Gary
Consultant Social Worker, North East
Prior to taking up my current role as a Frontline consultant social worker (CSW) I had worked in another authority as a CSW in a social work unit for nearly four years. I had seen firsthand the value of working in a unit, how it encourages you to reflect, challenge and consider families’ circumstances from multiple perspectives. When I saw the post of Frontline CSW, I knew it would be an exciting opportunity to do something different but continue working in a way which I am really passionate about.
I would definitely say the role has encouraged me to slow down. Participants want to understand your thought process when making decisions and this has encouraged me to be clearer, as well as more focussed and considered.
One of the most challenging aspects of the role is the importance of keeping a cool head at all times. Working in such close proximity to each other means that becoming visibly over-anxious can affect everyone in the unit.
The role has given me the opportunity to go back to basics, slowing things down and giving me the opportunity to spend time with the participants thinking about how we can best support children and families. Seeing the participants’ journeys across the year has been such a pleasure, their growing confidence and autonomy and observing the excellent direct work they are undertaking makes the challenges worth it.
Unit meetings are a great way of seeing the progress participants are making. It also allows you to explore the journey of the children and families that we support. When I consider how the participants contributed to these meetings at the start of the year compared to now, it is amazing to see the progress they have made.
The unit is also supported by a practice tutor from Frontline. They visit regularly and attend many of the unit meetings too, although the frequency reduces as the year progresses. As well as supporting the participants with the academic side of the course they are always on hand for the CSW for advice and guidance when you need it.
It’s a great role that’s varied and different. You have the chance to remain in practice whilst supporting and developing participants throughout their journey. The unit model really gives you the chance to think about your cases and plan well thought-out interventions.
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Niketa
Through the Fellowship, I’ve been able to stay in touch with developments in the profession through the leadership series and develop my interviewing and assessment skills through work on the Frontline assessment centre.

Jonny Hoyle
Firstline has helped me look at how I manage my staff. It’s helped me identify that whilst I’m good at managing performance I’m not great at interacting with extreme levels of emotions.

Oldham Council
Frontline has provided a varied, dynamic and challenging model of practice with families, which has impacted positively on the development of the students, managers and practitioners within the teams.

Northumberland County Council
The Firstline programme has really improved the motivation of participants who now have the confidence to try different approaches to difficult situations.

Gary
When I saw the post of Frontline CSW, I knew it would be an exciting opportunity to do something different but continue working in a way which I am really passionate about.