Next in our Meet the Team series is Paula Lush, Fostering and Supported Lodgings Placement Coordinator. We sat down with Paula to learn more about her role and what inspired her to work for Step by Step.
How long have you worked at Step by Step for?
I started here almost 11 years ago, initially working as a Tenancy Support Worker.
Could you tell us a bit about your current role here?
In this role I work on lots of different things, mostly behind the scenes nowadays. I help HR with DBS checks for Supported Lodgings and Fostering and do all the Host reviews for Supported Lodgings. Also, I work alongside Sarah Luke in Fostering, doing paperwork checks and gathering information for the service, in addition to my day to day admin tasks.
What did you do before you came to work at Step by Step?
When my children were younger, I started working part-time at a charity called UB40 Homeless Project in Hawley in a similar role to coordinating Supported Lodgings. Then I took on my first full-time job after having children, working at Hart Housing as a homelessness officer. I also spent six years working in the same role at Rushmoor Borough Council. After taking a short break, I then worked as a District Manager at the Citizens Advice Bureau before coming to Step by Step.
What was the inspiration behind working in the area you do?
I achieved a youth work qualification working part-time when my children were young. Always worked with young people over the years and I preferred working for charities than Local Authorities. I wanted to get back into charity work and heard there was a vacancy at Step by Step, which I knew was a great organisation to work for.
What’s the best thing about working for Step by Step?
Always being able to work flexibly around my life, this was useful when the kids were younger and now with my grandkids. I also like the trust you’re given here to get on with your work and the freedom we have to express ideas and have those ideas be taken on board. The camaraderie of the team is another thing I love, everyone supports each other and when new people join they always fit the team really well.
What has been the most challenging thing?
When I was working face to face with the young people, it was challenging seeing the hoops they had to jump through, but the rewards have always outweighed the challenges.
Outside of work, how do you spend your time?
I’m very family oriented so I spend a lot of time with my grandchildren and enjoy going out to celebrate birthdays and other events with the family. I’ve also recently bought a campervan and tend to go away for the weekend after work on Thursday evenings. Reading is another of my hobbies and I love to be outdoors taking my dog on long walks.
What might people be surprised to find out about you?
When I was 16, just two days after I had left school, I flew to the Netherlands and became a cheese farmer. I loved seeing the farming way of life and making cheese from scratch but moved home two years later and didn’t stay in the industry!
If you’re interested in starting your foster care journey, or would like more information, Paula and the rest of our friendly team are always here to support you.
Contact us here today.