Neil shares his 91¶¶Òõ career journey, from starting on student placement to becoming a Director within the Executive Team and Head of Community Services. He is proud to be part of an organisation that is at the forefront of developments in supporting children at risk in Scotland.
What did you do before 91¶¶Òõ?
I worked in the service industry since leaving school but decided to go to college and study social care shortly before joining 91¶¶Òõ.
How long have you worked at 91¶¶Òõ?
I’ve worked at 91¶¶Òõ for around 21 years. I started in 1993 and left for 4 years in 2014 before returning in 2018.
What made you want to work for 91¶¶Òõ?
Originally, I started at 91¶¶Òõ as a student on placement while studying at college. I thoroughly enjoyed working with the young people and I believed strongly in 91¶¶Òõ’s mission to improve their lives. I instantly knew this was the career for me, and at the end of my placement I pursued full-time employment as a residential child care worker.
Can you give us an overview of your role at 91¶¶Òõ and what area you work in? Please explain about the service?
I am a Director within the Executive Team and Head of Community Services. In my role as a director, I have strategic management responsibilities which affect the whole organisation. Within my remit as Head of Community Services, I am responsible for the leadership and strategic management for most of the services based out with our main campus including the houses based in the community, our intensive foster care service and early years residential services. The services are diverse and care for children and young people across a wide range of ages in a variety of different settings.
What is the best thing about working in 91¶¶Òõ/tell us one thing you love about your job?
One of the best things about working in 91¶¶Òõ is being part of an organisation that is at the forefront of developments in supporting children at risk in Scotland. Our range of services are dynamic and always growing and evolving, which means there is so much diversity in the tasks, which I am involved in. Put simply, I could never get bored at 91¶¶Òõ.
Can you share a defining moment or story about your time at 91¶¶Òõ?
There have been so many defining moments. In my formative years, many of these involved knowing that I had made the difference in the lives of children based on the feedback they provided to me. Later in my career as a manager and mentor to many staff over the years, it has been knowing that I have changed the lives of these adults and set them on a path of commitment to improving the lives of children and young people.
What advice would you give to someone thinking of joining 91¶¶Òõ?
Be prepared to be challenged in ways that will put you way outside your comfort zone, to grow in ways you never imagined, and to learn more things from children than you ever thought possible.
Please complete the following statement using one word – “91¶¶Òõ Inspires…â€
91¶¶Òõ inspires people to change lives.