Somerset County Council

I have worked at Somerset CC for 5 years in total, with a break of a year in between 2 jobs.

I have worked in both Children’s Social Care and now work in Mental Health Social Care. I left Children’s Social Care to pursue a career more focused around mental health, however soon realised that I missed being a Social Worker in a statutory organisation and came back to Somerset CC and joined the Mental Health Social Care team as a Social Worker.

In terms of the speciality I work within, I have learnt huge amounts of new knowledge and continue to do so!

What I love about Somerset CC, is that individual progression is very much promoted and tailored to how you wish to develop yourself.

I have been lucky to have the opportunities to develop into a management role since joining the council again and this has been a great learning curve for me and gives me more motivation to continue with my onward career goals!

It is a demanding job but the support and positive work culture makes it a great place to work.

My job is fast paced and this works well for me, it keeps the job exciting and new challenges to tackle!

Work life balance is very promoted in my work culture, so it is difficult to specify the ‘hardest’ parts as there is someone to talk to when needed and supervision is a core part of our practice in Social Care at Somerset CC.

A big thing I have learnt over the last few years is that we have the opportunity to make an impact and turn the more difficult situations into something positive and this can boost personal and team morale significantly. Putting that time and effort into our practice and working relationships pays off!

I’ve worked for SCC for seventeen years and have worked my way up from being an admin assistant to a manager of a very small but efficient team working within adults and health social care finance. In a typical day, we deal with many customer queries as we are quite front facing even though we work within finance. It is fast paced and busy with no two days being the same. It can be challenging but I like that. I have found my senior management team to be very supportive and flexible. There is always opportunities for training and development as well advancing through the company. It is very satisfying to know what my team and I do is making a difference.

Pros

Flexible working, Supportive, Good work and home life balance, Great team mentality but little micro management, Sense of pride in making a difference

Cons

Can be stressful, Crazy busy, Can feel a sense of responsibility as a representative of the council

4 weeks into working for Somerset county council and the difference in my work/life balance is amazing.

The help and support received is top class and everyone is so friendly and willing to listen and help even when extremely busy.

Am loving my new job and everyone I have met and worked with so far.

Pros

Work life balance

Somerset are always looking at ways to improve; training opportunities are available and workers are encouraged to develop. I feel able to have a good work/life balance, and am really pleased with the management team. Caseloads are extremely manageable, the area we work in (Taunton) is lovely, and morale amongst our team is high.

Pros

Training opportunities, good work/life balance, satisfactory pay

I have worked for SCC for 6 years and in that time they have really invested in my personal development, as a result I started as a newly qualified worker and am now part of the management team. I have really felt part of the SCC journey.

Pros

Investment in your future

Cons

Sometimes lots of pressure but this is fine if you like to rise to a challenge