business support

social worker

support worker

administrative officer

social work supervisor

KENT COUNTY COUNCIL

I have worked at Kent County Council for 14 years with Education, Social Services and currently within the Registration Service - for marriages.

A typical day at work would be the booking and processing of marriages.  Taking legal notices of marriage to facilitate marriage.  Preparing all the legal paperwork for ceremonies.  Advising customers face to face or on the telephone of the process of booking a marriage.  The environment is a very busy office with emphasis being on the planning of marriages at register offices and outside wedding venues.  Once a week I have undertaken the checking of nationality document applications.  

I have learnt many skills and have gained excellent customer service skills with regular positive feedback from colleagues and customers.  Working as part of the team it has been essential to be a proficient communicator, handing over outstanding tasks and ensuring the wedding planning process is streamlined by the whole team.

Whilst registering marriages, it is imperative to abide by processes and procedures according to legislation.  Attention to detail and accuracy are paramount to this role.

We have a happy team culture, always supportive of each other.

The hardest part of the job has been the nationality checking service.  As a document checker it is not possible to assist customers regarding the immigration side of their application as we are not trained in this role.  It has been necessary at times to have some very difficult conversations, but this is now second nature to me.

The most enjoyable part of the role has been meeting some very interesting people.  Working with a very good team.  Conducting or registering someone's marriage whether at a venue, register office or as an end of life ceremony has been extremely fulfilling.

A typical day: A combination of supporting and visiting people, writing up endless notes and attending meetings, many of them there was no need to be at. Often fast and furious, never 2 days alike,

What I learned: if you question a system that is numbers driven, poor in following good practice and not providing the Care Act requirements it should, you are penalised for raising it.

Management:  Poor quality, unsupported if you don’t comply with them, lacking in knowledge about key policies and good practice.

Workplace Culture: if you fit and are a yes man/women, you’ll be OK, if you are not it’s going to impact on your mental health and they will do all they can to move you on. 

Hardest part of job: Getting the right support, denying clients the dignity to choose the care they request. It can take time to build trust and a relationship with clients, this is frowned upon because it doesn’t move the client on quick enough. I felt set up to fail. Being expected to do the same amount of qualified colleagues and being put at risk, due to lack of risk management.

Most enjoyable part of job: The colleagues that did all they could to support me but sadly working in a system where the community you are paid to serve, receive poor quality care.

My future: Social Work is no longer for me and I am not surprised that so many are leaving the profession. Perhaps I just had the bad luck of being in the wrong placement. I miss some of my fellow team but numbers and cost before people and care, I can’t be part of that.


Worked as part of the Mobile Communication team in ICT's Service Desk department providing support and training to BlackBerry/Smartphone users across KCC directorates.

• Configure Blackberry/Smartphone devices to ICT service level targets.
• Respond to BlackBerry/Smartphone fault calls logged with the ICT Service Desk. Aim to resolve faults in line with ICT service level targets.
• Provide 1-1 training sessions to Blackberry/Smartphone users to defined procedures.
• Provide mass training sessions of up to 15 customers.
• Log, update and resolve calls using ICT’s call management system.
• Maintain up to date and accurate information in the BlackBerry/Smartphone asset management database in line with defined procedures.
• Assist with maintaining the BlackBerry/Smartphone knowledgebase of known fixes, errors and workarounds.
• Process emails to the Mobile Communication team mailbox relevant to the role and provide support to other team members when required.
• Setup SSL (Secure Socket Layer) tokens and provide training to new users of the service.
• Assist with processing orders for BlackBerry/smartphone devices using ICT systems and Oracle iProc.
• Monitor deliveries of devices against outstanding orders.
• Resolve BlackBerry, 3G dongle, mobile phone, RDA, Kent Text fault calls logged with the ICT Service Desk.
• Monitor and answer queries sent to the BlackBerry Support, Mobile Support, RDA Support mailboxes.
• Train any new Mobile Communications Engineers and ensure work meets existing standards, updating procedures as necessary to maintain and improve the service.

Look, if your face fits and you have the right connections in KCC you will climb the ladder very quickly. I have seen good people broken by this "corporation", i have witnessed many changes and seen a lot of wasted talent.  I have seen consultancy firms get contracts of over 5 million pounds to make cuts and changes only to have all the cuts rendered meaningless as they revert back to the old ways of working. 

A typical day at work includes dealing with someone else's cases (due to the amount of long term sick) then you will get to yours. The workload is relentless, if you mention you are struggling to cope with the amount of work they will tell you with a straight face to "manage your calendar better". Not to worry though as you will see the managers favorites get reduced caseloads. 

Whatever you do, never mention pay at work, the managers are trained to isolate you and make you feel you are mad for asking for fair pay or the chance to get a promotion. On the subject of promotion, expect the managers to pretend there's a chance of rising up the ranks if you get on the mythical apprenticeship schemes. Do not be fooled though the places on the course were chosen way before you even had the chance to apply. 

