Leona Stevenson: Children's Services Social Worker Of The Year
Earlier this year, Leona Stevenson was awarded with the Children’s Services social worker of the year award.
How did you feel when you won the social worker of the year award in March?
I was completely surprised... Just before they presented the award they had two care leavers talking about how they had been empowered by social workers; I was so lost in their words that I lost track of where I was. Then, the next thing I heard was someone saying my name and my manager was nudging me to go onto the stage. It hasn’t changed since – I’m still completely in shock.
Tell us a bit about the work that your team does?
I’m based in the Children Looked After Team. We work with children or young people with care plans for long-term care or care permanently away from their birth families. We assess the needs of the young people that have been referred to us, and devise a care plan based on the identified needs. These get reviewed regularly.
We work from children who are a few months old, through to those who are 18. I find myself working with the young people for a significant length of time – you get to know them and they get to know you, which makes the challenging times easier.
What sort of work do you do day to day?
I would love to answer this but I genuinely don’t know how to! I suppose on a monthly basis, we have statutory duties to complete but what you do on one day usually depends on where your first meeting is. You have to try to manage your diary to allow for journey times. However, you could get a text or email or phone call in the morning that changes all your carefully made plans for that day!
How long have you been a social worker?
I qualified in Northern Ireland in 2007, so about 8 years. I spent the first two years in a hospital setting then moved into a job similar to the one I’m doing now for three years. I moved over here in 2012. I applied to a couple of places in England... I looked at Ofsted, the relocation packages offered, opportunities for staff learning and other things. Hertfordshire was then actually the only interview that I did. It definitely stood out.
What inspired you to become a social worker?
One of my best friends at school had Cerebral Palsy and he had a social worker who he spoke really positively about. I thought if I could do that as a job, I would have achieved something. The Black Eye Peas’ song ‘Where is the Love’ came out at the same time too and that made me consider jobs where I could make a change.
What would you say is the best thing about your job?
No day is the same and you come across so many different people. You think that you know something, but then something or someone will push you intellectually or emotionally and change this. There’s an old saying ‘choose a job you love, and you will never have to work a day in your life’ and it’s true… not saying every day is perfect though!
What would you say is the hardest thing about your job?
Paperwork! You want to spend as much time as possible with the children and families but there’s a lot of bureaucracy and report-writing…
What would you say is your biggest career achievement to date?
Definitely winning the social worker of the year award – I’m very proud to have won.
Where do you see yourself in 5 years’ time?
Hopefully, I’ll be in a more senior position. I don’t see myself moving from Hertfordshire or the team but definitely in a more senior position.
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