Hear from our colleagues
Alisha - Senior Practitioner
"Horizon is a very supportive team, you can rely on your colleagues and management to support you to manage the risk levels in your team and you are never managing this alone! The team has so many links through Coventry and close links with West Midlands Police, Youth Justice Service and charity organisations to ensure there is a strong package of support in place to disrupt and reduce the risk of exploitation to our young people in Coventry.”
Zahra - Advanced Social Worker
My name is Zahra, and I am a Social Worker working in the South Area Help and Protection Team in Coventry Children's Services since May 2021. I graduated from Coventry University in 2018. My initial goal was to work within the voluntary sector however these roles enabled me to witness first-hand the challenges that front-line Social Workers faced in the role, but also the rewards of working with children and families to improve outcomes for the children. I always felt like I was stuck within the glass ceiling of the voluntary sector.
My journey to social work has not been an easy one. However, one thing I can truly share is the level of support you are offered in Coventry is second to none. As an employer, Coventry is supportive and has helped me grow through opportunities inside and outside the organisation. The process for development in my role is clear, and opportunities are often presented. Managers have been supportive of my needs. Managers are always around for advice and guidance when required.
Tinashe - Social Worker
I had the pleasure of joining Coventry City Council in August 2023. I am grateful to be a part of the South Area Help and Protection Team, where I am surrounded by supportive management and team members who are always willing to offer assistance and encouragement. This positive work environment has helped me gain confidence in my abilities, which in turn allows me to provide the best possible services to our families. I also appreciate the continuous training opportunities provided by the Council, as they contribute to my ongoing professional development.
Karen - Karen Social Worker
My name is Karen Green and I am a Social Worker working in the South Area Help and Protection Team in Coventry Children's Services since September 2021. I made the decision in 2020 to retrain as a Social Worker following a 35 year working history in the private and education sectors. I joined Coventry through the Frontline training programme for Social Workers in September 2020 where I was able to work in frontline social work whilst completing my Postgraduate Diploma. This enabled me to witness first-hand the challenges that front-line Social Workers faced in the role, but also the rewards of working with children and families to improve outcomes for the children we work with.
Coventry is supportive as an employer, always encouraging my development through internal and external opportunities to access training and keep my skills updated, as well as learning new ones. There is a clear process for development in my role, and opportunities to do this, as well as move to other areas if social work if I choose to. Managers are supportive of my needs and on hand for advice and guidance when required, and always looking at new ways to support staff to ensure they can try and meet the everchanging needs of the role.
Matt - Senior Practitioner
"I am an Advanced Practitioner working in a Help and Protection team and really enjoy the work I do. I am supported by my manager and have always been given the time and space to reflect. I really do feel that the positive and collaborative culture at Coventry Children's Services has enabled me to work holistically with families and achieve long-lasting and successful outcomes for them.
Working in Coventry has been great for my professional development and there are regular opportunities to undertake training and attend workshops. I am looking forward to continuing my career within Coventry and the progression that this may bring."
Maisie – Advanced Social Worker
“Through Care is an especially supportive team, where everyone has been friendly and welcoming. Throughcare are great at coming up with activities that are great for young people as well as the staff!! This was true even through the height of lockdown where everyone came together to support the most vulnerable young people through initiatives like ‘Meals on Wheels’.
No day is the same and I am never bored, there are challenges but with the right team and support around you, which luckily I have, I can manage these and hopefully do my job well.”
Aga - Leaving Care Team Leader
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I started my professional journey with Coventry Children’s Services in 2018, following the move from a different LA, where I used to work for 7 years. It was a hard decision to relocate from London, but I was very impressed with Coventry’s resources and aspirations to improve the services provided to most vulnerable young people and their families. My commitment and passion of working with young people were quickly recognised and Through Care team has given me opportunities to develop professionally from a social worker to a team leader level role. I enjoy being part of Through Care service, taking part in innovative projects, always improving the service provided to our young people and their families, which would not be possible without a great supportive management on both professional and personal level."
Matt - Team Manager
"I studied social work at Coventry University 15 years ago and thoroughly enjoyed studying and being in placement in Coventry. This is the fourth Local Authority I have worked and the past two years here in Coventry have been the most positive time of my social worker career so far. Coventry’s ethos and working practices are directly in line with my own, working with and for the Children and families in Coventry. Coventry’s family-valued approach has enabled restorative working practices to be embedded in the work that is undertaken with the children and families in Coventry and I am extremely proud to be part of that. I have been a permanent member of Coventry City Council since May 2023 and I have not looked back."
Farai - Operational Lead
"I have worked for Coventry City Council since 2017 and started off as a Social Worker in the East Area. Having grown up in Coventry I am proud to work here and it really is a job that I enjoy! The benefits of working in Coventry are the training and development. Having recently taken part in the LeadHERship course, this has really improved my knowledge of leadership and helped in my confidence as a woman in leadership. The positive work culture and the support I have received on my journey has allowed me to grow and develop to the Social Worker and Operational Lead that I am today."
Joshua – Team Manager
“I started in Coventry Children’s Services as a newly qualified social worker and have progressed and developed into a Team Manager role. There is so much support and in-depth training opportunities here, which continue to give me more tools and skills I can use in my practice.
No day is the same, the children and families which we work with are unique, it can often be challenging but is always rewarding when we work in collaboration with young people and families to set goals to achieve change and create an everlasting footprint on their lives.”
Rapinder - Independent Reviewing Officer
I have worked for Coventry since 2015 and have worked across both frontline child protection and looked-after teams. During my time I have had a really positive experience and always felt valued, despite the pressures which exist in any social work role. During my career I did venture away from Coventry for a couple of years in the private sector, however very much missed being part of Coventry and what it had to offer.
What has been consistent is the supportive nature of colleagues, managers and senior managers, who have always been very involved and open to listening to staff, to make a change, so we can do the best job possible to support our young people and families. I am proud of how far Coventry has come and it is a great place to work and celebrate social work practice, I continue to love the work I do and feel Coventry has been very much the reason for this!
Chantelle – Team Manager
I started my career with Coventry City Council as a newly qualified social worker. I have been able to grow and develop my skills as a social worker and now I am a Team Manager. This has been made possible through the support of learning from my colleagues and always having supportive and encouraging managers. It has been evidenced throughout my career with Coventry that everyone within the role strives to work in the best interest of children, young people and their families to ensure they receive the best outcomes and are the centre of decision-making. Through times of difficulty, everyone works as a team and I am proud to work for Coventry City Council.
Danielle – Team Manager
“I started my career with Coventry City Council as a newly qualified social worker 9 years ago! I have been able to grow and develop my skills as a social worker and now I am a Team Manager. This has been made possible through the support of learning from my colleagues and always having supportive and encouraging managers. It has been evidenced throughout my career with Coventry that everyone within the role strives to work in the best interest of children, young people and their families to ensure they receive the best outcomes and are the centre of decision-making. Through times of difficulty, everyone works as a team and I am proud to work for Coventry City Council.”