I have been teaching,
for 36 years, in a variety of primary schools in: West Sussex; Norfolk; East
Sussex; and Germany. Although I have taught children between the ages of 6 and
13 my favourite age is 10-11 as the children still have that awe and wonder
mixed with independence. I enjoy arts and crafts particularly painting and
drawing.
My role, in 5 Fostering, is working with the Business Support Group as a Business Manager. A few of my new roles will include processing carer payments and managing finances, managing and auditing Charms to help keep us Ofsted ready, working with Katie to develop the recruitment materials and attending initial visits to prospective carers, helping to organise family events and running the Newsletter. We are also hoping to develop the Voice of the Child.
I am a qualified Social Worker and registered with the HCPC. I have worked as a Social Worker on two continents covering over 30 years’ experience. I have covered all disciplines of social work from Adult Services (Psychiatric in the community) to children and families. I have managed residential units for teenagers under 8 years old and undertaken family and parenting assessments in preparation for court proceedings. I have also worked with UCAS. My passion lies with children and families, with a special concern for child safety and protection. I have worked as a supervising SW for over 10 years assisting foster carers to develop their fostering careers and supporting their placements.
I joined the 5Fostering team in 2016. My role has developed and I am currently the panel administrator. This involves all aspects of managing our foster carer panels: from booking meeting dates and ensuring that paperwork is updated and available for panel members, to taking the minutes at every panel meeting and dealing with all the post panel tasks. I enjoy my role as it brings me into contact with every member of the wider 5Fostering team. It is rewarding to see new carers get approved by the Agency Decision Maker and also to see our current carers receive positive feedback at their annual reviews.
Thanks to the support of 5Fostering’s management, I am also a ward councillor.
At 5Fostering I deal with the child placement referrals. On average we receive around 30 referrals a day. I am looking for potential matches between the child and foster carer. Any possible matches are then passed to our Social workers for their consideration. My role also includes the data input side of referrals onto Charms.
In my own time I like to walk my rescue dog Archie, and spend time with my family and friends.