Dream job for social workers

15 June 2010

A social worker who moved from America to work in Kent has said her new job is a "dream come true."

Pilar Reyna, 41, moved more than 3,000 miles from Miami, Florida, to work in Thanet for Kent County Council’s children’s social services department. Pilar and fellow social worker Jill Ferrell, 52, from Texas, moved to Kent with 25 other workers who were hired by KCC following a recruitment drive in Boston at the end of last year. Four months into the job, both reflect on their move from the US to the UK.

She said:

“My first impression was that England was great. Cold, but beautiful, with lots of green and open spaces. I am just not used to that, coming from Miami it is a huge city so you don't get that much countryside so that was really wonderful.  From the moment I landed in Gatwick I felt that I was taken care of. My time here started with a two week  induction and it was fabulous. We had plenty of time to deal with finding a place to live, which was a main concern for all of us. Most of us had never been here, don't know anybody here and don't have any family and friends. Finding a place was also a concern because I was bringing my dog over. I was told it was going to be difficult but I read that English people love their dogs a lot so it wasn't really a problem. I have been very impressed with the level of professionalism and support form KCC.

"It is the same type of job here as I was doing in the US. It can be a difficult job. It was a big decision to make but it has turned out to be a dream come true. I get to do the job that I love. I love to work with families, and I get to live in a gorgeous beautiful area here in England. To me it has been the marriage of two wonderful things; one my career and two my love of travel, so to me I am living my dream.

“Every social worker I know is in it because they want to help people. I've always wanted to help children.  They don't choose what family they are born into. They have no voice so we are their voice, we speak for them, we protect them. I like to know that I am helping, even if I help one person then I fulfil my purpose in life. It can be a difficult job, but it is the most rewarding job I can ever imagine having.”

Jill lives in Sevenoaks and works in west Kent. She said: 

“You don't really know what it will be like, moving to a new country, new culture and different government. What I have found that has helped a lot is that the social work profession, the values and the ethics, are the same whether I am working in Texas where I am from or in west Kent. We still have the same values and it is still the questions of what is best for a child and family.  I think we all realise as social workers that it is difficult. But one thing we can depend on is each other being there to support one another.

“People who go into social work are naturally interested in people, that is what draws people to social work and the opportunity to take that and explore a different culture is a once in a lifetime opportunity. I was attracted to become a social worker because it was the desire to help people. It really is why people go into social work, to be able to make a positive impact on society and I have always worked with children and families. Children don't get to choose who their parents are or grandparents.”

Sarah Hohler, Cabinet Member for Children, Families and Education at Kent County Council, said:

"They are bringing new ideas and new experience and are thoroughly enjoying living and working Kent. I think that by bringing people in from a different country they bring a different perspective and have fresh ideas and knowledge about different ways of working, yet at the same time they share the same values and beliefs.”

Please view the video about social worker recruitment from the US for more information (video length: 2:39 minutes).