The latest edition of our Meet the Team series features our Supervising Social Worker, Sue Collier. We interviewed Sue to learn more about her busy roles at Step by Step and what inspired her to work with young people.
When did you join the Step by Step Team?
I started working here on the 22nd of July this year, so I’ve been here for 3 months now.
What is your current role here…
I actually work a hybrid of two roles. I work 22.5 hours a week for the Swindon Supported Lodgings team and 15 hours for the Fostering team, covering Wiltshire and Dorset.
What did you do before joining Step by Step?
I am an experienced social worker and spent many years working for Swindon Local Authority. My role was in the Positive Futures Care Experienced service, helping looked after children on their path to adulthood and independence.
What inspires you to work in the area you do?
Madness! I have always enjoyed working with teenagers and like the idea of working with hosts, foster carers and teenagers together to build on the Step by Step service.
What’s the best thing about working for Step by Step?
I love the whole ethos of Step by Step. Everyone has a shared goal to do the best possible for every young person, foster carer and host. I also appreciate the way Step by Step really looks after their staff.
What’s the most challenging thing?
For me, it’s juggling two roles. Especially since both cover areas that are trying desperately to recruit foster carers and hosts.
What do you think is the biggest misconceptions about fostering?
The idea that foster carers have no choice on whether to accept a child or not. Foster carers have a lot of input in placements and don’t have to open their home to children they don’t feel are suitably matched. There is a variety of young people waiting to be fostered, and a variety of foster care roles from respite care to parent and child fostering.
When you’re not working, how do you spend your time?
I enjoy doing a bit of gardening and have a motorhome that I try and get out and about in whenever I can. Outside of work I’m also a carer for my mum. My 6 stepchildren and 23 grandchildren and great grandchildren also keep me busy- to say the least!
What might people be surprised to find out about you?
For most of my 20s I worked as a taxi driver, and actually already knew one of our Supported Lodgings Hosts through that as I worked for her ex-husbands company. Swindon has changed a lot over the years, so I don’t recognise a lot of new road names. However, I’m still a bit like a homing pigeon, always remembering how to get back home even if it’s my first time going somewhere!
If you’re interested in opening your heart and home to a young person in need and would like more information, Sue and the rest of our friendly team are always here to help.