Our family help journey - six months of practice

I earned my psychology degree in 1994 and qualified from Leicester University in 1998. My early career involved working in children’s residential and family assessment units and from 1998 to 2003, I was part of the children’s safeguarding team at Leicester City Council. In 2003, I moved to Hampshire, starting as a Social Worker and advancing to Assistant Team Manager, then Team Manager, and now District Manager. Playing a key role in the development and implementation of our Family Help model, I am passionate about the maintaining the welfare of vulnerable children across Hampshire.

I joined HCC is 1997 as a Child and Family Support Worker and gained my social work qualification in 2001. I worked within child protection and children in care between 2002 and 2011 when I progressed to Assistant Team Manager and Team manager in 2013. I spent 10 years as a Children in Care Team Manager and this is where I discovered my passion for change, supporting change and being part of Hampshire’s transition towards being Outstanding. I became a District Manager in 2022 at a time where we were moving into our biggest transition in a generation, Family Help. I have really enjoyed being part of this process and seeing the difference that we are making to the children, young people, their carers and families on a daily basis.

With two decades of experience as a social worker, I specialise in supporting children and families. Currently, I am the Service Manager for separated children and the Homes for Ukraine initiative. My portfolio includes strategic leadership for refugee children and families, Family Help, and my primary area of interest, domestic abuse. My dedication to these causes drives my commitment to making a positive impact in the lives of the most vulnerable in society.