We believe in working together, sharing knowledge, and building better futures for children – together.
So, with a network of 22 Welsh local authorities, there are plenty of friendly faces behind the scenes (and in front) who have experience they can share.
Here, Mel, our Regional Development Manager, shares his story of working in social care, what inspired him to join this area of work, and the importance of building strong relationships.
caring from the start: my early life and career
I’ve been involved in social care since I was very young.
My mum was severely physically disabled for most of her life with a really high level of arthritis.
Growing up, I did my own washing, shopping and cooking. So, it’s always been instilled in me to help people who can’t do something themselves.
I’ve always had that in the back of my mind.
It’s what I grew up with.
I went to college to study a weird combination of drama and social policy. Then, after college, I set up a theatre company with a friend.
It was brilliant!
I really enjoyed finding different ways to share things that were happening in the world.
But then I hurt my back quite badly and I had to do a bit of a stop and think.
I began work as a community service volunteer, providing physical support for people with severe physical disabilities, so they were able to live in their own homes.
That’s when I started to think about the importance of relationships because, in that role, quite quickly you’re involved in somebody’s significant personal care.
I remember one guy who I worked with quite a lot.
He had cerebral palsy, was wheelchair bound, had limited control of involuntary movements, and his speech was very distinctive. He had a well-paid job, and I was enabling him to live his life.
So, in my mid-late 20s, I ended up working in a social care organisation that was supporting people with physical disabilities. I then moved on to working with adults with learning difficulties which was community-based.
I remember thinking how incredibly important the quality of relationships you could maintain with people was, particularly for people who perhaps had difficulties themselves in maintaining their own relationships and helping them to find ways to develop a social network.
It is quite challenging managing both the personal and professional sides of things, but I love the challenge of maintaining those relationships as a professional person.
taking the next step: how I become a social worker
I worked in disability provider services, mostly in London Hackney and Islington, a very different environment to when I moved up to North Wales and decided to qualify as a social worker studying under the old Diploma in Social work at Coleg Menai, Bangor.
I fully intended to work in adult mental health and had an amazing placement at a Mental health unit.
My second placement though was with Ceredigion children’s team and the work captured my heart, working with families and direct work with children, often in emotionally complex times for them felt so rewarding.
From that experience, I knew I wanted to work in frontline child protection and court work, which I enjoyed for 14 years.
I often reflect back on those early years when I go into colleges to speak with trainee social workers.
As social workers, we have to develop relationships quite quickly, do that professionally, but do it genuinely.
After all, when it was first created, social services was known as ‘the personal and social services’. We’re so involved in people’s personal lives, we can’t do that impersonally.
You can’t go in and assess somebody and just do it like you’re ticking some boxes.
You need to be able to engage and do so professionally and personably to give them the opportunity to see a way forward.
If you do it going in with your clipboard, you’re not really going to understand what’s going on for this family because they’re going to tell you what you need to know to tick that box.
why I love being a social worker: a case example
One of the main benefits of being a social worker is the relationships we build and the support we provide children and families.
I feel incredibly privileged to have the opportunity to meet people from many different walks of life that perhaps I wouldn’t otherwise meet.
If I can give hope, encouragement, or just clear practical advice so they trust me, I’ve done my job.
However, removing children from families is a challenge.
I worked with one woman who was a heroin addict, as was the father to the children, and the children were taken into care.
You’d think she would hate me. After all, I took her children off her.
But, the relationship that she’s got with me is really important to her because she trusts what I say, even if that’s something that she doesn’t want to hear.
She eventually got clean from drugs and the relationship ended, and she was on a positive path forward.
She turned up to every contact with her children on time, providing drug test results (clean every time), and starting a new relationship with someone who had no history with drugs.
They were just doing great.
The children wanted to be with mum, and their brothers and sisters.
And it’s worked out for her.
The care system was there for her and her children when she was trapped in a storm. With the right support, she found a safe harbour, and got to a good place where they can live together as a family again.
It’s a nice story.
She’s now a nain. I see them around and they still stop and smile and nod.
Read more: Personal and professional: The importance of relationships in foster care
my role now
After 14 years as a qualified social worker and team manager, I took the opportunity to come and manage the fostering service in Gwynedd.
I wanted opportunities to develop longer term relationships with people, and I’ve known many of our foster carers for many years.
My own wishes to develop the fostering service in Gwynedd, then aligned with the development of what was then called the National Fostering Framework. I had been closely involved almost from its beginning and I found a common theme in its aims and objectives.
I am now proud to be Regional Development Manager for Foster Wales, alongside my team manager role.
could you help make a difference?
If you’re inspired by Mel’s story and would like to join the Foster Wales team, you can view our current vacancies on the We Care Wales website.
Alternatively, for more information on becoming a foster carer, simply explore this site and reach out to your local Foster Wales team.
With a network across Wales, you’re sure to be connected with a friendly face in your area.
