Adult's Social Care: What our staff say

Kirsty Littlewood: Assistant Director Adult Care and Integration

If you are passionate about enabling people to live safe, independent and healthy lives, within their communities and with the people they value, then we would love for you to join us in Rotherham.

In return we will ensure you have access to the training, support and opportunities which enable you to be an outstanding social carer.

Sally Morris-Shaw: Head of Service for Localities Teams

I joined Rotherham Council as Principal Social Carer for Adults in 2018. I have been inspired by the great relationships within our staff teams and their commitment to supporting people in the Borough.

Our teams are based over two worksites and include both vocationally qualified staff and social carers with a range of experience. Rotherham is a great place to practice social care and our Localities teams enable our staff to get the widest range of social care experience.

The working environment and relationships we have with the people we work with are strong and supportive. I feel privileged to work with dedicated staff teams who work really hard to support adults in the Borough lead the lives they aspire to.

If you are looking for a new challenge and to be part of something special, please get in touch with me or one of our Team Managers to have a chat about applying for one of our roles.

Rebecca Wilson: Principal Social Worker

I’m delighted that you are interested in working in Rotherham. Our Adult Social Care service is a great place to work and to develop your career.

Social care in Rotherham is changing and we are setting out our vision and values for how we practice as we are passionate our Social Carers make a difference to people’s lives. We use a Strengths based approach as our practice framework and focus on the quality of our relationships with people to help and support them to live a better life.

If you join us, you will be supported to develop your career through our comprehensive learning and development offer, so if you believe you can commit to the people of Rotherham, Rotherham Council is a great place to work. You absolutely get out of the job what you put in.

Esther: Assessment and Review Co-ordinator

Dedicated Social Carer with 30 Years of Service: Navigating Change and Enhancing Lives in Rotherham's Localities Team

As an experienced Social Carer in Rotherham's Localities team, I've worked for the council for 30 years, and my commitment to enhancing the lives of others has never waned. While the job has gone through many changes during this time, from the creation of Social Service Officers to the current role of Assessment and Review Coordinator, my dedication to helping Rotherham residents has remained constant.

The job's constant evolution through changing demographics and new legislation, such as the Care Act 2014, has kept me on my toes and my passion for the role undimmed. It's challenging but rewarding work, and I've enjoyed working in various teams over the years, accessing high-quality training to support our customers. The supportive line management team at Rotherham Council has cared about me as a professional and an individual throughout, which is why I wouldn't want to work anywhere else.

Luke: Assessment and Review Co-ordinator

Adapting to Change: An Assessment and Review Coordinator's Journey

I work as an Area Assessment and Review Co-ordinator in the Localities. I've had the opportunity to work in various services within the council, and after working at another organization, I returned as an assessment and review coordinator in November 2021.

At first, I was worried about adjusting to the role during the pandemic, but my manager and colleagues have been incredibly supportive, both in person and through technology. They have helped me to learn and settle into the position with ease. I was also able to start working with customers gradually and at a comfortable pace.

I've completed several training sessions that have been helpful in my role, and I have more lined up, including hoarding awareness and safeguarding. Every day, I face different situations when working with the public, and the training and experience gained have been invaluable. The role is fast-paced, but also incredibly rewarding.

Claire: Integrated Discharge Team

Integrated Discharge Team: Where Professional Development Meets Supportive Team Culture

I started as an agency social carer who started with the Integrated Discharge Team. From day one, I felt welcomed and supported by the team, and when I became a permanent social carer in March 2020, it was the best decision I could have made.

One of the great things about working at the council is the learning and development opportunities available. I was able to start my Practice Educator course and have received lots of support from my team manager and colleagues. I’ve also had access to training to help me progress in my role and keep up with my continuing professional development.

But it’s not just the professional development that makes IDT stand out. We’re a supportive team who look out for each other both inside and outside of work. And let’s not forget the office refreshment trolley, which is always a welcome sight!

Working with the Integrated Discharge Team has been an amazing experience, and I’m grateful for the opportunity to work with such a fantastic team.

Huggins: AYSE Locality Team

Thriving as a Newly Qualified Social Carer: My Experience with the Supportive South Locality Team

As a newly qualified social carer, I was thrilled to have the opportunity to work with the South Locality Team. The team provided me with a two-week induction, during which I shadowed experienced social carers and other teams, helping me to understand the structure and context of the work. This induction helped to give structure to my first two weeks, making me feel like a valuable member of the team right from the start.

Since then, I have received regular supervision, and support from my managers has been available whenever I've needed it. The team has been very supportive, and I have felt very comfortable reaching out for help and guidance whenever I needed it.

I am now undertaking my ASYE, and I feel quite confident about what is involved, thanks to the training and support I have received from the team. I would wholeheartedly recommend working with the South Locality Team, as they are a committed, hard-working, and very supportive group of professionals who truly care about making a difference in the lives of the people we serve.

Paula: AYSE Locality Team

Flourishing: My Experience with the South Locality Team

As a recent graduate of the social care apprenticeship program, I am thrilled to have joined the South Locality Team. The team provided me with an excellent 2-week induction, during which I had the opportunity to shadow experienced social carers and other teams, helping me to understand the structure and context of the work. This helped me to feel like a valuable member of the team from the very beginning.

Regular supervision and support from managers have been available to me whenever I needed it, and I have felt comfortable reaching out for help and guidance whenever necessary. I am currently undertaking my ASYE and feel quite confident about what is involved, thanks to the support I have received from the team.

I would highly recommend working with the South Locality Team, as they are a committed, hard-working, and supportive group of professionals who truly care about making a difference in the lives of the people they serve. Overall, my experience with the council has been fantastic, and I look forward to continued learning and growth opportunities.

Katie: Team Manager, Localities

Hi, I’m Katie and I am a Team Manager within the Localities team. I started working at Rotherham Council in 2014 as a social carer in the adult safeguarding team. After gaining my Best Interest Assessor qualification I progressed to a senior social carer position, and now I am a team manager in the Locality area.

Rotherham Council has supported my progression through the training opportunities available such as recruitment, GDPR, strength-based supervision and safeguarding for managers. In the future, I look forward to developing my skills and knowledge through the leadership and management in social carer course provided by the South Yorkshire Teaching Partnership.

I have confidence my peers and the senior management team will support and actively encourage my development, understanding the benefits to me, my colleagues, and the vulnerable adults we work with.

Emma: Team Manager, My Front Door Team

My name is Emma and am a Team Manager in the My Front Door Team. I have worked for the council for the last two years. I was apprehensive about leaving my last role, as I had been there for a number of years.

However, since joining Rotherham I have experienced fantastic management and a supportive team culture. There was no reason for my apprehension.

From day one, I have been encouraged to achieve my goals in entering management and have attended training to further enhance my skills.