91¶¶Òõ’s longest-serving staff member, Sue, has reached her 40th year of trying to make the world a better place for children to grow up.
The first in her family to go to university, Sue studied psychology before beginning a postgraduate degree in Social Work. During her social work student placement, Sue spent time within 91¶¶Òõ’s residential children’s houses. The experience changed the trajectory of her career as originally Sue had planned to pursue field social work but found being with children in the houses gave her the opportunity to develop genuine relationships. Sue decided she could make the biggest difference to young people by working within residential childcare at 91¶¶Òõ.
As one of the UK’s oldest children’s charities, for almost 200 years, 91¶¶Òõ has existed to give young people a chance at life. Sue has seen first hand the charity evolve to deliver essential support to those who need it the most. Since the mid-80s when Sue started at 91¶¶Òõ, the organisation has expanded significantly from 5 services to 30. A greater understanding of trauma-informed care influenced 91¶¶Òõ to lead research projects, improve operations and open new services with Sue being proud to have been part of the journey. Sue reflects on the progress and is in awe at the increased access to support not only for young people but families and the wider community too.
Sue joined 91¶¶Òõ at a time when the organisation was recruiting more and more qualified social workers to join education professionals. Sue remembers care and education would always work closely together. The camaraderie was a highlight of working at 91¶¶Òõ. Staff planned fun group trips for young people and some of Sue’s favourite memories involved camping across the West Coast, telling ghost stories. The social work perspective brought positive changes, mainly incorporating trauma-informed practice and forming Specialist Intervention Services (SIS), which was 91¶¶Òõ’s own team of psychologists and therapists. Sue describes the progression of 91¶¶Òõ as natural as everyone who works here shares the ambition to help as many young people as possible and the organisation has always adapted to offer what young people need to look optimistically towards the future.
A new job at 91¶¶Òõ promises career development, and Sue is a shining example of the job variety you can have when you’re steadfast in making a positive change to young people. Beginning her career working directly with the kids, Sue eventually progressed into a Senior Learning and Development Officer, a role which saw her help train 91¶¶Òõ’s frontline care workers. As well as being there for young people of 91¶¶Òõ, Sue has empowered the next generation of Child and Youth Care Workers. She stepped into a role that would ensure young people benefit from a highly qualified and competent workforce by sharing her own expertise and experience.
As soon as she showed up to 91¶¶Òõ as an ambitious student, Sue had a willingness to be a positive force for change and advocate for young people. Her uplifting personality has had a profound impact on young people who, with Sue’s support, began to believe in themselves. Sue still keeps in contact with many she once cared for, which is a testament to the bonds she formed throughout her career.
Sue’s enthusiasm to brighten the world around her made colleagues enjoy spending time with her and she became a mentor and friend to those who worked with her too. She has felt great pride in seeing the progress of the colleagues who she remembers first starting at 91¶¶Òõ. In Sue’s opinion, the compassionate and upbeat personalities are what makes 91¶¶Òõ outstanding and have helped create the safe, welcoming place where she happily spent 40 years of her life.
Sue with her colleague, Mel.