Education Advisor, Mary Adams: Meet The Team

What did you do before this role with Blue Sky Fostering?

I worked in schools for 16 years. I began as a Teaching Assistant and then progressed to an Emotional Literacy Support Assistant, providing the children with a toolkit of the basics to help them get through. And then I had the title of Behaviour Support, mostly working one-to-one with children who were really struggling, which often included children in care. Then finally, I was a Family Support Worker in a school, supporting the whole family, not just the child.
 
Then I saw this Education Support Worker role with Blue Sky Fostering. It really combines all my previous experience into one. It allows me to use all the education knowledge I've gathered over the years to help the children and young people get what they need. Working within the schools in a pastoral role, I didn’t have the power to change things, but now I have a little more influence to help children get what they need, beyond the basics of education.

What kind of things do the children and young people need?

School can be extremely challenging for a young person’s mental health. For children and young people on our TLC Programme for instance, who are the children I predominately work with, many are struggling with life and school. They might be refusing school, and that's often through anxiety. So I work with their schools to ensure the best care for our young people.
 
I’m also here for the foster carers to talk to. They often ring me to discuss issues they may be having around education with their young person. I’m equally on call for Supervising Social Workers, to help them with the educational aspect of their role. I am there to listen, understand and advise.

Do you like this current role?

Oh, I love it. I love doing it because it's rewarding. I feel like I’m doing the things that I couldn't influence from within schools previously. Now I’m able to help and influence in a greater sphere, where lots of different young people really need us. I also enjoy working remotely. I meet lots of people, but usually virtually. I enjoy that flexibility.

Is there anything you don't enjoy?

Yes - not having the final decision-making power. I understand why – it’s simply not within the scope of what I do. I advocate on behalf of Blue Sky Fostering and our foster carers, rather like a Virtual School, but whilst I have influence, I don't have the absolute decision-making power that they have;  the final decision lies between the parental responsibility, the Social Worker and the Virtual School. But if I feel that what has been agreed by the school within the final decision isn’t followed up, I’m able to chase it, and hold them to task to ensure that actions are carried out.

Wow! That’s strong stuff! What's been your favourite highlight in the role so far?

We recently had a young person who was out of school for a while. He was enrolled in a school that really didn't suit his needs. We could see that, but it takes a lot of work to get to the point where the Local Authority will agree to move them to a different school. It probably took us around a year, but that young person is now in school, loving school every day. He’s making lots of friends and is being helped and supported in his education.

What’s your dream weekend?

Oh! Well, I go sea-glass hunting and geocaching. I'm very geeky. I have a friend who I regularly go and do that with, and my kids join us when they feel like it. I’d love to make sea-glass jewellery and pictures. I've got pots of sea-glass that I’ve hunted on the beach that I haven't used yet - but I will!

What's your favourite item of clothing?

I did recently buy myself a jumper that's kind of not quite a full-on poncho, but a sleeveless jumper, essentially. I put it on again this morning and I'm not sure it suits me, so I always take it off. I haven't actually worn it out yet, but I do really like it!

What's your favourite genre of music?

I still love my nineties indie bands, as they were the background to my teenage years. So if I was asked to put a playlist on, I would choose nineties indie.

Is there anything that anyone would be surprised to know about you?

I’m absolutely terrified of jellyfish. When I was small there were massive ones in the sea. I was screaming and my dad had to come and save me. Ever since then, one little plastic bag in the ocean and I'm gone!