Our stories

“There’s nothing more fulfilling than helping and empowering people to make a positive difference in their lives.”

Our Adult Social Care service now offer a return to practice programme for Social Workers and Occupational Therapists. We caught up with Ramona Budisan, Social Worker in our Sedgemoor and West Somerset team, to hear about her return to practice journey.

Why did you decide you wanted to return to practice?

I think there’s nothing more fulfilling than helping and empowering people to make a positive difference in their lives. I was born in Romania, where I qualified as a Social Worker in 2008. I came to the UK at the end of 2014 to visit friends who lived in Somerset. I fell in love with the country and decided to move here. It’s been a challenging time for me due to my limited English. Working as a Social Worker in the UK seemed an impossible dream but my passion and determination proved more powerful. 

Outline the structure you followed to allow you to become familiar with practice again?

Before working for Somerset County Council, I undertook the ‘updating’ required by HCPC. This involved studying at Bridgwater and Taunton College and reading case studies, legislation, research and articles about social work. I volunteered for Somerset You Can Do Services and Route1 Advocacy & Independent Visitors, which helped me understand the boundaries and the legislation we work with. I then applied for my Social Work registration with HCPC, which I successfully obtained in January 2017. 

Prior to starting my journey with Somerset County Council, I worked in Adult Social Care for a few private companies. The knowledge and experience I gained helped me to work my way up and gave me the confidence to apply for a position at Somerset County Council. I completed a six-month programme where I was able to demonstrate my aptitude for working within The Professional Capabilities Framework, which enabled me to apply for a Social Worker position. I was successful at my interview and, in December 2018, was offered a Social Worker role. 

How did your team and manager support you through your journey?

I joined The Sedgemoor and West Somerset Team in June 2018 and I feel blessed for being part of a supportive and caring team. I remember my first days in the office, shadowing my colleagues whilst trying to find my place. Questions like: “What are you doing here, Ramona? Do you know what you’re getting into?” bounced in my head with the thought that I will never be able to do such a “challenging job”. As the days passed, everything became clearer and more meaningful. 

I don’t have enough words to describe my team. They’re always there when I needed them. I want to say a big “thank you!” to my supervisor, a special person who believed in me and contributed to my progress and development. The rest of the team have always helped me through challenging situations in my work life.

Somerset County Council promotes and encourages regular supervision, which is extremely beneficial. However, what I love the most is that you feel supported in “rough times”. In lunch breaks and in between the phone calls or typing, you have someone to advise you, provide reassurance when you feel vulnerable, or praise your work. It makes a HUGE difference. 

Finally, any advice to for anyone thinking of applying for the return to work programme?

Go for it. It’s the greatest emotional reward you can get! It gives you the opportunity to make positive changes and discover your strengths and weaknesses. It will teach you how to cope in stressful situations, whilst building up your confidence. Although you won’t always be appreciated, you will be the person who made a positive difference to someone’s life, helped them to reach their goals, and ensured their safety and wellbeing. 

Ramona Budisan, Social Worker

“I really enjoy getting my hands on new applications so I can explore how they work.”

Did you know we have technology champions across Somerset County Council? We have a chat with one of our Tech Champs, Steve Marsh, to find out more!

Firstly, what exactly is a Tech Champ?

It’s a member of staff who volunteers to be a local point of support in their team. We test drive new tech and explore how it can help our team and the wider organisation. We work as a community with other Tech Champs to share best practice. 

What do you enjoy about it?

Getting my hands on new applications first so I can explore how they work and what their benefits are! Also, empowering staff to use the applications, ensuring they get the most out of it, and finding smarter, more collaborative ways of working. 

Tell us a bit about the new technology Somerset County Council is introducing and its benefits?

We’ve recently gone through a massive Digital Transformation, which introduced Windows 10 and Office 365 to our devices. Office 365 in conjunction with SharePoint Online has allowed more collaborative ways of working, flexibility for remote working and more of our meetings are being done virtually!

How does it fit around your role?

