Karen Blake, Head of Service – Permanence and Fostering
I came to work in Plymouth as a Children’s Social Worker in May 2007 and have benefited from a great deal of training, professional development and opportunities for career progression which has meant I have stayed here in Plymouth for over 16 years.
After a couple of years as a social worker I took a secondment as an Independent Chair and subsequently was appointed into this post, where I stayed for five years. Plymouth City Council supported my me through a leadership and management course and when I felt ready, I moved across to a Team Manager post in Fostering.
My next steps took me back to where my career started, becoming a Team Manager in the Permanence Service. Over the next few years, the opportunity arose to become Service Manager in Permanence and finally be appointed to my current role as Head of Service 18 months ago.
I have always felt supported and valued here - I have been afforded development and progression opportunities to achieve and at times exceed my own aspirations!
Being able to stick with the children and young people we care for throughout their journey is an absolute privilege, something that drives me professionally and rewards me every day.
The Permanence and Fostering Services are like a family; not just for the children and young people we care for and the foster carers who care for them but for the staff too. Many of the social workers, personal advisors and managers have worked in Plymouth and within these services for a long time. They are an incredibly committed, caring and tenacious group of staff – an incredible team to work with. Everyone strives to improve the services we provide for our children, young people, families and carers and to support our children and young people to achieve the very best outcomes they can. I am extremely proud to work in Plymouth with such fantastic colleagues.
I both live and work in Plymouth. In 2007 I moved back to the South West after growing up in Cornwall and it was never my intention to stay… but here I am 16 years later having made my life in Plymouth. I describe Plymouth as a small city with a big heart, it’s a strong community, vibrant and growing all the time. Who wouldn’t
want to live in a city bordered on one side by the sea and the other by a National Park, so close to Cornwall and with such an interesting history?
Working in Plymouth while living here means that I feel meaningfully engaged in making my home a better place to live.