We’ve been ‘beary’ busy over the last few weeks recognising and celebrating some outstanding work made by professionals, carers and parents in children’s life journey work.

An adoptive child’s Life Journey Framework plays a significant role in aiding a sense of identity and helps enormously in creating stability during periods of transition.

Josie Slee WBAS Life Journey Framework Officer said, “Children who have been in the care system or who have been adopted need to understand their current situation and make sense of their past in order to move forward.

“All children who are unable to be cared for by their birth families should have an understanding of their family history and unique journey. Their life journey material’s should support their identity, good mental health and wellbeing and give the child a sense of belonging.”

A panel made up of professionals and WBAS management deliberated over entries across categories made up of contributions by social workers, foster carers and adopters.

Swansea Council staff Nerys Monaghan, Practice Lead from Penderry Locality Team and Lauren Riley, a Social Worker from Swansea Council’s Family and Friends Team were joint first winners of the social workers category.

Social Worker Sam Williams and WBAS Family Finder Laura Fitzgerald both won special commendations for their work.

Lauren said, “I feel absolutely privileged to be awarded this when there are so many incredible social workers who put their heart and soul into their work. My passion came from feeling that all children deserve the best life journey work we can give them, particularly when we know that their identities are shaped by the people around them.”

Nerys said,  “I am chuffed to bits to receive even a nomination!- its lovely to see Social Work celebrated as ALL the social workers I know work tirelessly and so incredibly hard for the children they support- they all deserve a prize!

“It was lovely to undertake the transition work with a child and see them develop a clearer understanding of their journey and their feelings. They responded in such a lovely way to the resources and transition plans.”

Julie Davies Swansea Council Head of Child and Family Services said, “This is well deserved recognition of our talented staff in Child and Family Services and WBAS. The direct work undertaken by Nerys, Sam, Lauren and Laura with children on their life journey has been recognised as having a huge and positive impact on our children who are placed for adoption.

“I am very proud of their achievement and equally proud to say they work for Swansea Child and Family Services.”

Foster Carer Chris from Bridgend was also commended for her sterling work with a number of children who she has looked after, supporting fantastic introductions between children and adopters and providing warmth and stability to children when it’s been needed the most.

There were joint winners in our Foster Carer category and other winners in our Adopter and Family Member categories who will shortly receive a celebratory certificate in the post.  We can’t thank all our winners and commendations enough for the difference they make to children’s lives!

WBAS mascot Teulu the Bear made a special, socially distanced visit to each of the winners to celebrate and present a certificate, look out for more #TeluTime over the summer at events and gatherings near you!

To find out more about our range of support services please click here.

To speak to someone about your child’s life journey work please click here.

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