Getting Started Case studies

Monica, Assistant Care Manager

"My first career was as a tailor. My second was in business with my husband in vehicle breakdown and recovery services. When we closed the business I took an administrative job with Bromley Social Services working in the department that organised homecare services. Naturally, this involved direct contact with users and staff which I really enjoyed. When an opportunity came up, I moved into front-line work as a social services officer in the same department. I found I had a whole new interest. I took an Open University course in psychology, studying in my own time. Now I’ve started on a social work degree course, combining employment and study, supported by my employer. I’m in my first year, spending 1 day a week at South Bank University, plus 4 full week blocks spread through the year. Over the rest of the course I’ll spend 100 days placement at a family centre, and 100 days in a mental health service. The course is really stimulating. You learn so much and come to appreciate other points of view than your own. There’s a good mix of ages among the students which means there’s a rich variety of experience and outlook among the group."