The nurturing way in which the course was overseen really helped with boosting my confidence and in preparing me to enter the workplace

We asked Florrie about her career and how the degree helped her in pursuing this vocation.

What are the main responsibilities in your role?

I am a Social Worker with children in care between the ages of 0-18. The role is focused on ensuring that these children and young people have the best possible chances and outcomes whilst they are in the care of the local authority. Our statutory duty to the children we work with is to visit them at home, to hold termly education meetings to look at how best to support them and to attend twice yearly reviews chaired by an Independent Reviewing Officer. In between, no day is the same! I feel very lucky to have found such an exciting and rewarding area of work, where there is a real opportunity to make a difference for our young people.

Briefly outline any previous roles you've had prior to your current position.

As a Young Carer Worker, I worked with young carers between the ages of 5-16, providing a listening ear and putting on social activities. As an Advocacy and Information Officer for children with muscle-wasting conditions, I was based at Great Ormond Street Hospital and advocated for the services and equipment that these children were entitled to.

How has the BA Education, Childhood and Culture or time at the University of Sheffield helped you in your career?

The course was very vibrant and diverse, touching on theories in both the fields of sociology and psychology. As a Social Worker these are foundational to the role and aid in helping to understand the complex individual and family situations that we work with, therefore informing plans as to what should happen next. On a personal note, the nurturing way in which the course was overseen really helped with boosting my confidence and in preparing to leave university to enter the workplace.

What do you think is your greatest achievement to date?

I am really proud to have both qualified as a Social Worker and to have completed an MPhil in Psychology and Education at the University of Cambridge.

What career advice would you give to current BA Education, Childhood and Culture students?

Have a “can do” attitude: if there are more aspects of the person specification that you feel you can meet than not, then apply for the job!