We’re encouraged to spend roughly 10% of our time dedicated to being a Technology Champion. I spilt my time between this and the Improving Lives Programme, and my manager’s support has been vital in helping me fulfil both roles. It’s aided my own development and given me a new outlook on how to approach my role.   

Steve Marsh, Technology Champion

“If technology can work 5 miles away, why not 500?”

Niki is a great example of what is possible. Here, she shares her story of how she was able to relocate to Scotland but remain in a role she loves. 

Tell us a little bit about yourself

I moved to Scotland in December 2018 and now divide my time each month between there and Somerset. The flexible working arrangement meant I was able to keep my job, a role I love, with Somerset County Council. I’m sharing my story of how we made it work thanks to technology, fortnightly return visits & very forward-thinking leadership. 

Having graduated with a BA Hons History Degree, I was accepted onto Somerset County Council’s Graduate Development Scheme in 2008. I worked my way up through the organisation, initially employed within children’s services, and now work as a Strategic Manager within Adult Services, responsible for Quality & Performance. 

Previously, I always worked 9 to 5 from a central office base. In the autumn of 2018, following my husband securing a new role on the west coast of Scotland, I applied for a flexible working arrangement, which was approved. I was keen to find a way to maintain continuity for both my staff and I and stay in a job I love. 

What works well?

The support and trust shown by my Director, peers and colleagues was fantastic. Initially, we set a short-term trial period to test the suitability and effectiveness of the new arrangements and had more frequent catch ups during this transition period. 

Key to the success was having a shared commitment to making it work, the right technology, planning and scheduling to reflect the demands of the job, and encouraging and being receptive to feedback. I do feel that I am more effective as fewer distractions and interruptions mean I am able to progress work more efficiently.

What are the challenges?

It can feel isolating not having colleagues physically around during the day. And dividing my time between Scotland and Somerset means I am living away from home regularly each month.

There remains some stigma attached to home-working, although this is improving; similarly, it is not always feasible or practical for everyone and needs to be balanced with organisational needs.

What are your top tips for remote working?

1. Be open-minded. The way we work is changing and can change. 
2. Attend your office base, when you can, to benefit from the aspects you miss while you’re away and to maintain a physical presence.
3. Although never flattering, do embrace the video function on Skype. It’s much more inclusive and engaging to see people and be seen.
4. Be disciplined and set boundaries: I’ve found it really helpful to maintain a clear routine to my day, so I still get up at the same time as I would have done previously and I continue to dress professionally to receive video calls. It helps to feel in ‘work mode’ and have a structure when working from home but is also important to ‘shut the door’ on a day’s work, even when technology allows you to be accessible 24/7.

I really hope this blog has helped people reflect on the art of the possible.

Niki Shaw

“It’s not always an easy role, but I still find it immensely rewarding.”

My name is Catherine O’Donnell, and I am one of five Housing Occupational Therapists working across Somerset. I qualified in my early 30s and had my son just as I graduated so was really grateful to Somerset County Council for taking me on part-time as a newly qualified Occupational Therapist eight months later! 

A secondment opportunity came up seven years ago to work as a Housing Occupational Therapist, and I jumped at it as I had always had an interest and passion for the housing side of the job. I previously covered the South Somerset area for five years and now cover closer to home in Taunton and West Somerset.

Housing Occupational Therapists work in partnership across housing and Adult Social Care, which makes the job varied and challenging. We largely take on complex housing adaptations and cases where alternative housing is the only option supporting people through these transitions.

What makes working in this area special?

The best part of my role is the variety and the large amounts of people contact. I firmly believe housing has a vital part to play in enabling people to maximise their function and live a fulfilled life – being a small part of helping them achieve this is special to me.

What is the most challenging part of your role?

The role is not without conflict. Sometimes, it’s challenging housing policies that don’t help clients progress, and sometimes, like my example day, it’s communicating difficult decisions and compromise positions to service users who have already made more compromises than most in their lives. It’s not always an easy role, but I still find it immensely rewarding.

What is your advice to those thinking of applying?

