Lesley O'Donnell is a children and families social worker in the family support team of Stockport Council's children and young people's directorate. She qualified at Manchester Metropolitan University in July last year.
What did you do before training as a social worker?
I started with a psychology degree back in the 1990s, when my eldest daughter started school. That opened doors for me into this kind of work. I volunteered as an advocate for children and young people in care in Salford for a few hours a week, going into children's residential homes and into a local secure unit. That led me to apply for a job in Manchester as a family support worker. It was very hands-on, but without the responsibility, without the assessments and without the decision making.
Register Now to Continue Reading
Thank you for visiting Children & Young People Now and making use of our archive of more than 60,000 expert features, topics hubs, case studies and policy updates. Why not register today and enjoy the following great benefits:
What's Included
-
Free access to 4 subscriber-only articles per month
-
Email newsletter providing advice and guidance across the sector
Already have an account? Sign in here
