Meet Hannah, Social Worker with the Adoption team…

My name is Hannah. I’m a Social Worker with the Adoption team in Buckinghamshire Council’s Children’s Services.

Originally, I worked in secondary school settings as a pastoral leader and inclusion worker before moving to Buckinghamshire in 2011, joining the Council as an Education Safeguarding Officer. Later, the Council sponsored me to study for a Social Work degree at the Open University. I have been qualified now for almost six years.

In my current role, I am the allocated Social Worker for children with adoption care plans. I am allocated children who already have Placement Orders granted and I work with Family Finding Social Workers and Adoption Social Workers to place children with adoptive families. I visit and provide support to these children and their new families until the Adoption Order is granted. I also liaise with birth parents, therapeutic providers, schools and health professionals to ensure that the child’s care plan is progressed.

I find it rewarding to see the children make good transitions to their new families and to watch how the relationships grow and develop over the first few weeks and months.

If you take on this role, it will be challenging, but know that you always have the backing and support of your team — they are so welcoming and willing to share their own skills and experiences.

I have had so much support from the Council over the years — I wouldn’t be a social worker if my first line manager hadn’t suggested that I apply for the OU programme! There is access to regular training and development, as well as monthly supervision and peer support. Plus, there are ongoing opportunities to develop your own interests/projects.

We are currently recruiting a Social Worker — Children (Part -Time). To find out more, and apply click here: https://bit.ly/3PRc5ot