As a care leaver herself, Lisa has always been keen to help others in a similar position. The Social Worker Degree Apprenticeship has helped her to improve her understanding of the reasons behind ways of working and the laws surrounding her cases – enabling her to better support both her clients and colleagues. Lisa won overall Apprentice of the Year and Health, Wellbeing and Care Apprentice of the Year at the North West Apprenticeship Awards 2023. She spoke to us about her experience on the programme. 

Lisa has also co-authored an article published by The British Journal of Social Work - Troubled and Troublesome Teenagers: Towards Critical and Relationship-based Practice

MAKING AN IMPACT 

I was introduced to the care system at a young age as growing up I was placed in different children’s homes. I eventually found some independence and was a Police Officer for 20 years. I then felt that I wanted to make an impact in a different way, so I decided to start in children’s services. I wanted to try and get to children at the beginning of their journey rather than at the end when there is very little available to them. 

CHOOSING A DEGREE APPRENTICESHIP  

I first heard about the Social Worker Degree Apprenticeship from my manager. At first, I believed I needed much more experience working in Children’s services. I also was very nervous about the studying part as I had not been to University and had only completed online studies for diplomas. However, after reading about it and speaking with others who had recently done the course, I decided to apply. I was well supported by my manager and service unit lead. 

A POSITIVE IMPACT ON WAYS OF WORKING 

By undertaking the degree apprenticeship, I have had to make changes to the way in which I work, the way in which I live and time spent with people who are important to me. However, after two years in the apprenticeship, I have learnt so much about effective ways of working that means I actually save time by utilising my new knowledge. In my personal life I have learnt that people who want the best for me understand that I cannot give them as much time as before, but the time we do spend together is quality time. The most difficult was having to re-sit my maths. It has been a long time since I studied or used real maths, but after two attempts, I finally completed it with a respectful 78% result, which was one of the highest in the country. 

MAKING A DIFFERENCE 

There are many examples where I’ve used a combination of my learning and life experience to support families I work with. 

Case 1 

Recently, I was working with a family where, due to parental abuse, the children were removed and placed in foster care. I was studying for my law exam and as such I understood much more about the policies and procedures that were needed for the family to be reunited. I introduced mum to other agencies and sources of parenting support. As a result she made good positive relationships with others in her situation and this opened her eyes to the other support available to her and she accepted it. The children were eventually returned to mum and now they live happy together – safe and loved, with the appropriate support in place. Mum was even asked to share her experience with others, as she had engaged so positively. 

Case 2 

In another situation, mum was in a relationship with a sex offender. The current social worker was quite new and it was apparent that there was clash of personalities. I intervened and from the life experience I’d gained from my work in the police, I understood how to interact with offenders. My relationship and knowledge supported me in speaking with mum and having her realise what a dangerous situation her new-born baby girl was in, how to deal with her partner positively and how to have self-confidence and ensure safety for them both. 

Eventually, mum made the positive decision to end the relationship and contact was done by supervision. This only lasted a few weeks and the male party has decided he does not want to be around and has moved out of the area. 

Although I am still supporting her with moving forward, both mum and baby are safe. With positive interventions, she has learnt new skills and tools to be a good mother, and neither are at risk. The social worker has informed me that she learnt so much from me and was grateful for my intervention. 

LINKING STUDY TO THE WORKPLACE 

Although I’ve always been supportive of my colleagues, the knowledge I’ve gained through the course has helped me to provide more support. I now better understand why a social worker has chosen a certain route, or why a manager has made a decision. My life experience also helps with understanding, having new ideas and showing my colleagues how to deal with challenging interventions and engagements. 

I start my final year in September and I hope to spend a significant amount of time working on a few cases with Frontline. I am excited to be able to see what is done from the start to the end: paperwork, court work, interventions, requests and anything that I do not see from my current role.  

A COMMITMENT TO THE JOB 

I think when employers see that you have been committed to an apprenticeship, as well as completing a full-time job, balancing that with family life, it shows them you are committed to your job and making a difference to the people who you work with. While full time education may dissuade someone from undertaking a degree, the degree apprenticeship strikes the sweet spot where academic knowledge meets real world practical experience.  

Find out more about our Social Worker Degree Apprenticeship.