You’ll need detailed knowledge of housing legislation, Disabled Facilities Grants and, vitally, complex adaptation work. Great communication skills are key when working with such a wide range of people and organisations. The role is varied and challenging and requires someone with drive and passion.

Catherine O’Donnell, Housing Occupational Therapists

If you want to join Catherine, take a look at our current Occupational Therapy roles in Housing or contact Paulette Baker, our Principal Occupational Therapist on 07976 693 739.

A day in the life of a Housing Occupational Therapist in Adult Social Care

My name is Catherine O’Donnell, and I am one of five Housing Occupational Therapists working across Somerset. Let me take you through a typical day:

8.30am: Start working at home. Phone call from service user who has bid on properties and is facing eviction, so rather fraught. Look on Homefinder Somerset to see that they are top of the shortlist. Difficult as I don’t control the list, but, having developed a relationship with the service user, I see it as my job to try and navigate them through the process Sometimes, that’s just being a listening ear. Promise to phone housing association to check progress.

9.00am: Familiarise myself with government policy document on Housing for Older and Disabled People ahead of a meeting with the Council’s new enabling team later in the week. Hoping to try and push the case for creative approaches for some of my families whose housing is inadequate but for whom Homefinder Somerset (Choice Based Lettings) traditionally does not have the right accommodation. All Housing Occupational Therapists keep a register of involvements to evidence these needs, which has become essential with changes to building regulations.

9.35am: Try and reach Housing Association – leave a message. Quick bit of paperwork, including a summary letter to a client where the Disabled Facilities Grant has had to change and compromises have been made – not an easy letter, but essential to be clear about what can still be offered. Also include information on signposting to local hydrotherapy pool, as we could not meet the need for a bath and wet room in the home and this might be something the family want to explore privately.

10.00am: Demonstration at Somerset Independence Plus of the new Gerberit toilet. A chance to gain more knowledge of products and discuss a couple of cases with the Rep. Thinking of how the new Bluetooth voice activation might help a new spinal injury case I have just picked up – if such equipment is appropriate — as very little hand function.

11.15am: Quick case discussion with Grants colleagues to get advice on a complex extension where family want to help with the build. This is new territory for me, so I want to get some more facts before meeting the family and raising any expectations.

12.00pm: Work from home. Paperwork and emails, including advice to rehabilitation team and housing colleagues on how to progress their cases.

2.00pm: Joint visit with Housing Officer, as my case looks on paper like it might result in a conversation around rehousing – the property is under-occupied and landlord is unlikely to agree to major adaptations. However, in reality the adaptations are minor so achievable by another route. I drive away relieved that better function can be achieved without putting the family through greater upheaval.

2.45pm: Phone service user to ask if I can pop in and make a couple of calls/answer emails in the car before visiting.

3.00pm: Visit service user and explain why we are unable to proceed with a Disabled Facilities Grant in this instance, following a feasibility visit last week with stairlift company and technical officer. Service user is understandably frustrated at the thought of a move. Discussed this at some length. Leave with a list of actions to follow-up on to support moving this case forwards. My initial thoughts on the home had always been a move, but it has taken a great deal of time to get to this point of decision and acceptance for the service user. Feels a difficult outcome, as rehousing will not be quick either.

3.45pm: Back into the main office for the first time today. A couple of colleagues need to talk through complex cases, including an update on one for my meeting with the Enabling team, so this is helpful information.

4.10pm: Read through cases ahead of Extra Care Housing conference call I’m chairing tomorrow morning. Also get back to a Social Work colleague with advice on whether it is suitable to progress a particular applicant. Read through allocation cases for Disabled Facilities Grant meeting tomorrow, so that I have a clear idea of priority and can advocate for allocation if there is a waiting list. Last minute email to Housing Occupational Therapist colleague who is co-chairing the meeting to share my thoughts.

Catherine O’Donnell, Housing Occupational Therapists

If you want to join Catherine, take a look at our current Occupational Therapy roles in Housing or contact Paulette Baker, our Principal Occupational Therapist on 07976 693 739.