is pivotal in the young person’s journey. They are someone the young person can talk to independently and a responsible adult they can spend time with. They’re a role model and a mentor, someone who can have a big impact in a young person’s life. At Nexus Fostering we have a Family Support Worker in each of our offices to support the children & young people.

We spoke with Kerry the Family Support Worker in East Midlands

What did you do before this role?

I have worked with children my whole working lifetime within many different roles! In my spare time I enjoy watching TV and going for long walks. I also enjoy going to the gym.

Before this role I was the deputy manager of an out of school club which I still regularly visit still for the odd cup of tea and chat with the children to see how they are doing and catch up with what is going on in their lives.

What support do you provide our families and young people?

Within this role I have numerous responsibilities. I am there to support the child to positively grow as a person, be that emotionally, physically or mentally. I am there to safeguard their needs and assist them in any way they find beneficial. I am there to chat to and to be silly around but most of all my role is to just be there, consistently, and unwaveringly. The support I offer can range from supporting children to develop their self-esteem, interests, and ability to fight their fears safely. I work alongside SSW’s, in house clinicians, and the children’s foster carers to provide the best outcome for the child.

What challenges do you face in your role?

The most challenging part of this role is the children’s inability to see in themselves what I see in them.

What do you find rewarding about the role and do you have any standout memories?

Seeing a child achieve something they don’t believe they can achieve as the excitement is as real for them as it is for me! I have many standout memories!

One of my children has become a very confident swimmer and is fast passing her grades and I believe this is not only down to the determination of the child but down to the additional swimming sessions we have together that has built her confidence! Another child really wanted to climb up to the top of a park climbing web and with support from me was able to achieve this and it was just amazing to see that accomplishment in his face!

Find out about the other support we offer our families here