Social work is in my blood. Growing up, I was surrounded by it—my uncle was a social worker, my aunt adopted three children with Down’s syndrome, and my sister eventually became a social worker too. My parents started fostering when I was 13, and from that moment, my life changed.

We fostered lots of children, some close to my age and others much younger. I became “Mommy Number Two,” and while I loved the role, looking back, I realise it came at a cost. I had to grow up fast, missing out on the rebellious teenage phase many of my friends went through. But in return, I gained something invaluable: a deep understanding of trauma and its impact on children.

I saw it firsthand—the lies that weren’t lies but a survival instinct, the inconsolable cries of babies who couldn’t regulate their emotions, the secret language created between very neglected siblings who only had each other, and the push and pull from their families. I lived everything from welcoming terrified children who arrived at our door, to the heartache of saying goodbye when they moved on. One child we fostered was preparing for adoption, and I remember feeling so frustrated by the social worker’s lack of communication. I thought, I could do a better job than this.

So from the militant age of 14, I knew exactly what I wanted to be when I grew up; a Social Worker. And everything I did from that point from Saturday jobs, to work experience was about building to that vision. At 21, I qualified as the youngest social worker in my local area, and for a long time was affectionately known as ‘the Social Worker who looks about 12’! I had life experience from fostering but not much professional experience. Still, I brought with me an understanding of trauma that couldn’t be taught in textbooks.

Now, I use those experiences every day. I empathise with foster carers, knowing the depth of their insights into the children they care for. I understand the impact of trauma because I’ve lived alongside it. And I’m determined to keep building stronger partnerships between carers and social workers, so every child has the best possible chance.