The work itself has moments of satisfaction sometimes you get a good result for a client who really needs it.  The hardest part of the job is the forms before people attitude of the managers and other teams. The systems they use to input  paperwork are maddening. 

I have worked within Kent County Council for nearly two years now and I have gained soo much relevant experience for someone who wants to work in an office environment. I work within a local Children's Centre and enjoy having the opportunity to meet and greet various visitors and client's for all different reasons and being able to answer any queries that they may have, for example; asking what certain groups maybe about etc. 

The challenging part of this job is being the first point of contact for those visitor's who maybe be a little distressted and a bit upset however, with a couple past experience's such as; dealing with a family that were linked with social services and were upset and a little angry, I have learnt to talk to them in a calm and professional manner to defuse the situation. I am always polite, friendly and professional to all the clients and visitor's to the Children's Centre. 

I work with an excellent, friendly and professional team that include co-workers with various professional backgrounds including; midwives, health visitors and family support workers. 

In summary, since working for Kent County Council, I have become confident in dealing with clients and visitors on a day to day basis. It has given me the great opportunity to start a career within an Administrative/Receptionist role.

I worked here for 6 years, with some great colleagues and can say it was with these people I will always appreciate. Working in the Adult Social Care was at times stressful and complex but this was the job and in doing it, in seeing the positives it made it worthwhile.
Sadly following some difficult personal battles, the death of two young friends, I gave myself a break and decided to take on a year long job which gave me time to learn a lot more.
The skills I had learnt, the training received I always believed it would be possible to return, and I thought I had until a former manager, who had made some derogatory remarks previously decided to give a negative reference and my offer was withdrawn.
You can give you all for KCC, and it’s not appreciated. I received good appraisals every year but Everything I did, it counted for nothing. Most who work here are lovely but sadly they still employ those who have no respect for the company values, less value for a team member who was supportive at difficult times. Sad to say the company I could so give 5 out 5 in most categories, I can’t even give a 1 because one bad apple and all you have is revolting vinegar.

My role is to promote health and wellbeing to our 45,000 staff. Using initiiative and managing my budget wisely,I tend to start at 7 ish, allowing myself time to clear any emails received overnight. Make sure budgets and paperwork are upto date before the day begins.
I have introduced osteopathy, chiropody and many other alternative therapy to our venues accross the county. We have employee screening, involving prostate cancer, osteoporosis and cardivascular checks over the County ensuring staff are treated fair. I have also worked hard to get our occupational health involved and now work in partnership with the NHS. I also carry out envoronmental audits on venues across the county ensring they comply with regulations. I also organise wellbein events in our bigger venues involving colleagues. I always ensure i can give colleagues what they need. I love helping people, and if there is an issue i can't resolve, i will seek advice and get any situation completed and ensure they client (or staff) are happy. I have also been trained to carry out blood and cholestoral check and also lung testing. Its a good way of getting ut there to see colleagues and put a name to a face.

My day is manic, however, it's all about prioritising and remembering that I am only one person and management support this ethos. I joined the company in November 2023 as an administration officer and as of January 2024 I am now in a management position line managing 4 members of staff of the same team I originally joined. The team could not have been more supportive of me as a new member of staff and of my step up to management level. The benefits are amazing, I have joined Kent rewards and take full advantage of that and I also joined a gym at a considerably discounted rate. To say I am happy is an understatement, I feel like I'm home and I have an extended family their to give me the support that I need. Work life balance is amazing, I have 3 children that I am spending more time with now than I have in a very long time. I could write for days about the vast benefits that are available. Just know that if you are in 2 minds, give it a go as I am convinced you won't regret it. 

Unfortunately the managerial culture towards social work assistants is very abusive. Gas lighting, diempowering and narcissisisn seems to be the new standard for how managers manage people. There is no interest, investment or developement in the SWA role. It is a cold, detached business environment in a service area of highest vulnerability and need. Proffesional and Human empathy, dignity and respect towards service users are curiously treated with disapproval and suspicion as though you are a traitor to the cause!!
High personal resilience and selfesteem is an essential requirement if you are considering working in this area, be aware, you're greatest threat comes from within the organisation itself, not from the risk assessed people you serve. 

I thoroughly enjoyed my time with KCC and sad that I had to leave due to relocation. the team in Dover were like a big family and everyone pulled together during the covid 19 changes. I did experience a period of stress with my work load, and disturbance with one manager to the point it needed a mediation meeting. I was then taken on by a different line manager who could not have done more to help you. very supportive kind and dedicated after this change I thrived in the work and enjoyed doing it much more with the team rather than struggling alone. I will miss working there and would recommend to anyone considering a role with KCC.

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