What do you do? I'm a development officer for Save the Children in London.

I'm currently working on a number of projects including Ear to Listen,an independent advocacy service providing support and representation foryoung people excluded from school or at risk of being so.

What was the highlight of the past week? Closing a particularlychallenging case on the advocacy project, which resulted in a youngperson accessing education again after five months out.

What is the hardest aspect of your job? Trying to balance staying on topof the relevant theory while also carrying out casework.

What is the toughest decision you have had to take during yourcareer?

Deciding to work in rural Ethiopia for two years in my early 20s - beingaway from family and friends for two years was a hard decision but theexperience was amazing.

What other departments or organisations do you work with? On theadvocacy project we work with voluntary and statutory services who alsodeal with young people missing out on education. Our policy work ofteninvolves teaming up with other charities and organisations for greaterstrength when lobbying.

Why did you start working in children's services? I've always beeninterested in education, but never wanted to teach. I found that workingon issues like exclusion that affect young people's educationsignificantly, but are often seen as peripheral or problematic, is bothchallenging and fascinating.

What qualifications do you need to do your job? To get into the work I'mdoing now my experience of working in London with young people who weredisengaged from their education was more significant than myqualifications.

What advice would you give others wanting to do this kind of work? Bepatient - development work often takes time as changing attitudes andpolicy can be a long-term process. Make sure you enjoy what you do, andalways be prepared to work long hours when necessary.

What projects or challenges would you like to take on in the future?

I would like to work overseas again, preferably working on issues aroundchildren missing out on education.