social worker

senior social worker

teaching assistant

mental health technician

learning support assistant

Bracknell-Forest-Council

I have worked at Bracknell for over five years as a contracts manager/client for environmental services.

When I first started, I was amazed at how behind they were with regards to operational procedures and their attitude to health and safety.

It took me a long time to change that dismissive culture and bring in some up-to-date practices and then I could concentrate on the finances of the contract which was no easy task.

As you would expect, there is a lot of red tape to try and get through in local authority and it's not helped by departments working in silos however, I have learnt a lot from my time at Bracknell and like to think that when I leave, I would have left my service area in a much better position and I hope we have exceeded the public's expectations in terms of service and quality.

With respect to the constraints of budgets and always having to justify your role (this was not such an issue in my department, but definitely in others). I enjoyed my short time there and had to leave for personal reasons. The team I worked with were friendly and helpful. The downside was that overtime had to be approved at senior management/ director level (so basically not approved). I also regularly did more than my contracted hours. They did have flexi time, but this was difficult to manage for myself, as the rest of the team booked their time off months in advance.

An average day consists of liaising with other departments, contractors, councillors and customers on a daily basis. In my role I have learned a considerable of new information in regard to waste collection and the processes that take place behind the scenes, as well as how different contracts are managed and implemented. The culture of the workplace is very tight knit and laid back and there is good communication across all teams. The hardest part of the job is dealing with sensitive issues in regards to the services we offer.

What is the best part of working at the company?
Amazing and supportive  culture. Very inclusive and one where you are supported to grow as a professional 


What is the most stressful part about working at the company?
The nature of social work on its own is stressful 

What is the work environment and culture like at the company?
This is the best work environment I have ever been in. Supportive, warm, inclusive culture especially in the family placement team.

I am disappointed to say that this has been one of the most challenging and discouraging workplaces I have encountered.
 Overall, the discrimination and mistreatment I have experienced here are unlike anything I have seen in other workplaces.

Management is not flexible. Poor support for ethnic minority groups. Management does not understand employee needs. Language used by management is coercive and lacks respect for the  experience and diversity workers bring to teams. I found the team invested in their own old work patterns that they were not willing to change with the times. Poor response to changes from management.

Good place to work. Only a temp there but it's a good enviroment. There is no pressure to get in at certain times depending what your work involves. I had to take extra half an hour lunch due to something and manager allowed it as long as it was made up.

Co workers are a nice bunch of people.

A lunch cart comes twice a day if anyone wants sandwiches from it etc.

BFC are very forward thinking in ensuring that employees have a positive work/life balance. 

Changes are currently underway which have resulted in management changes. BFC have tried to communicate these to staff in an efficient way. Occasionally, communication to staff could have been better but this is being rectified.

Excellent opportunity to work in innovative ways with families - reduced case loads, adult workers co-working cases all leading to better outcomes for children and families.

Great Local Authority - managers are supportive but allow individual creativity and plenty of opportunity for career advancement.

worked for BFC for many years it used to be a great place to work.  Unfortunately  Now Untrained / poor management  and not a good place to work. Bullying rife and ignored By HR.  To many things get brushed aside, sickness of staff high due to poor management and not listening to staff.

Top Job Titles	Average salary
Social worker 26 salaries reported	£47,686 per year
Senior social worker 17 salaries reported	£51,396 per year
Teaching assistant 1 salary reported	£19,939 per year
Mental health technician 3 salaries reported	£47,981 per year
Learning support assistant 15 salaries reported	£14,860 per year

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